Associate Director, Orthopedics- Reliant Medical Group

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Under general direction, the Associate Director, Specialties for Optum Massachusetts is a business partner to the Chief(s) of the Specialty Service Lines (up to 4 Specialties) in the planning and executing of the operational, legal, and financial, /capital planning needs of the specialties across Optum Massachusetts. Under the guidance of the Business and Clinical Directors of Specialties for Optum Massachusetts, the Associate Director manages the overall operations, staff, and budgets of up to 6 clinical practice locations within a given Service Line. Participates in the design and subsequent implementation of clinical administrative operations within the designated area of responsibility. Ensures the delivery of highly integrated and patient centered care. Functions with a high degree of independence, under minimal supervision and has authority for independent decision making within scope of responsibility. Teams with the Service Line leadership, Chiefs and Clinical Nurse leadership to provide unified leadership and consistent communication to providers, clinical staff and administrative staff within the assigned region. Works closely with other regional and service line management to ensure that Optum Massachusetts practice standards are met and that patient expectations are met or exceeded. Expected to maintain a thorough understanding of the business side of the supported Specialties including, but not limited to, strategic planning and data analytics.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Manages the strategic analysis/business planning of the assigned Specialty departments Ensures the execution of operational plans and analytical follow up create successful outcomes
• Provides senior level project management with direction, consultation and oversight of initiatives/projects that are critical to and support key organizational goals. Determines timeline, funding limitations, staffing needs and allotment of resources needed to achieve operational goals
• In conjunction with central specialty leadership and Specialty Chief(s) establish, monitors and ensures continuous improvement towards quadruple aim goals
• Works in collaboration with Service Line Directors, Chiefs and Chairs to develop and manage both financial and encounter budgets. Provides strategic planning for assigned Service Line Specialties
• Prepares reports and updates central leadership/Specialty Chiefs on organizational initiatives  and is accountable along with partnered Chief of Specialty to ensure performance goals are achieved
• Coordinates with site operations to implement system-wide specialty programs, policies, and procedures. Works collaboratively with Specialty leadership to define optimal practice support, best practice, and clinical policy related to Specialty Service Line. In conjunction with Specialty leadership, sets and manages to productivity and clinical standards
• Represents Specialties interests with external entities and vendors. Serve as liaison between the Specialty and affiliated hospitals as required. Partners with Contracting colleagues as appropriate
• Develops, monitors and reviews legal contracts for all specialty services ensuring fair market value and contractual obligations are being met and aligned with Reliant & Atrius Health's standards
• Collaborates with Atrius Health Legal department to review any changes or addendums
• Collaborates with New Business Development team and Specialty Chief to analyze, identify and develop business requirements for contract negotiation
• Manages Specialty projects and implementation of new clinical programs and innovations and works to spread effectively across the Optum Massachusetts locations.  Defines need, prepares financial justification, and develops operational workflows. Serves as business liaison to the Chief(s) of Specialty in presenting new business proposals to Specialty leadership and senior leadership
• Resolves and/or escalates site/space conflicts to Specialty leadership
• Collaborates with Physician Recruitment team and Specialty Chiefs to manage recruitment and departure of medical staff
• Leads operational monthly meetings with assigned Specialty leadership to review key financial metrics, discuss barriers to success and ensure specialty initiatives/projects are on track
• Responsible for acquisition and budgeting of capital equipment for Specialty Service Lines
• Conducts a minimum of an annual visit to service line hubs outside of assigned region to ensure central standard work is being followed, barriers to success are identified and best practice is followed. This visit is critical to ensure relationships with front line providers are developed
• Works collaboratively with the Service Line Executive Chair on the Service Line's physician compensation program.  Acts as a liaison with Physician Compensation departments and directly work with physicians in the practice with questions about the program
• Has cross site budget responsibility including performance and forecasting and developing and implementing cross site budget management policies and practices.  Manages cross Specialty fiscal year budget development
• Creates statistical modeling and analysis for assigned Specialty area within the Service Line including, but not limited to, site encounter tracking, site variance reporting
• Partners closely with Finance and Compliance staff for revenue cycle operations oversight, including front-end patient payment collections, coding accuracy and enhancement initiatives, denials management, billing compliance management, and related process-improvement work with providers. Ensures that regular training occurs with providers regarding coding
• Understands and adheres to all Atrius Health and Reliant Medical Group financial reporting requirements established by the COO and CFO. Ensures information provided is in the prescribed format with appropriate rationale and documentation
• Ensure leadership presence for infection control/clinical safety walk throughs, senior leadership quarterly visits and DPH site visits for Atrius Health, and compliance with Reliant's Optum Practice Health and Safety audits and questionnaires
• Other duties as assigned

