Position Specification

President of Medical Affairs (Chief Medical Officer)

Riverview Hospital Association       

The Organization

Riverview Hospital Association was organized by community leaders in 1912 to operate a local hospital and otherwise fill the health care needs of Wisconsin Rapids, South Wood County and the surrounding areas. Riverview Hospital Association today remains one of the few independent, community-owned and operated health care providers in Wisconsin.

The Riverview Hospital Association owns and operates:

Riverview Hospital - established in 1912 and expanded many times over the years. The current hospital building opened in 1967, with additions in 1976, 1983, 1994, 2002 and 2003. The outpatient Riverview Rehabilitation Center moved to a community location in 1992 and currently is located northeast of the hospital in Riverview's Bethke Building.  Licensed for 99 beds, Riverview Hospital also provides a wide range of outpatient and a full range of specialty medical services, including the UW Cancer Center Riverview.  It recently opened a new inpatient tower and an active “Family Birthplace" center featuring 7 LDRP rooms and an OR for c-sections. The hospital has some 600 annual births in the FB center.  In keeping with its mission to "to provide compassionate, affordable, state-of-the-art healthcare to [its] communities," Riverview Hospital Association has grown into more than what is typical for a small community hospital. With the continuous growth in the last 10 years, and with cooperative relationships with other regional care providers and physicians, Riverview has been able to deliver a broad array of specialty medical services that previously would have only been available in much larger systems. 

Riverview Family Clinic - organized in 1996 to fill a community need for primary medical care in the physician office setting. This service includes three offices located in Wisconsin Rapids (Riverview East Medical Building), Nekoosa (Riverview Family Clinic Nekoosa) and the Rome-Lakes area (Lakes Area Medical Center).

UW Cancer Center Riverview - opened in 2003 in cooperation with UW Comprehensive Cancer Center, Madison, and UW Cancer Center Aspirus Wausau Hospital. UW Cancer Center Riverview provides a full range of cancer services including state-of-the-art Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT). Patients have access to consultations and resources through the world-renowned UW Comprehensive Cancer Center, the only comprehensive cancer center in Wisconsin as designated by the National Cancer Institute. In November 2006 UW Cancer Center Riverview became the first in central Wisconsin to offer TomoTherapy, the most sophisticated and effective image-guided and intensity-modulated radiation therapy that exists today.  Invented by scientists and oncologists at the world-renowned University of Wisconsin Paul P. Carbone Comprehensive Cancer Center, TomoTherapy uses CT scanning plus highly targeted beams delivered from all possible angles to attack tumors and cure cancers with unprecedented precision. Because each beam angle includes only a small amount of radiation, the body’s healthy tissue is unharmed, with virtually no pain or side effects from the treatments.

Riverview’s TomoTherapy unit is one of only seven in the state and one of the few stand-alone units in the world. It is the only unit using remote cancer treatment planning and as such is developing the model for small cancer centers anywhere in the world to provide the very latest, most sophisticated care. Patients at UW Cancer Center Riverview receive care from the best medical team assembled at any small hospital cancer center in the world.

Riverview Community Dental Clinic - was established in 2009 by Riverview Hospital Association to serve residents of South Wood County who are participants in the State of Wisconsin Medicaid or BadgerCare Plus programs.

Membership in the Riverview Hospital Association is open to all adults who reside within Riverview's service area (generally southern Wood County, the adjacent portion of southwestern Portage County and northern Adams County). Current membership is approximately 800.  The Board of Directors meets monthly to oversee the business and affairs of Riverview Hospital Association. The Board of Directors consists of 15 members, with five elected each December to 3-year terms.

Presently, there are approximately 50 active and 80 associate/consulting medical staff affiliated with Riverview Hospital Association. There are seven physicians and two nurse practitioners employed in the Riverview Family Clinic and one medical oncologist with the Cancer Center.  Hospitalists are employed by Hospitalist Management Group (HMG) and contracted to Riverview Hospital.  Also, Milwaukee’s Infinity HealthCare has the  contract to manage and provide physician coverage at the Emergency Department at Riverview Hospital. There are about 30,000 annual visits to the Riverview Emergency Department.

Riverview Hospital Association delivers a high quality of service.  There was a successful JCAHO survey in June 2009 where Riverview received the full three year accreditation with commendation.

