Staff Physician Rheumatology

As the Regional Rheumatology Medical Director, the individual is responsible for offering clinical leadership, setting strategic direction, and providing operational supervision for rheumatology services across Cone Health. This physician leader holds the accountability for upholding the highest standards of patient care, enhancing provider engagement, managing access to services, ensuring compliance with regulations, fostering collaboration among various healthcare teams, and driving comprehensive quality improvement programs. By serving as the principal physician leader within the rheumatology service line, the Medical Director actively contributes to its strategic growth, operational effectiveness, and the achievement of superior patient outcomes.

Core Responsibilities:

• Clinical leadership and oversight refer to the management and guidance of healthcare staff to maintain excellence in clinical practices
• Act as the head rheumatologist within the Cone Health Rheumatology Medical Group.
• Provide direct care to patients while also supervising the management of complex rheumatologic ailments in an ambulatory care setting.
• Offer guidance to rheumatology physicians and advanced practice providers on evidence-backed clinical approaches and care protocols.
• Provide supervision to advanced practice professionals working in rheumatology.
• Support in constructing provider rosters and devising care provision schemes that improve patient accessibility, output, and clinical achievements.
• Support the formulation of novel roles for physicians and advanced practice providers to stimulate service line growth and recruitment initiatives.
• Advocate for a workplace atmosphere that promotes exceptional clinical standards, ethical conduct, shared decision-making, and a patient-centric approach.
• Driving the expansion and optimization of rheumatology services regionally by spearheading the development of program initiatives and strategic systems to enhance ambulatory care models and improve access.
• Assess service line demands regularly to enhance patient availability, operational efficacy, and service distribution.
• Engage in strategic planning with administrative executives to formulate business cases, growth plans, and plans to attract new providers.
• Identify openings to expand programs, diversify subspecialty services, and implement creative care models.
• Oversee and offer backing for quality improvement endeavors directed towards enhancing patient outcomes, operational performance, and patient experience.
• Assist in advancing clinical research, scholarly pursuits, and educational projects in the realm of rheumatology.
• Advocate for following evidence-based guidelines and quality measures. Engage in educating providers, offering mentorship, and promoting their professional advancement.
• Help ensure that all rheumatology services meet the required standards established by CMS, The Joint Commission, and internal policies. Participate in risk management evaluations, patient safety campaigns, and quality control efforts associated with rheumatology services.
• Assist in the refinement of documentation practices, preparation for regulatory evaluations, and alignment with compliance standards.

Essential Job Function

• Keeping current and competent professionally requires the use of literature and attendance at both local and national conferences.
• Participates in educational opportunities tailored for inpatients, staff, and professionals.
• Involvement in educational and research activities like didactic materials, formal teaching sessions, educational conferences for staff, and clinical research projects.
• Liaison: Participates in liaison duties with the other professional staff, and in development of patient referral sources.
• Maintains regular communication with referring healthcare providers regarding patient care and results.
• Administers direct and indirect care to patients in specified locations.
• Supervises the interdisciplinary team in a medical environment and directs residents and medical students in carrying out their assigned tasks.
• Involves themselves in projects related to clinical research that intrigue them.
• Ensures the provision of precise and punctual documentation and endorsement of care to establish current medical records required for billing accuracy.
• Upholds the professional criteria outlined by MCHS, which consist of the Medical Staff By-Laws, Service Excellence commitments, practice guidelines, physician standards, and requirements for maintaining a professional image.
• Works collaboratively in accordance with the MCHS Mission, Vision, and Values.
• Illustrates harmonious and considerate bonds with coworkers, clients, associates, family, and guests.
• Upholds the values of the Socratic Oath, maintains the confidentiality of patients, and conducts oneself with honesty and transparency in every situation.
• Works in sync to aid in the fulfillment of MCHS goals and criteria.
• Quality and Safety: Participates in medical audits, quality improvement initiatives, investigations, peer assessments, and other reviews related to professional care standards, when needed.
• Provides medical supervision and directs the interdisciplinary team to maximize the benefits for every patient.
• Upholds safety protocols and regulatory standards within the workplace.
• Ongoing Progress: Dedicates efforts towards constant refinement and the integration of research-backed approaches to elevate standards in healthcare and service provision, aiming for outcomes that excel in the 90th percentile or beyond.
• Ensure that records are maintained in compliance with MCHS policies and applicable statutes.
• Plays an active role in developing clinical guidelines, practices, projects, and suggests ways to enhance the caliber and efficacy of healthcare provision.
• Participates in sharing the designated on-call responsibilities with fellow physicians in the assigned areas.

Education

• Required: Doctor of Medicine (MD), Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) from a Medical School recognized by the North Carolina Medical Board.
• Also medical degrees from other countries that are equivalent to the United States MD or DO degrees from a Medical School recognized by the North Carolina Medical Board.

Experience

• Required: Completed appropriate residency training (and fellowship training as required).

Licensure/Certification/Listing

• REQUIRED Required: Practitioner must have completed the number of years in a residency program approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education and met all other requirements for eligibility to receive board certification recognized by either the American Board of Medical Specialties or the American Osteopathic Association in the primary medical specialty (or subspecialty) for which the Practitioner is applying for Clinical Privileges. If five (5) or more years have elapsed since the Practitioner completed such residency program, the Practitioner currently must have board-certification recognized by either the American Board of Medical Specialties or the American Osteopathic Association in such specialty (or subspecialty). Fully licensed to practice Medicine in the state of NC. Meets requirements of the Moses Cone Health System Medical Staff by-laws and obtains the appropriate level of medical staff privileges. The Practitioner must have a current, and valid DEA registration number, with no involuntary limitations on prescriptive authority (schedule limitations) resulting from DEA disciplinary actions.