INTRODUCTION

Under the supervision of the Medical Director for Correctional Health, the Lead Physician - OTP is responsible for, but not limited to, the oversight and supervision of the OTP program and provision of culturally competent care to patients in his/her/their designated specialty. This includes the diagnosis and treatment of physical and behavioral health conditions, treatment for opioid use disorder, counseling and education, and continued comprehensive health care of any patient seen at Unity. The Provider is responsible for the clinical and administrative tasks required to deliver quality, safe healthcare services. By the nature of the profession, the level of assignment will call for a maximum degree of knowledge, professional judgment and ingenuity.

MAJOR DUTIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Supports the health center and organization in contributing to the quadruple aim: improving health outcomes, improving patient experience, supporting care team well-being and the financial sustainability of the organization

OTP Program Responsibilities

• Provide direct care to patients with opioid use disorder who are considering or participating in treatment with methadone, including
• Conduct appropriate histories, physical exams, interpretation of diagnostic studies and developing treatment plans including referrals, non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic interventions.
• Develop a therapeutic relationship with patients.
• Collaborate with other providers, nurses, addiction counselors, peer support navigators to assist patients with improving their health and wellbeing.
• Assist in coordination of care with community providers after release.
• Supervise the clinical care of all other methadone treatment providers with prescriptive authority at the OTP, via
  1. Providing real-time consultations as needed related to patient care
  2. Conducting periodic chart reviews
  3. Leading quality improvement initiatives
  4. Updating OTP policies and procedures as needed
• Supervise or delegate supervision of all other OTP services including nursing functions, addiction counseling and peer support services to ensure adherence to OTP policies and procedures.
• Partner with delegated supervisors to ensure quality of care for patients enrolled in the Opioid Treatment Program
• Assure program adherence to federal regulations from SAMHSA and the DEA and local regulations from the Department of Behavioral Health.
• Assist with providing data to grantors and certifying organizations, including the Department of Behavioral Health, NCCHC and ACA.
• Interface with outside organizations including the Department of Behavioral Health, the State Opioid Treatment Authority, and community opioid treatment programs.

Health Outcomes

Performs patient care, health services, and other provider duties in a safe way that is compliant with policies and procedures of Unity Health Care. This includes:

• Taking clinical histories or assessments
• Conducting physical examinations and evaluations as appropriate
• Determining diagnostic and screening tests needed and interprets the results
• Medical and clinical decision-making including diagnosis and treatment plan, emergently if needed
• Preventive health maintenance and education
• Referrals to hospitals, specialists, social services or other providers when needed
• Actively participates in quality improvement initiatives at the Center and seeks to continuously improve the quality of care for their patients.
• Conducts thorough peer reviews and provides constructive feedback to peers
• Documents in the medical chart in an appropriate and timely manner
• Reviews and implements clinical best practices and optimizes CME time to stay up to date
• Maintains a culture of safety and completes incident reports when issues arise and participates in the problem solving and improvement process
• Collaborates with health center leadership and staff on panel and population management
• Maintains clinical privileges and responds to inquiries in a timely and complete manner

Patient Experience

• Reviews patient experience data with medical director and translates into action steps to ensure a welcoming, patient-centered environment for all patients
• Communicates to patients respectfully and partners with them in their care by spending time actively listening and clearly explaining their recommendations
• Provides culturally competent and high-quality care and uses translation services when needed
• Timely in all patient facing duties- visits, returning phone calls, notifying of test results
• Responds to patient complaints and works towards resolution for the patient
• Provides excellent customer service and professionalism towards patients
• Maintains a clinical schedule that allows access for patients, including providing sufficient notice for time off, and providing options for patients to be seen when rescheduled on short notice
• Handles telephone calls after hours on a rotating basis as applies to their specialty
• Promptness to work

Care Team Well-Being

• Embraces team mentality- including building trust, exchanging feedback, and showing appreciation with team members. Leads by example and works closely with others to provide comprehensive, team-based care
• Provide recognition to providers and team members who are performing well
• Teaches and coaches staff members to work at the top of their ability
• Participates in student and resident teaching as requested by Medical Director
• Attends and actively engages at team, center and organization-wide meetings
• Recognizes when they may be experiencing burnout and takes steps to improve it
• Displays professional conduct in all interactions and recognizes and reports concerns about professionalism in self or others
• Demonstrates flexibility and agility in working with others to meet the needs of patients

Financial Health

• Monitors own productivity and utilization levels and works with health center leadership to identify opportunities to optimize visit volume
• Be willing to see patients if needed (e.g., late patients, walk-in patients) as the schedule and time allows
• Educate patients on the value of a health care visit
• Leverages nursing visits and other staff where appropriate
• Participate in population health efforts
• Work collaboratively with Medical Director to schedule patients to promote access
• Creatively identifies way to improve flow and efficiency in your day and works collaboratively with team members to implement improvements
• Locks notes in a timely manner (within 48 hours) and fixes and addresses any outstanding claims

Other Duties

• Serves on committee(s) as requested by Medical Director or CMO (e.g. P&T, Infection Prevention etc.).
• Effectively and ethically handles all forms of communication according to Unity Policy
• Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Must have a current DC Professional License. Must have CDS and DEA (registered in DC) registrations if a prescribing provider.
• Graduate of an accredited school of medicine or nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or other relevant professional school
• Board eligible or board certified/ licensed in area of specialty. Must be board certified/ licensed within one year of hire.
• The Medical Director will be proficient in the management of pharmacotherapy for OUD.
• Must be willing to accept "on call" duties on a regular rotation and sessions on evenings and weekends when needed to provide patient coverage.

This position reports to the Medical Director for Correctional Health.

GUIDELINES

The position abides by all rules and regulations set forth by applicable licensing and regulatory bodies and the UHC policies and procedures.

PERSONAL CONTACTS

The position requires contact with staff at all levels throughout the organization. There are also external organization relationships that may be a part of the work of the incumbent.

PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

Some walking, standing, bending, and carrying of light items such as books and paper is required. For additional information, refer to ADA checklist.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

OTHER SIGNIFICANT FACTSThe incumbent must be able to balance the needs of diverse constituencies on a daily basis.

RISKS

The position involves everyday risk and discomforts, which require normal safety pre-cautions typical of such places as offices, meetings, training rooms, and other UHC health Care Sites. The work area is adequately lit, heated, and ventilated. All medical services shall be provided according to medically accepted community standards of care. The employee shall provide evidence of recent (within the past twelve (12) months) health assessment that includes a PPD and/or chest x-ray results.