For additional information about Riverview Hospital Association please visit:  www.rhahealthcare.org.

The Position

Location

The position is located in Wisconsin Rapids, part of South Wood County, which was rated recently as one of the best small cities in America. Riverview Hospital Association primarily serves the 50,000 people who live in South Wood County, including the cities of Wisconsin Rapids and Nekoosa, villages of Port Edwards, Biron, Rudolph and Vesper, the towns of Grand Rapids and Saratoga and various perimeter townships. Riverview Hospital Association also serves the adjacent Lakes recreational area in the far northern Adams County town of Rome, which includes the communities of Lake Arrowhead, Lake Sherwood and Lake Camelot.

The Wisconsin River runs right through the city of Wisconsin Rapids, offering natural beauty and ideal recreational resources. Year-round activities from golfing, boating, fishing and hunting to winter sports make it an ideal spot for relaxation and diversion. Shopping centers, theatrical productions, concerts and other regional arts events add to personal enjoyment and enrichment and are available in the community or other cities in close proximity to Wisconsin Rapids.

The Wisconsin River is a powerful natural resource. It has played a prominent role for many Wisconsin Rapids businesses, from the saw mills of the early 1830s to modern manufacturing and agriculture. South Wood County is a leader in the printing paper industry and the world's largest inland cranberry producer.

Wisconsin Rapids is a scenic river-side community by rolling hills, woods and cranberry marshes.  The area is recognized for its outstanding schools, family-oriented lifestyle. In fact, South Wood County is known for excellence in education, with many award-winning parochial and public elementary and secondary schools.  There are excellent recreational opportunities, low cost of living, low crime rate and superior quality of life.  Wisconsin Rapids is centrally located and there is easy access to Wausau, Stevens Point (with the University of Wisconsin), Appleton, and Madison.  Milwaukee, Chicago and Minneapolis are all also within a half-day’s drive.

For more information about Wisconsin Rapids and South Wood County please visit: http://www.visitwisrapids.com or http://www.co.wood.wi.us.

Reporting Relationships
The President of Medical Affairs (PMA) will report to the Executive Committee of the Riverview Hospital Association Board of Directors. As such, the PMA will respond to any request by the President of the Hospital or the President of the Medical Staff to attend, participate and advise in other areas of responsibility, and will accept assignment to other duties as appropriate to the position. 

The PMA will be supported by the Vice President of Quality Improvement, who has about 12 direct reports with responsibility for Infection Control, Case Management, Ethics, Patient Advocacy, Lean Six Sigma, Medical Staff Credentialing, Clinical Document Improvement, RAC Response, and administrative support.

Key Working Relationships and Committees
In order to be successful, the PMA will be required to establish effective working relationships with a variety of persons and groups.  The PMA will certainly be a people savvy leader who can define and nurture a cohesive physician culture. Accordingly, a new leadership paradigm will be necessary in order to establish credibility with individual practicing physicians and achieve the strategic plans of Riverview Hospital Association.

The PMA shall attend all general Medical Staff meetings, and will be an ex-officio, non-voting member of any Medical Staff Committee and the EC/MS.  Committee participation will likely include the Executive Committee of the Medical Staff, which meets monthly.  The PMA will also likely attend most other Medical Staff Committee meetings such as Infection Control, Obstetrics, Pharmacy & Therapeutic, and Medical Staff Credentialing. The PMA shall be an Administrative representative on the Credentialing Committee, and shall be expected to work closely with the Quality Assurance and Improvement committee, the Patient Care Appraisal Committee, the EC/MS, and the meetings of the general Medical Staff on matters pertaining to his/her areas of responsibility. 

The PMA shall assist the President of the Medical Staff in his/her monthly report to the Board of Directors on matters pertinent to the discharging of the functions of the organized medical staff.  Such reports shall include, but not be limited to, reporting on professional questions with respect to quality assurance and EC/MS activities, reporting on credentials and their merit, and other activities that influence the quality of medical care in the association.

The PMA is expected to periodically attend regular Administrative meetings of the Hospital Administration, and is expected to participate as: Administrative Representative (without vote) of the Riverview Hospital Board of Directors; Administrative Representative (without vote) of the Credentialing Committee; Administrative Representative (with vote) on the Board of Directors Quality Assurance and Improvement Committee; and other committees as appointment by the Board of Directors. Additional administrative committee participation may include the IT Steering Committee (for EMR implementation which is 85% complete and for CPOE where full MD order entry is planned for the next 12 months).

