Optum MA Chief - Rheumatology

Reliant Medical Group, part of the Optum family of businesses, is seeking a Chief of Rheumatology to join our team in Worcester, MA. Optum is a clinician-led care organization that is changing the way clinicians work and live.

As a member of the Optum Care Delivery team, you'll be an integral part of our vision to make healthcare better for everyone.

At Optum, you'll have the clinical resources, data and support of a global organization behind you so you can help your patients live healthier lives. We believe you deserve an exceptional career, and will empower you to live your best life at work and at home. Experience the fulfillment of advancing the health of your community with the excitement of contributing new practice ideas and initiatives that could help improve care for millions of patients across the country. Because together, we have the power to make health care better for everyone. Join us and discover how rewarding medicine can be while Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

The Chief, Rheumatology for Optum Massachusetts is responsible for the execution of strategy and goals at the departmental level. Reporting to the Chief, Cancer Services Optum MA, provides leadership of clinical care in the general Rheumatology department to achieve performance excellence in cost reduction, high quality, sustained high patient satisfaction, and physician engagement. Efforts are focused on aligning clinical activities within the department to fulfill Optum MA's mission of partnering with our patients to make it easier to be healthy. Oversight and responsibility for the implementation of mission-specific strategies and tactics. Works collaboratively with colleagues and staff, Optum Massachusetts management, Clinical and Operational Leadership and the community. Responsible for the management of Clinical Staff within the department. Serves as a respected clinician. Leads by example in all aspects of leadership and clinical practice. Has ownership for resolving performance issues. 

The position will comprise a 0.2 FTE for administrative duties (8 hours/week). This position is also responsible for maintaining an active clinical FTE. 

Position Highlights & Primary Responsibilities:

• Responsible for the management and delivery of care needed to ensure that the department's patients receive high quality, patient centric and safe care. 

• Is a key member of the clinical leadership team with a focus on both site and/or specialty clinical issues. Coordinates with Chiefs within and across Primary Care, Specialty, and Ancillary departments. Works closely with Nursing leadership and Site management. Ensures that high quality patient care is delivered in a resource efficient manner.  

• Serves as a clinical leader interface between the Specialty Administration and physicians. Works on implementing strategic goals for the Specialty, including development of local Specialty strategies or business development opportunities.  

• Communicates with the departments across Optum Massachusetts to promote understanding and alignment with the strategic goals of the organization, ensuring that department physicians meet organizational benchmarks and standards. Reviews, interprets, prioritizes, and distributes meaningful practice management and clinical quality data, including responsibility for reviewing practice variation metrics and implementing or recommending solutions to identified issues. Is held accountable for achieving identified departmental metrics and is the department leader in setting expectations throughout the department on behaviors related to Care Improvement and Managing for Daily Improvement (MDI). 

• Oversees implementation of organizational or initiatives at the local level. Plans and manages on-going projects within the department.  

• As clinical leader working on behalf of the Specialty Administration, implements cost savings measures (such as OU savings, preferred hospitals) within department as appropriate. Maximizes use of organizational clinical and non-clinical resources including Care Improvement technologies.  

• Drives change within the department using organizational tools such as MDI. Energizes the staff to move toward acceptance of new initiatives. Seeks opportunities to translate initiatives into practical application. Encourages involvement and creativity of clinical and non-clinical staff to achieve objectives.  

• On a local level is responsible for the implementation of Care Improvement (LEAN) initiatives and principles. Demonstrates leadership that creates and fosters a culture of continuous process improvement in the department. Responsible for implementation of standard work within the department. 

• Serves as front line clinician leader responsible for execution of well- articulated organizational goals at local level within the department. Sets appropriate expectations and accountability for meeting organizational goals. Ensures that organizational goals and objectives are well communicated to clinicians to promote understanding and alignment with the strategic goals of the organization.  

• Ensures success of clinician impact on local level, modeling appropriate behaviors for clinicians within the group and mentoring as needed.  

• Models organizational expectations of Service Excellence for clinicians within department of responsibility. Promotes and engages in effective measures to maintain and improve the highest levels of patient satisfaction within the department.  

• When applicable, helps optimize relationships with local hospitals and community providers of care to patients. May work with leadership to manage relationships to ensure patients have access to high quality care, cost effective care from outside sources when needed.  

• Sets agendas and manages local clinical team meetings. 

• Represents department in other specialty and site venues as requested. Attends regular and ad hoc meetings where Specialty or Chief representation is needed. 

• Maintains an active practice at Optum Massachusetts as a clinical provider.  

• Performs other duties as assigned. 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Engages staff in formulating effective working relationships within the department. Promotes a collaborative team-based work environment and manages conflicts that may arise within departments, between departments, and with patients. 

• Supervises a group of clinical staff and collaborates closely with other clinical and non-clinical staff, including Supervisors and Site Administrators. Carries out supervisory responsibilities within areas of responsibility in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Leads effective recruitment and hiring of new clinicians for the department. May also consult and advise in the hiring of non-clinical staff. Ensures that all clinicians within department receive appropriate orientation and mentoring. Manages day to day clinician performance. Provides ongoing feedback in a timely manner. Meets with clinicians regularly throughout year to provide ongoing feedback and management. Conducts formal annual reviews for department clinicians. Fosters a positive team environment for clinicians in area of responsibility.   

• Collaborates with HR in terms of ensuring that all employees maintain and support the Code of Conduct of the larger organization.  Engages with HR for any physician level employee relations issue.   

• Supports personalized career development for all clinicians in the department throughout their Optum Massachusetts careers. Serves as facilitator in arranging work and educational opportunities to meet career objectives. May work with other internal departments as needed. 

• Ensures adequate clinical office and on-call coverage for the practice. Assesses local department clinician and non-clinician staffing needs and makes recommendations regarding staffing levels. 

Reliant Medical Group joined Optum in 2018, to be part of the greater vision to make health care better for everyone. At Reliant, you're part of a community-based, multi-specialty, clinician-led medical group in Central and Boston Metro-west Massachusetts. Where everyone works collaboratively on a common purpose: improving the quality, cost and experience of health care. Supported by a patient-centric business model - integrated care teams focus on the best patient care, rather than volume. Recognized nationally for an innovative, sustainable care model we offer a full range of outpatient primary care and over 30 different specialties including hospital medicine, comprehensive radiology services, and urgent care. Together, we're making health care work better for everyone. 

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:

• Licensed in the State of Massachusetts as a Medical Doctor (M.D.), Board Certified.  Additional degree(s) in business administration, public health or clinical operations desirable.   American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) required. Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) may be required based on specialty. 

• A well-respected clinician with skills and experience typically acquired through at least 0-5 years of experience (in larger departments or areas 3-5 years of experience may be preferred), actively practicing in the area of specialty. Proven leadership experience or training is preferred. Understanding of basic quality assessment and improvement methods. Must complete ongoing Leadership Development activities as provided by the organization within first 18 months of appointment. Beliefs are aligned with the Optum Massachusetts vision and mission

• An inquiring, analytic and independent thinker, respectful and engaging of staff, and passionate about continuous improvement in the pursuit of transformational excellence. Excellent public presentation skills. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 

• Able 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.  

• Performs 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. 

The salary range for this role is $240,500 to $394,500 annually based on full-time employment. Salary Range is defined as total cash compensation at target. The actual range and pay mix of base and bonus is variable based upon experience and metric achievement. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. UnitedHealth Group complies with all minimum wage laws as applicable. In addition to your salary, UnitedHealth Group offers 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 UnitedHealth Group, you'll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives.

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.