POSITION TITLE: Health Director

DEPARTMENT: Health and Human Services (HHS)

REPORTS TO: Executive Director HHS

FLSA STATUS: Full Time, Exempt

SALARY: $140,172 - $175,215 annual

Opening Date: Open until Filled, First review May 24, 2024

***If you are an American Indian/Alaska Native and/or a Veteran and would like this to be considered for hiring, please note this on your cover letter and/or resume***

Position Summary:

Develops and implements the strategic goals and objectives of CIT’s health services. Provides leadership and direction towards the improvement of the Tribe’s health service delivery system including strategy, and strategic goals and objectives in accordance with all applicable tribal, state, and federal rules and regulations. Refines policies and procedures; develops and expands services while navigating through legal and regulatory changes and issues. Adheres to HIPAA and confidentially requirements. Honors and represents the mission, vision, values of CIT and of the HHS department.

***If you are an American Indian/Alaska Native and/or a Veteran and would like this to be considered for hiring, please note this on your cover letter and/or resume***

This list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only of the tasks performed by this position and is not all-inclusive.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Directs the primary care, public health and wellness service delivery system of at all locations.
• Assumes full accountability for managing all health care and administrative activities.
• Develops and implements long and short-term strategic plans, goals and objectives in conjunction with the executive director and Health Board based on sound data that informs the direction and provision of health care for Cowlitz Indian tribe.
• Increases managements and staff effectiveness by recruiting, selecting, orienting, training, coaching, counseling, and disciplining staff; communicating values, strategies, and objectives; assigning accountabilities; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results; developing incentives; developing a climate for offering information and opinions; integrating functional objectives; providing and participating in educational opportunities.
• Recommends and develops proposed policies or policy revision for approval; implements procedures for such approved policies and assures consistent implementation.
• Analyzes legislative, regulatory, policy and other industry changes; provides briefings to Executive Director, Tribal Council, and Health Board.
• Analyzes health service needs of eligible beneficiaries in all locations and makes recommendations to Executive Director, Tribal Council, and Health Board.
• Develops and maintains an organization structure for all health services to meet the service needs of the community; ensures development of clearly defined job descriptions and reporting relationships of staff.
• Ensures compliance with fiscal policies of health services; recommends and directs the implementation of policies concerning budget and fiscal operations that provide sound business and fiscal management.
• Oversees a responsive managed contract health care program; authorizes referrals and payments for contract health services; and negotiates provider contracts.
• Ensures that health services have a systematic plan to improve, assess and monitor the quality of the management of clinical and support processes as defined by accrediting bodies.
• Evaluates and recommends opportunities to expand care.
• Oversees the development and maintenance of an effective patient grievance system ensuring the timely follow-up and resolution of grievances and complaints.
• Coordinates with quality improvement and compliance programs to ensure quality assurance and improvement systems are in accordance with generally acceptable practice and standards.
• Identifies, minimizes and manages areas that have potential risk.
• Represents CIT health services department at appropriate functions and meetings.
• Recommends yearly budget for board approval and prudently manages health services ‘resources within established guidelines; achieves the financial objectives of the organization by exercising control and implementation over the budgetary processes of all health service programs, facilities and capital budgets.
• Directs the development of proposals and grants to secure additional funding and grant monies for continuation and expansion of health delivery services.
• Establishes and maintains effective communication systems both within HHS and with various external agencies.
• Identifies community needs and issues and communicates plans and concerns to HHS Executive Team.
• Hosts regular staff meetings to ensure accurate and effective communication across departments within the health program- clinic, garden, wellness etc.
• Ensures compliance with federal and state regulations.
• Maintains current working knowledge of trends and legislation in community healthcare.
• Prepares and presents reports on the status, activities and plans for current and future operations to the Tribal Manager, Health Board, Executive Council or Tribal Council as needed.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by conducting research, attending seminars, educational workshops, classes and conferences; reviewing professional publications; establishing networks; participating in professional societies; conferring with representatives of contracting agencies and related organizations.
• Contributes to a team effort and accomplishes related results as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

· Knowledge of applicable federal, state, county and local laws, regulations, and requirements.

· Knowledge of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act and Affordable Care Act

· Knowledge of finance, budgeting, accounting and cost control procedures.

· Knowledge of the interrelationships and interdependencies among various medical and administrative services and programs within Native American communities.

· Knowledge of the provisions of PL 93-638, Indian Self Determination and Education Assistance Act.

· Knowledge of accreditation processes and requirements.

• Knowledge and understanding of the Cowlitz language preferred.

· Skill in coaching and consulting management and executive level employees.

· Skill in operating various word-processing and database software programs in a Windows environment.

· Skill in making effective decisions in emergency situations.

· Ability to interpret applicable federal, state, county and local laws, regulations, and requirements.

· Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.

· Ability to interact and maintain good working relationships with individuals of varying social and cultural backgrounds.

· Ability to maintain confidentiality.

· Ability to analyze situations and adopt appropriate courses of action.

· Ability to establish and maintain professional relationships with co-workers at all levels.

· Ability to work independently and meet strict timelines.

· Ability to create and present effective speeches and presentations.

· Ability to make solid decisions and exercise independent judgment.

· Ability to be persuasive and tactful in controversial situations.

· Ability to interpret applicable federal, state, county and local laws, regulations, and requirements.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in public health administration, hospital administration, Health Administration or Public or Business administration with course work in health care administration
• Seven years of progressively responsible analytical or administrative, or clinical management or supervisory experience in the health care field.
• A combination of qualifying education and related work experience operating a health care facility in a Tribal, Indian Health Service or Urban Indian health program may be considered. Qualified experience must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position and total number of hours per week performing qualified experience.
• Must have experience applying regulations of the Affordable Care Act.
• Valid driver’s license is required.
• Must be able to successfully pass a background screening / investigation according to the established requirements below.

Tribal preference in accordance with Cowlitz Indian Tribe Code and CIT Employee Policies and Procedures Handbook shall apply to all positions. All positions are required to adhere to CIT’s established safety policies regarding vaccine requirements and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Background Investigation Requirements:

• Pre-employment drug screen.
• Reference checks, education and employment verification.
• Federal, state, and/or tribal criminal history and sanction checks including fingerprint verification.
• Has not been found guilty of, charged with, received a deferred sentence, received a conditional discharge of, or entered a plea of not contest to, or entered a plea of guilty to any one felony or misdemeanor crimes of violence, sexual assault, molestation, exploitation, or sexual contact; prostitution; or crimes committed against person(s) or children.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly is required to sit; stand; walk; and reach with hands and arms; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The position requires occasional lifting of up to 50 lbs.

Work Environment:

Work is generally performed in an office/clinical setting with a moderate noise level. Situations occur where PPE (personal protective equipment) is needed. Overnight travel, evening and/or weekend work is occasionally required. Tight time constraints and multiple demands are common.