Operational Management 

• Manages the daily Service Line operations within area of responsibility through subordinate supervisors and/or team leads
• Creates a positive environment by developing supervisors that are collaborative, and knowledgeable about the Service Line goals and business objectives
• Implements Service Line standards and patient care models. Communicates performance standards and monitors to ensure adherence to established protocols
• Communicates the Service Line strategies, goals, and objectives. Sets expectations and standards to achieve these goals and objectives within the practice locations of area of responsibility
• Represents the Service Line as the point of escalation for patient concerns and complaints
• Implements new operational procedures and systems in accordance with established Service Line guidelines
• Ensures that problems relating to area of responsibility are appropriately investigated and resolved
• Carries out management responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws
• Clinical Program Management And Network Development 
• Ensures that appropriate and adequate support is maintained within clinical departments. Provides direction and support to subordinate supervisors to assure departmental effectiveness and efficiency
• Uses standard reports and data analyses to report on achievement of Service Line goals and objectives, including quality initiatives and Hoshin goals for areas of responsibility. Using LEAN tools and processes, guides efforts to identify the root cause of issues and develop resolution plans including communication, training, and performance improvement
• Resolves patient issues by working with or through appropriate local, Service Line and organizational resources. Communicates, counsels and trains supervisors on the proper steps to follow to achieve maximum positive results for patient satisfaction
• As needed, effectively represents the Service Line and Optum Massachusetts with external parties, such as aligned hospitals and contract providers
• Maintains ongoing relationship with affiliated hospital as needed

Human Resources Management 

• Provides leadership and guidance to multiple supervisors within assigned Service Line and Region. Responsible for supervisors and typically 20+ direct/indirect reports of clinical/nonclinical exempt and nonexempt staff
• Through modeling and mentoring, ensures supervisors understand how to manage staff respectfully with a focus on continuous improvement, service excellence and patient satisfaction
• Acts as a role model for Optum Massachusetts values
• Interviews, selects, orients and trains direct reports. Ensures that all employees within scope of responsibility are appropriated selected and on-boarded
• Ensures effective performance management, including goal setting, feedback, development planning and, if needed, corrective action
• Works collaboratively with HR colleagues for issues involving employee relations, labor relations and recruitment.   Works to effectively review personnel actions of subordinate supervisors and address escalated HR issues to arrive at successful problem resolution

Supervisory Responsibilities 

• Supervises group of staff, including subordinate supervisors and managers. Carries out supervisory responsibilities within areas of responsibility in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Provides direction and support to staff to assure departmental effectiveness and efficiency.  Responsibilities include interviewing, selecting, orienting, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; evaluating performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; reviewing personnel actions of subordinates and addressing complaints and resolving problems

You'll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications:

• 7+ years of progressively responsible professional experience in planning, development, financial analysis, and operations management with 5 at the management level
• In-depth knowledge of planning and systems and tools, and operations management
• Proven project management, analytic, interpersonal and communication skills
• Demonstrated organizational, leadership and teamwork skills
• Demonstrated solid organizational and problem resolution skills along with the ability to implement procedures and processes efficiently and effectively     
• Proven ability to use all electronic tools and applications relevant to the performance of the duties of the position, including but not limited to phone, keyboard, computer, and computer applications  
• Proven ability to perform all job functions in compliance with applicable federal, state, local and company policies and procedures
• Accesses only the minimum necessary protected health information (PHI) for the performance of job duties. Actively protects the confidentiality and privacy of all protected health information they access in all its forms (written, verbal, and electronic, etc.) taking reasonable precautions to prohibit unauthorized access. Complies with all Optum MA and departmental privacy policies, procedures and protocols. Follows HIPAA privacy guidelines without deviation when handling protected health information

Preferred Qualification:

• Background in health care, business development and supervisory experience

Working Condition / Physical Demand:

• Busy office environment with frequent deadlines and interruptions

Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, we offer benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). No matter where or when you begin a career with us, you'll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives. The salary for this role will range from $91,700 - $163,700 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.

At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone-of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location and income-deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups and those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes - an enterprise priority reflected in our mission.

OptumCare is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer under applicable law and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.

OptumCare is a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.