FAMILY PRACTICE MEDICAL DIRECTOR

Position Summary

Under the direction of the Chief Executive Officer, the Family Practice Medical Director is a physician to lead primary care programs, oversee clinical and administrative functions, and deliver culturally sensitive care to the Native American and underserved communities within the CHSDA area.  

This position combines clinical expertise with administrative and strategic oversight to shape the delivery of primary care. This role sits at the intersection of medicine and healthcare management, ensuring that patients care is high-quality, efficient, and aligned with regulatory and quality standards.  

The Family Practice Medical Director is responsible for the following: 

• Clinical leadership: Providing primary care according to standardized protocols, management

patient populations, and supervising subordinate medical staff and contract providers.  

• Program oversight: Developing and maintaining quality assurance processes, ensuring

compliance, and implementing policies.  

• Provider Management: Recruiting, screening, and mentoring medical personnel; overseeing

performance review. 

• Quality improvement: Auditing charts, monitoring satellite clinics, collaboration with our

behavioral health clinicians, and participating in training, meetings, and conferences.  

• Community engagement: Working in rural or tribal settings with a focus on chronic disease

management, preventative care, and social determinants of health.  

The Family Practice Medical Director must be able to communicate well and be able to establish 

rapport with patients and their families, being sensitive to the needs of the Indian community and 

its cultures, traditions, and values. The Family Practice Medical Director must be familiar with the 

objectives of TRIHCI, must maintain genuine enthusiasm for the success of TRIHCI's health 

programs, and consequently exercise a strong sense of stewardship in developing and maintaining 

community relations. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Perform and provide primary medical diagnostic, preventative, education, and 

treatment services at all TRIHCI facilities, and in accordance with applicable policies 

and standards. 

2. Serve as a preceptor for Physician, Physician Assistant, Nurse Practitioners, Medical Case 

Manager, reviewing and approving their notes to ensure accuracy and compliance with clinic 

protocols. 

3. Oversee the entire healthcare program for the organization, including clinical policies, procedures, 

and quality assurance processes. 

4. Monitor and improve quality of patient care and outcomes, implementing strategies to enhance care 

delivery. 

5. Ensure compliance with Indian Health Service (IHS), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 

(CMS), and other governing bodies’ regulations. 

6. Participate in professional development to stay current on medical advancements. 

7. Collaborate with clinic administration to implement strategic initiatives for operational efficiently. 

8.   Manage a significant portion of duties (often 60% administrative/40% clinical.  

9. Provides oversight for staff development and training in alignment with accreditation, federal, state, 

and Tribal policies and regulations.  

10. Initiate thorough patient interviews/medical histories and coordinate appropriate diagnostic 

and screening tests/examinations. 

11. Deliver preliminary diagnosis to patients and direct, prescribe, or provide a full treatment 

regimen, including health education, health maintenance, prescription medications, and 

follow-up services. 

12.   Prepare, maintain, and update physical and electronic medical records in accordance 

with sound medical practice guidelines and organizational need. 

13.   Coordinate patient referrals for specialty health care, including coordination with 

TRIHCI's Purchased Referred Care department and available telemedicine programs. 

14.  Admit or coordinate the admission of patients to area hospitals as necessary. 

15.   Coordinate, supervise, perform, and/or review routine lab work and therapeutic 

procedures including injections, immunizations, debridement, suture and care of superficial 

wounds, and other procedures. 

16. Contribute to the evaluation of clinic programs and quality improvement through   participation, 

development, and implementation of quality improvement initiatives. 

17. Attend and contribute to all required meetings/consultations including general and medical 

staff meetings, and all specialized committee meetings. 

18. Assist clinical staff in monitoring, determining the need for, and ordering medical supplies, 

equipment, and medications kept onsite. 

19. Effectively represent TRIHCI by leading and participating in all program reviews by 

regulatory agencies (IHS, IHP, CHDP, Managed Care system, etc.). 

20. Ensure all required medical reports are completed in a timely manner, including annual 

diabetic audits, immunization reports, BOD reports, and other reports. 

21. Direct, monitor, and contribute to the development of mid-level providers through protocols, 

policies and procedures, and direct coaching. 

22. Develop and propose to the CEO, new medical standing orders, policies and guidelines, and 

treatment protocols as required by leadership or law. 

Additional Responsibilities May Include

1. Carryout special assignments to upgrade clinical quality of care and administration as assigned. 

2. Other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty 

satisfactorily. The requirements listed here are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities 

required In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), reasonable accommodations may be 

made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

1. Must possess broad competency with medical skills and knowledge and be able to effectively apply them in an ambulatory outpatient setting. 

2. Must possess or be able to obtain specific regulatory knowledge as it pertains to Indian health from entities such as IHS, CRIHB, IHP, and the State of California. 

3. Must have good communication skills, be able to effectively communicate with diverse populations, and be willing to convey responsibilities to patients. 

4. Demonstrate the ability to work independently in carrying out assignments while remaining reliable and dependable. 

5. Possess basic computer and database software operation knowledge and demonstrate a working knowledge of routine office hardware and equipment (e. g. printers, copiers, fax machines, etc.). 

6. Must demonstrate the ability to maintain accurate records and preparing clear and accurate reports for informational, auditing, and operational use, including capacities for attention to detail and for reviewing and verifying accuracy of data.

7. Possess the ability to organize and follow one's own work schedule (i. e. setting priorities, 

being available during work hours, and meeting critical deadlines). 

8. Possess the ability to perform well in group problem-solving situations and use reason even when dealing with highly emotional topics. 

9. Possess the ability to become knowledgeable of health needs and services provided to the Indian community both on and near the reservation. 

10. Demonstrate the competency and integrity to maintain the confidentiality of organizational, employee, and client records. 

11. Possess the ability to deliver effective education, training, and presentations on technical medical subjects to large and/or small groups of various educational and cultural backgrounds. 

12. Knowledge of causes means of transmission and methods of control of communicable disease, principles and practices of diagnosis and treatment of common medical problems. 

Education And/or Experience

Valid medical degree from an accredited School of Medicine 

Certificates, Licenses, Registration

1. A current California Driver's License and a good driving record are required for this position and be 

insurable through TRIHCI insurance agency throughout employment.  

2. Current unrestricted medical licensure in the State of California 

3. Current BCLS certification, DEA and National Provider Identification (NPI) registration numbers 

4. ACLS and/or PALS certification; and the ability to obtain local hospital admitting privileges are 

preferred for this position; 

Preferred Qualifications and Contingencies

1. Two (2) to four (4) years prior supervisory medical experience in an ambulatory medicine but would consider strong applications coming from the residency program  

 2. Board certification by American Board of Family Medicine

3. Knowledge pertaining to AAAHC or JACHO standards for accreditation and patient care also preferred

TRIHCI maintains a drug-and alcohol-free workplace, and all offers of employment are contingent on the 

successful completion of a criminal background check, a post offer drug test and physical, TB Test, and 

verification of each candidate's right to work in the United States. 

Preference in hiring is given to qualified American Indians in accordance with the Indian Preference Act (Title 25, 

US Code, Sections 472 & 473). Applicants claiming Indian Preference must submit Indian verification, certified by 

Tribe of affiliation or other acceptable documentation of Indian heritage.  

Physical Work Environment

The description provided here is representative of those conditions in which the 

Family Practice Medical Director will be required to perform the essential functions of this position. As stated earlier, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. 

While performing the duties of this position, the Family Practice Medical Director is situated in a standard office envir