Medical Director - Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit, 24-Bed Program

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Description

Unit Size: 24-Bed Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit (IRU)

Patient Population: Primarily stroke, spinal cord injury, and traumatic brain injury rehabilitation, including individuals lacking insurance or with inadequate coverage.

Position Summary

The Medical Director provides clinical, operational, and strategic leadership for a 24-bed Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit located within a major trauma medical center. The unit primarily serves patients recovering from stroke, spinal cord injury, and traumatic brain injury along with a population of underinsured individuals requiring comprehensive rehabilitative care. The Medical Director ensures the delivery of high-quality, equitable, and efficient rehabilitation services while coordinating closely with trauma, neurology, acute care, and community health partners.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Leadership & Quality

• Lead the IRU’s interdisciplinary care model, emphasizing evidence-based stroke and other neurological health conditions rehabilitation and culturally competent care for underserved populations.
• Oversee medical stability and admission appropriateness, especially for under insured or medically complex patients.
• Coordinate with neurology, ICU, trauma, and emergency services to streamline transfers after acute stabilization.
• Champion initiatives addressing social determinants of health, access barriers, and continuity of care.
• Ensure regulatory compliance (CARF, CMS IRF, Joint Commission) including 60% rule, IRF-PAI accuracy, and QRP reporting.
• Monitor stroke-specific metrics (functional gains, community discharge rates, readmissions, LOS efficiency) and disparities in access and outcomes for underinsured groups.

Operational Management

• Oversee daily operations, staffing, and throughput of a 24-bed unit in partnership with the IRU Nurse and Rehabilitation Therapies Manager.
• Develop standardized stroke pathways and care bundles to improve efficiency and functional recovery.
• Optimize bed utilization and expedite transfers from trauma, neuro, and acute care units.
• Work closely with case management to secure post-discharge resources for uninsured or underserved patients, including community agencies and charity programs.
• Participate in IRU call coverage schedule.

Education, Research & Professional Development

• Support training for residents, fellows, APPs, therapists, and nursing staff with emphasis on stroke rehabilitation and health equity.
• Promote quality improvement initiatives addressing disparities in rehab access and outcomes.
• Maintain board certification, CME requirements, and promote ongoing staff competency.

Strategic Growth & Community Partnerships

• Guide development of stroke-focused specialty programming, including advanced neurorehabilitation technology and community reintegration initiatives.
• Build partnerships with community health organizations, free clinics, and social service agencies to support uninsured patients.
• Collaborate on grants or community health initiatives addressing gaps in rehabilitation access and equity.

Required Qualifications

• MD/DO with Board Certification in PM&R; eligibility for state licensure.
• Minimum 3–5 years of inpatient rehabilitation experience; strong expertise in stroke rehabilitation.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with underserved populations and multidisciplinary teams.
• Working knowledge of CMS IRF regulations, documentation standards, and CARF/TJC accreditation processes.

Preferred Qualifications

• Fellowship training in Brain Injury Medicine, Stroke, Spinal Cord Injury or related areas.
• Experience with population health, community outreach, or safety-net systems.
• Academic, teaching, or research experience, especially related to stroke or health equity.

Performance Metrics

• Quality & Safety: fall rates, pressure injuries, VTE prophylaxis, unplanned transfers.
• Stroke Outcomes: functional gains, discharge home rates, LOS efficiency, readmissions.
• Access & Equity: timeliness of admission for uninsured patients, resource connection rates, community linkage success.
• Compliance: documentation accuracy, IRF-PAI performance, regulatory readiness.

Work Schedule & Expectations

• Onsite presence aligned with IRU needs; participation in call coverage.
• Active engagement with IDT rounds, quality committees, and hospital coordination meetings.
• Regular collaboration with case management, social work, and community health partners.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary, medical director stipend, and quality/outcome-based incentives.
• Comprehensive benefits including CME funding and malpractice coverage.
• Academic appointment potential if affiliated with a teaching institution.

NOTE: Position tasks are required to be performed in-person at an Emory University location; working remote is not an option. Emory reserves the right to change this status with notice to employee.

Additional Details

Emory is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law. Emory University does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment, including recruitment, hiring, promotions, transfers, discipline, terminations, wage and salary administration, benefits, and training. Students, faculty, and staff are assured of participation in university programs and in the use of facilities without such discrimination. Emory University complies with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Era Veteran's Readjustment Assistance Act, and applicable executive orders, federal and state regulations regarding nondiscrimination, equal opportunity, and affirmative action (for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities). Inquiries regarding this policy should be directed to the Emory University Department of Equity and Civil Rights Compliance, 201 Dowman Drive, Administration Building, Atlanta, GA 30322. Telephone: 404-727-9867 (V) | 404-712-2049 (TDD).

Emory University is committed to ensuring equal access and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to seek a reasonable accommodation, please contact the Department of Accessibility Services at [email protected] or call 404-727-9877 (Voice) | 404-712-2049 (TDD). We kindly ask that requests be made at least seven business days in advance to allow adequate time for coordination.