Local Medical Director

Job Description

Provides clinical leadership, communication, and engagement support for Munson Elmwood Primary Care and Cedarwoods Internal and Geriatric Medicine clinic. The Local Medical Director partners closely with the Practice Manager in a dyad leadership model, contributing to day-to-day operations, promoting a positive practice culture, and supporting high-quality, patient-centered care with a specific focus on achieving quality program success. Demonstrates leadership in communicating the organization's core mission, vision and values, true north and regional strategies. Collaborate with other members of the MPN and local leadership teams.

The Local Medical Director plays a key role in facilitating communication between providers and staff, assisting with implementation of initiatives, and reinforcing clinical standards. This position reports to the Executive Medical Director for the region and maintains active clinical practice. While the Local Medical Director holds no formal direct reports, they are expected to provide informal leadership, mentorship and guidance to peers and team members.

Entry Requirements

• Medical Doctor (MD or DO) from an accredited institution
• Board certification in Family Medicine or Internal Medicine
• Active medical license in the State of Michigan (or eligible for licensure)
• Minimum of two years of clinical practice (preferred)
• Progressive leadership experience (preferred)
• Demonstrated team leadership, mentoring, or committee experience (preferred)
• Strong communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills
• Familiarity with quality improvement and patient experience practices (preferred)

Organization

This position reports to the Executive Medical Director for the region and functions in a dyad partnership with the Practice Manager for the assigned practice(s). The Local Medical Director collaborates with clinicians, clinical staff, and administrative partners to ensure a supportive and aligned clinical environment. Maintains a portion of time dedicated to direct patient care.

Specific Duties

Has primary leadership responsibility and accountability for the following within assigned departments:

Clinical Care

1. Maintains scheduled time in direct patient care.
2. Serves as a role model for evidence-based, patient-centered care.
3. Uses frontline experience to inform improvement in care delivery models and clinical operations.

Clinical Performance and Quality

1. Demonstrates a high level of skill, expertise and experience in ambulatory medical practice and patient care processes.
2. Has and uses a broad and deep knowledge base that is contemporary with the latest medical scientific evidence; collaborates with service line and specialty-specific clinical leaders when and where appropriate to promote clinical quality, patient safety, and clinical innovation.
3. Serve as strategic leader responsible for advancing quality initiatives, fostering practice engagement, and ensuring alignment with payer-driven performance, this includes but is not limited to:
   1. Meeting attendance required at specific quality programs
   2. Reporting quality program learnings to the practice(s) on a regular cadence
   3. Performing case reviews required by quality programs or otherwise
   4. Carrying out other quality program expectations as needed
   5. Responsible for driving the local objective success of the clinic(s) in all applicable value-based programs (with the help of the PHO/CIN resources).
4. Partners with clinical leadership to support accountability for the performance of clinical colleagues in assigned departments, ensuring:
   1. the use of physician network approved evidence-based practice guidelines, pathways and protocols;
   2. the successful implementation of initiatives focused on providing exceptional care experience for patients and their families;
   3. the efficient use of all clinical resources including equipment, supplies and time,
   4. the compliance with the ethical standards of the profession;
   5. the adherence to all regulatory and legal directives and standards of accredited and regulatory bodies as well as recognized payers, and;
   6. the implementation of approved safe care practices including care coordination and continuity.

Operational Leadership

1. Partners with the Practice Manager(s) to support daily clinical operations and address frontline challenges.
2. Participates in successfully accomplishing CLIA, RHC, Joint Commission requirements, and additional compliance or regulatory requirements where applicable to the clinic.
3. Serves as a communication conduit between clinicians, staff, and leadership to ensure alignment of expectations and priorities.
4. Reinforces clinical standards and workflows as directed by Executive Medical Director and practice leadership.
5. Participates in operational huddles, staff meetings, and process improvement efforts.
6. Assists with coordination of provider schedules, space usage, and patient flow as needed.
7. Supports communication efforts around organizational updates, performance goals, and practice changes.
8. Promotes awareness and alignment with systemwide initiatives and strategic priorities.
9. Collaborates with practice leadership to identify opportunities for improvement in access, service delivery, or clinical processes.

People

1. Promotes a positive and collaborative practice culture, grounded in mutual respect and professionalism.
2. Leads or participates in clinician performance evaluations, goal setting, and development plans.
3. Supports the coaching and counseling of physicians failing to meet performance expectations and monitors performance improvement plans.
4. Participates in management of professional behavior concerns or clinical issues in collaboration with HR and operational leadership.
5. Supports peer-to-peer engagement and informal coaching to encourage teamwork and accountability.
6. Responsible for assisting with onboarding of new clinicians and APPs by providing clinical orientation and mentorship.
7. Helps gather provider and staff feedback on clinic issues and shares input with leadership.

The Benefits of Working at Munson:

• Competitive market-based compensation 

• Full benefits, paid holidays, and generous paid time off 

• CME Allowance  

• Professional Liability  

• Retirement savings plan with employer match and personal consulting  

Find more than your next job. Find your community.   

• We’re northern Michigan’s largest healthcare system and we are deeply rooted in the communities we serve. That means that our patients are often our family, friends and neighbors – and it’s special to be able to care for them. And as one of the top healthcare systems to work for in Michigan by Forbes (America’s Best Employers by State 2022), we’re committed to your ongoing growth and development.  

• After work, you’ll find things to do in every season – beaches, outdoor recreation, unique restaurants, world-class wineries, arts and entertainment.   

• As a non-profit healthcare system, Munson Healthcare provides $65 million in health care programs and education, as well as free discounted and unreimbursed services.   

Munson Healthcare by the Numbers: 

• 8 hospitals 

• 694 licensed acute care beds 

• 212 licensed long-term care beds 

• 7,500 employees 

• 1,000 physicians 

• 63 specialties 

• 540,000 residents 

• We cover 14,667 square miles – about the size of Vermont and Delaware combined. 

• Munson Healthcare Home Health and Munson Healthcare Hospice serve 29 counties.   

Why Choose Munson Healthcare:  

• Balance – Get out on the water, in the woods, on the trails or around town   

• Opportunity – Be a part of northern Michigan’s leading healthcare team with opportunities for personal and professional growth throughout the healthcare system  

• Flexibility – A career that can change as your life changes   

• Teamwork – Our people make Munson Healthcare a great place to work!   

About Traverse City, Michigan    

Nestled on the shores of Lake Michigan’s Grand Traverse Bay, Traverse City is a vibrant, four-season resort community renowned for its stunning natural beauty, cultural attractions, and exceptional quality of life. Highlights include:    

• Outdoor Recreation: Endless opportunities for skiing, hiking, biking, boating, and golfing in a region surrounded by pristine lakes, forests, and trails.    

• Cultural Hub: Home to the National Cherry Festival, vibrant arts scenes, award-winning wineries, and a burgeoning culinary landscape.    

• Top-Rated Schools: Excellent public and private schools, making it an ideal place for families.    

• Accessibility: Convenient regional airport with direct flights to major cities, ensuring easy travel for professional and personal needs.   

Traverse City, Michigan

We are Equal Opportunity Employer 

Munson Healthcare grants equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, religion, genetic information, marital status, height, weight, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other legally protected category.  

Qualifications

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Munson Healthcare requires all employees be vaccinated or have lab confirmed immunity for Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Varicella. MHC also requires all employees to receive a flu vaccine during the flu season in the year that they are hired and annually thereafter, or receive an approved medical or religious exemption.