Chief Physician (Primary Care)

With over 50 years of service, our goal is to improve the health of the community we serve by creating easier access to quality clinical, preventative, and specialty healthcare services.

Watts Healthcare Corporation is deemed by the Bureau of Primary Health Care of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to be a federal employee for purposes of medical malpractice claims and, as such, qualified for protection under the Federal Tort Claims Act.

POSITION SUMMARY :

Under the guidance of the Chief Medical Officer, the Chief Physician assumes responsibility for overseeing the WHC Adult Medicine Clinic and Same Day Clinic.

In this role, the Chief Physician of Primary Care for Adults will lead and ensure the delivery of high-quality care and services in alignment with established protocols, policies, and procedures.

This position involves providing professional leadership and training to staff physicians, physician residents, advanced practice practitioners, medical students, and support staff.

The Chief Physician is also responsible for managing an assigned panel of patients and supporting value-based goals in a Patient Centered Medical Home through the application of experience to advance provider efficiency and enhance patient safety outcomes.

This role will also align workplace priorities with the following : improve the patient experience of care, improve health outcomes, reduce waste in the workflow and contribute to provider satisfaction.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS and RESPONSIBILITIES :

• Provide clinical oversight for primary care and same-day services, supporting specific objectives for each service line or unit.
• Advise on clinical processes and workflows, collaborating with clinical and department leads on continuous improvement activities.
• Act as an advisor to the Chief Medical Officer on internal medicine clinical practice matters, ensuring alignment with industry standards and best practices.
• Lead the development of clinical policies and procedures affecting internal medicine clinical practice within the Watts Healthcare system.
• Support integrated care processes across the system to ensure value-based care for WHCC Managed Care portfolio.
• Support training activities for clinicians and providers across the health system.
• Establish standards of professional conduct for the supervised medical staff within the comprehensive health center.
• Consult with students, resident physicians, and other staff regarding patient care, supervising and mentoring them in the management of illness.
• Establish annual goals, objectives, and strategies, making recommendations for improvement activities.
• Participate in peer review and quality committees to set clinical standards for medical support staff, monitoring the quality of medical services.
• Manage responses to quality of care and treatment plan grievances in the Adult Medicine and Same Day Clinic departments.
• Meet and consult with other staff providers regularly to discuss clinical concerns and opportunities for care improvement.
• Participate in team meetings, providing input on general operational issues to improve the quality of health care delivery and creating / monitoring protocols for patient care and documentation.
• Monitor strict adherence to universal precautions as established by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, DHS and other clinic standards.
• Establish and maintain effective and positive working relationships with representatives of outside agencies, government entities, vendors, as well as other clinicians, volunteers and staff;

represents the clinic site when appropriate.

• Ensure patient / client confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA privacy regulations; demonstrate complete discretion when discussing patient information.
• Practice cost-effective medicine by monitoring appropriate use of practitioner laboratory and prescription utilization in line with WHCC preferred laboratory and drug formulary.
• Complete electronic health record documentation for clinic sessions accurately and in a timely manner - within 72 hours of the patient visit per health plan standards, ensuring compliance and submission of claims to bill and collect revenue for work completed and maintenance of electronic health records / documents in accordance with clinic policies and procedures, contractual obligations, regulations and funding sources.
• Maintain a working knowledge of medical and clinically related skills through ongoing education reading industry standard publications, participation in seminars and other educational opportunities and personal contacts / professional memberships in the field;

ensures timely completion of continuing education required to maintain licensure.

• Integrate evidence-based medicine concepts into all aspects of the internal medicine program at Watts Health Center.
• Participate as a member of the clinic's management team and actively cooperate with others in support of the clinic's goals.
• Participate as a licensed clinician in Watts Healthcare’s Emergency Operations, as needed.
• Resolve problems related to patient complaints and grievances.
• Serve as the lead clinician advisor on special and high-impact projects directed by the Chief Medical Officer. This position may be tasked with leading special projects on behalf of the CMO.
• Lead clinical and quality meetings as directed by the Chief Medical Officer.

QUALIFICATION / EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS :

Licensed, Board Certified MD or DO in the State of California with prescriptive authority and current DEA certification.

MPH or MBA highly preferred.

• 3-5 years of healthcare management experience in a physician group practice, preferably in a federally qualified health center.
• Minimum of three years' experience in primary care and / or acute care settings.
• Valid license to practice medicine in California with no pending or previous disciplinary action.
• Completion of residency in Internal Medicine and board certification or eligibility in specialty.
• Current DEA license and BCLS certificate.
• Knowledge of the standard of care and state-of-the-art medical methods in the area of specialty.
• Ability to perform clinical duties within established guidelines in an organized, efficient manner.
• Ability to communicate effectively with all cultural and ethnic groups, fluency in written and spoken English required, bilingual skills in Spanish preferred.
• Basic knowledge of local, state, and federal regulations relating to patient care in a clinic setting and prior experience with county, state and federal programs such as CHOP, FPACT, EWC, Medi-Cal, Medicare, BPHC, FTCA and Title X is preferred.
• Knowledge of safety hazards and precautions to maintain a safe work environment.
• Ability to identify problems and recommend solutions in a clear, concise, and proactive manner, including recognition and resolution of costly errors.
• Ability to develop and maintain cooperative relationships with staff, patients, and other clinicians and work as a member of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Ability to complete and maintain records in accordance with procedures using an electronic health record system and Microsoft Office programs.
• Current California driver's license and State-required insurance when using a personal vehicle on clinic business and a driving record acceptable to the organization and / or insurance carrier.
• Willingness to commit to the mission, vision, core values, and overall philosophy and goals of Watts Healthcare.

COVID-19 CONSIDERATIONS :

All patients are subjected to COVID screening and are required to wear a mask when not receiving treatment. All staff members must be fully vaccinated.

Job Type : Full-time

Salary : $252,000.00 - $270,000.00 per year (Plus sign-on bonus)

Primary care specialties :

• Internal Medicine
• Primary Care
• Urgent Care

Schedule :

Monday to Friday

Work Location : In person