Responsibilities

The PMA is the administrative official appointed by the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors, who is accountable for medical administrative affairs and senior hospital management leadership in working with and assisting the organized Medical Staff and its officers in the effective discharge of the Medical Staff’s organizational purposes, responsibilities and functions as set forth in the Riverview Hospital Medical Staff Bylaws. 

The PMA, working in concert with the organized Medical Staff and the Director of Quality Improvement, will assume the overall primary administrative responsibility of ensuring that the highest quality of medical care is provided, and that the highest standards of medical education be maintained in the institution. 

The PMA has the authority to review all documents and other information that are relevant to Medical Affairs, including, but not limited to, Association meeting minutes, patient records, Medical Staff personnel records and records concerning the hospital’s arrangement with other parties that impact Medical Affairs. 

As a member of the hospital’s senior management staff, the PMA will help provide leadership in the planning and executing of the hospital’s strategic plan, assuring financial success, assuring clinical quality, maintaining accreditation/ regulatory compliance and promoting a positive organizational work environment. 

The initial major thrust of the PMA will be to foster the development of a unified organizational culture which will facilitate the vision of Riverview Hospital Association to continue and to expand as the provider of choice for medical care in Wisconsin Rapids and Wood County achieving the organization’s growth plans. The management of a diverse medical staff and multiple affiliated medical groups requires careful attention to culture, communications, and decision-making among other aspects of human dynamics.  The dimensions related to quality healthcare and organizational trust are particularly noteworthy.  The following comprise the major responsibilities and expectations of the person who accepts the PMA position:

•    The PMA will be responsible for the development and monitoring of all departmental budgets under his/her professional responsibility.

• The PMA, in concert with the Director of Quality Improvement will provide leadership and oversight of the hospital’s performance improvement and safety programs, will facilitate the organization’s quality assurance programs and will ensure that mechanisms are in place to keep the President of the Medical Staff, the Executive Committee of the Medical Staff, the Association President (CEO), and the Board of Directors informed of such findings and the recommendations and actions taken pursuant to the findings. 

• In the interests of Riverview Hospital, the PMA shall offer consultation to the Medical Staff Officers, Executive Committee of the Medical Staff (EC/MS), Bylaws Committee and Credentialing Committee, and the Risk Management functions of the Hospital.  This liaison activity may include issues relevant to corporation Bylaws, Hospital policies, government regulations and risk management. 

• The PMA will assist the Clinical Service Chiefs, Credentials Committee Chair, and EC/MS in their efforts to consistently and objectively recommend appropriate privileges for both incumbent and applicant Medical Staff, and will help ensure that a fair and timely process is in place to act on requests for new privileges.

• The PMA will assist the Clinical Service Chiefs, Credentialing Committee Chair, and EC/MS in assuring that necessary criteria and professional standards regarding applications for appointment and re-appointment to the Medical Staff are established and strictly adhered to. 

• The PMA shall act as the institution’s Institutional Review Committee (IRC) signatory officer responsible for organization and functioning of the IRC in compliance with federal, state and local regulations.

• The PMA will assist the Medical Staff in assuring that procedures for the proctoring of all new Staff appointees and incumbent members with newly granted privileges are established and kept current, and that results are reported to appropriate committees in a timely manner. 

• The PMA, in concert with the Medical Staff officers and clinical service chiefs will enforce the Medical Staff Bylaws, Rules and Regulations, according to due process outlined in the Bylaws of the Medical Staff, and through existing Medical Staff channels.

• The PMA shall be responsible for making certain that all necessary steps of due process are afforded the individual, and that approved monitoring/counseling systems are implemented whenever corrective action steps are undertaken in regard to deficiencies in clinical performance, personal conduct or any other cause. 

• Riverview Hospital Association has selected Meditech as its prime IT vendor and the EMR module is some 85% complete in the hospital.  Nevertheless, CPOE and full physician order entry has not yet been implemented.  In fact, physician utilization needs to increase from its present level of 10% as the focus on CPOE occurs over the next 12 months. Careful attention to full implementation will require early involvement and oversight. 

