CRNA System Medical Director

Job Details

Description

The position facilitates communication and understanding among the various clinical components within the Deaconess Anesthesia Service Line assuring the provision of high-quality care to the patients served by our Health System. The CRNA System Medical Director provides medical perspective, knowledge, experience, and leadership to the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) of the Deaconess Anesthesia Service Line and communication between CRNAs, Physicians, and administrative leadership. The CRNA Systems Medical Director is part of the Anesthesia Leadership team and is primarily responsible for carrying out these duties as they relate to CRNAs. The definition of Anesthesia Leadership may vary from time to time and assignment of the CRNA System Medical Director responsibilities will be defined in the current organizational chart.

This is a position that provides substantial input into the direction and operations of the CRNAs as a critical part of the Anesthesia Service Line and its relationships with Deaconess Health System. It has a wide range of involvement from liaison duties with CRNAs to the development of patient safety initiatives. 

The CRNA System Medical Director will work closely in these responsibilities with the Senior Vice President, System Administrative Director, Anesthesia System Medical Director, Site Medical Directors, and Practice Administrators/Managers. When directed they are to carry out their duties in other areas of the Anesthesia Department. This position is open to internal applicants only.

Duties and Responsibilities

To foster patient centered medical care with the aim of developing better care, resulting in better outcomes and lower costs. Helping establish efficient workflows, practice protocols and guidelines for managing patient care in anesthesia services. Advocating, monitoring, and maintaining a system that provides feedback to providers, individually and collectively, with regard to their cost effectiveness, assisting them to achieve selected utilization, cost and quality outcomes and (among other things) financial goals.

Working jointly with the Operational Leadership Team; takes the lead clinical role in formulating and implementing Deaconess patient care strategy as it relates to CRNA practice ensuring that the range services provided is appropriate and sustainable and that any proposed changes and developments are clinically sound, and economically efficient.

Assist with the recruitment of practitioners to the community and provide direction for new service and program opportunities. Assist with the orientation and evaluation of new CRNAs to Deaconess Health System.

Provide all CRNAs with regular follow-up in regards to performance in terms of quality metrics, patient satisfaction, working well with the CRNA team and productivity metrics. Serve as a guide to new CRNAs to help them transition successfully to become a successful part of the Anesthesia Department and contribute to Deaconess’ success. When a provider is found to have performance deficiencies, it is the responsibility of the CRNA System Medical Director to work with, mentor and help address deficiencies directly or to otherwise ensure the help needed is provided.

Conducts performance reviews during any probation and/or initial contract renewal periods, and provides summary report for appropriate Board review and consideration within six (6) months prior to contract renewal/notice requirements.

Contribute to the development and implementation of the Deaconess long term vision, strategic direction and governance arrangements across all markets. Oversee the professional environment required to promote high quality patient care and sound business operations both financially and personally for CRNAs, and conductive to the delivery of the Hospital’s clinical strategy and wider objectives and values. 

Assist the Senior Vice President and System Administrative Director in assuring that all required professional, clinical and administrative policies and procedures are followed by CRNAs, including but not limited to, completion of medical records, appropriateness of clinical care, charge/encounter submission, coding, availability on call, and continuing medical education. Ensure procedures are in place for the direct reporting of observations and/or concerns from staff or fellow physicians regarding conduct, performance or behavior of a CRNA that is potentially hazardous to patient safety.

As appropriate ensure communication with CRNAs regarding patient complaints with recommended solutions. As appropriate communicate with all patients making complaints and inform Anesthesia administration regarding specific complaints. Ensure that appropriate chart review, history from complainant, provider or other involved party(ies) is carried out and that just handling of any complaints is completed. This will be done by a Medical Director and/or the Patient Relations & Reporting Specialist or qualified designee.

Assist the provider coding team in review and communication of issues related to provider coding and compliance with standards of documentation and billing.

Work with the Anesthesia Administrative team on all relevant risk management matters. Works cooperatively with the DHS Risk Manager in regards to medical malpractice actions or potential actions against CRNAs of the Anesthesia Department.

Maintain regular communication with key leaders in the Health System to represent the Anesthesia Service Line and the providers. This includes but is not limited to, Surgery leadership, Procedure Center Leadership, all Physician and APP groups, EPIC leadership, Pharmacy, Risk Management. The CRNA System Medical Director along with the Senior VP will regularly communicate Health System information to the Anesthesia CRNAs to assist the engagement and alignment of the Anesthesia providers to the Health system goals and vision.

Regular attendance and representation of Deaconess Anesthesia Department at Leadership level meetings and committees which involve decisions which affect the operations and direction of the Anesthesia Service Line.

Facilitate and lead CRNA Service Line Leadership Council meetings.

Direct Reports

The CRNA System Medical Director serves as the principal interface between CRNAs and Physicians and the administration of Deaconess Health System. Functions such as quality improvement, clinical performance improvement and compliance for the CRNAs within the Anesthesia Service Line are also direct responsibilities. The CRNA System Medical Director will work with the Lead CRNAs and in collaboration with the Site Directors and the Anesthesia System Medical Director to oversee all of the above duties.

Reporting Relationships

The CRNA System Medical Director is professionally responsible to the Senior Vice President, CMO Deaconess Clinic.

The CRNA System Medical Director is administratively responsible to the System Director, Anesthesia Service Line.

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