OB Triage Medical Director, Chicago, IL - Northwestern Memorial Healthcare

Northwestern Medicine is a growing, nationally recognized health system that provides world-class care at 10 hospitals and more than 200 locations in communities throughout Chicago, the suburbs and northern Illinois. Together with Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, we are pushing boundaries in our research labs, training the next generation of physicians and scientists, and pursuing excellence in patient care. 

We value building relationships with our patients and their families, listening to their unique needs while providing individualized primary, specialty and hospital-based care. Our recent affiliations and ongoing growth make it possible for us to serve more patients, closer to where they live and work. While each of our locations has a unique story, Northwestern Medicine is unified under one mission – Patients First.

Position Summary:  The OB Triage Medical Director is responsible for directing the effective operation of the OB Triage Unit at Prentice Women’s Hospital (“Hospital”), for overseeing the clinical quality of care provided by the OB Triage Physicians/Advanced Practice Providers (APPs), and for serving as the primary representative of the practice in interaction with Hospital leadership, Ob/Gyn department leadership, residents, NMG leadership and the medical staff.

Reporting Relationship: This position is administratively responsible to the Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the Medical Director of NMG Women’s Health. This position works closely with the Department Administrator and Director of Operations/ Program Director and is responsible for the general oversight and clinical quality of physicians and APPs working in the Prentice OB Triage service.

Time Estimate: approximately 6 hours per week.

Duties and Responsibilities: The Medical Director’s duties and responsibilities shall include but not be limited to the following:

1. Actively participates in the recruitment of physicians and APPs to the practice, including
   1. Developing and implementing a physician/APP recruitment plan.
   2. Participating in recruitment activities for physician/APP candidates, and
   3. Following up with candidates throughout the recruitment process.
2. Provides orientation and mentoring for physicians/APPs joining the practice.
3. Oversees and evaluates physician/APP clinical, interpersonal, and operational performance, and provides feedback and recommendations to hospital administration, OB/Gyn department leadership and the medical staff regarding individual physician/APP performance. The Medical Director may meet with a physician/APP to address performance issues and to provide coaching and development support.
4. Although the Medical Director does not have formal supervisory authority over hospital support personnel, he/she oversees and evaluates their clinical, interpersonal, and operational performance, and provides feedback and recommendations to hospital/departmental administration regarding support personnel performance.
5. Participates in the development of the practice’s annual budget, including making recommendations regarding appropriate physician/APP staffing levels and compensation. Performs regular monitoring of practice financial performance and makes recommendations to address budget variances.
6. Ensures timely and accurate submission of charges, properly supported by clinical documentation, as necessary for the fiscal integrity of the practice.
7. Ensures timely and accurate completion of medical records by the physicians/APPs.
8. Assures operation of the practice in compliance with the policies, practices and directions of the Hospital, the bylaws, rules and regulations of the medical staff, the standards and recommendations of The Joint Commission, applicable standards of relevant professional societies, and all applicable local, state and federal laws and regulations.
9. Conducts periodic team meetings with physicians, APPs, support staff and applicable hospital/departmental personnel, and implements such other communication methods as are necessary to foster effective working relationship among the parties and to facilitate resolution of problems.
10. Leads the development and maintenance of OB Triage Unit policies, clinical protocols, forms, reports, and records required by the hospital and NMG.
11. Proactively identifies opportunities for optimizing the cost, quality, and timeliness of care provided by the practice through reductions in medical practice variation, guideline and policy development, operational process improvement, and so forth.
12. Participates with the hospital and medical staff in identifying performance goals and standards for the OB Triage program, in measuring and monitoring practice performance, and in taking action to improve performance to meet established goals.
13. Educates key stakeholders and other constituents regarding the OB Triage program and its scope of services.
14. Interacts with other physicians to facilitate expeditious and appropriate patient flow management.
15. Participates in medical staff and Hospital committees as needed, to represent the OB Triage program and to support and participate in performance improvement efforts throughout the Hospital.
16. Ensures the development and administration of a fair and equitable physician/APP work schedule, and the timely communication of the schedule and any adjustments to it throughout the organization. Develops and implements a physician/APP work schedule that delivers 24/7 coverage with no gaps in staffing.
17. Recruits and schedules independent contractor physicians (“Moonlighters”) as appropriate to cover shifts that are not staffed by NMG physicians/APPs.
18. Effectively communicates and advocates organizational expectations to the physicians/APPs, and communicates and advocates physician/APP needs and concerns to the larger organization.
19. Serves as the go-to person for the addressing problems and resolving conflicts associated with the OB Triage program.
20. Works cooperatively and collaboratively with the physicians/APPs, other medical staff members, and hospital staff, and avoids/addresses disruptive behavior.

Northwestern Medicine offers access to:

• Award-winning hospitals
• More than 100 locations throughout the Chicagoland area
• More than 4,000 aligned physicians including faculty, residents and researchers
• Magnet®-recognized* hospitals offering the highest standards for patient care and nursing excellence
• Treatment that is informed by the latest research from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

Northwestern Medicine employed physicians are eligible for:

• Competitive salaries/bonuses
• Excellent benefit package
• Malpractice insurance provided
• PTO and CME allowance

For more information on Northwestern Medicine, please visit www.nm.org. If you or anyone you may know is interested in a position, please apply here or email CV to Marty Pearson at martin.pearson@nm.org

Northwestern Medicine is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.