• The PMA may continue to practice direct medical care on a limited basis in order to help build and maintain trust and credibility among physician peers.

• The PMA will oversee medical quality initiatives and programs for Riverview Hospital Association. As such, this person will need to assess the quality of medical care to patients, identify areas that need improvement, and develop and implement systems for improvement. Additionally, the PMA will provide leadership for clinical practice guideline development and implementation. A review of medical quality indicators is presently underway.

• The PMA will need to create an exceptional work environment within the Hospital Association environment. Related to this will be oversight for all functions related to the recruitment and retention of physicians.

• The PMA will also serve as liaison between the various systems inside and outside the Hospital Association, including other medical organizations in the community, consumers, and other systems that may affect the business of the Hospital Association and its affiliates.

• The PMA should develop a succession plan for the five (5) Clinical Services Chiefs.

While many of these responsibilities may be delegated as appropriate to the PMA, additional areas of oversight could include:

• Responsibility for all functions related to the recruitment of physicians for Riverview Hospital Association. Actively participates in the recruitment process; e.g., telephone interviews, face-to-face interviews, site visits, recruitment plans and strategies.

• Manages the process for dealing with impaired professionals.

• Mediates professional disputes and interdepartmental problems involving physicians, as needed.

• Resolves grievances from or involving physicians. Ensures appropriate processes are in place for handling grievances against physicians, nurses, other staff, etc. Response to complaints in a timely fashion and in accordance with established guidelines.

Opportunity

The PMA will have the opportunity to take a diverse and independent group of exemplary physicians complemented by a highly recognized regional medical facility to the highest level of quality and economy providing the highest quality care through all stages of life.

Compensation

An attractive, competitive compensation program will be tailored to the specific needs of qualified candidates. The hired candidate will receive full relocation assistance and benefits that are usual and customary for this level position in the organization. 

The Candidate

Education/Certifications

A Board certified licensed physician with recent medical practice experience is required.  An MD or DO degree is required. A Master’s degree in Business Administration or related discipline is strongly preferred.

A Member of ACHE/ACPE/MGMA is preferred along with completion of Continuing Education courses each year to maintain current knowledge and understanding of operational issues as well as advancements in specialty field.

Professional Qualifications

The ideal candidate for the PMA of Riverview Hospital Association would have experience as an administrative leader, i.e., President/COO in a medium to large medical group, health system CMO/senior leader.  In addition, the successful candidate should possess the following:

• Five to ten years of medical practice in primary care or another specialty, but this person must have a demonstrated orientation to or understanding of primary care in a group practice setting.

• Visionary leadership, the ability to manage rapid change and establish transformational leadership in a dynamic environment.

• Excellent physician relationship skills and the ability to work collegially with medical professionals in partnership toward achieving mutual objectives.

• Strong communication skills.

• Experience with the management and implementation of physician compensation plans.

• Experience in a competitive healthcare environment.

• Superb facilitation skills with the ability to motivate others.  The ability to bring consensus through collaboration.

• Experience in the advocating for quality and safety, especially through embracing, adopting and using clinical information systems. Familiarity with the Meditech electronic medical record system is highly desirable.

• Experience with clinical performance improvement.
  

Personal Characteristics

The following represents a list of personal traits, attitudes and habits that Riverview Hospital Association identifies as keys to success in the role of PMA:

• A systemic thinker with the ability to see the big picture

• A competent, strong leader with organizational skills.

• Someone who can gather opinions by drawing out the perspectives of others.

• Someone with a good balance of theory and practice.

• Personal, approachable individual with excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

• A person who can handle diversity of personalities and interact effectively with people at all levels of the organization.

• A bright, polished physician executive with politically savvy.

• Strong, adaptable manager with a collaborative management style.

• Team player and consensus builder who promotes concepts of people working together versus individual performance.

• Someone who is self-confident, secure, yet assertive without being arrogant.

• Someone who can establish credibility and command the respect of physicians and other medical professionals.

• A creative, results-oriented, self-motivated person with a strong work ethic focused on success.

• An advocate for Informatics and information technology in healthcare.

• An open, flexible person who has a high tolerance for ambiguity and change.

• A person with vision, who can strive for excellence and the development of a world class organization. 

• A person of integrity and positive in their approach to issues and people.

• Someone who is never satisfied with achievement, but instead who constantly strives for improvement.