Description:
The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) serves as the senior clinical leader for Waterfall Community Health Center (WCHC), providing strategic, operational, and clinical oversight to ensure the delivery of high-quality, patient-centered, and cost-effective care. The CMO is responsible for advancing clinical excellence across all service lines in alignment with the organization’s mission, Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) model, and all applicable federal, state, and payer requirements.
As a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, the CMO partners with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Board of Directors, and senior leaders to define and execute organizational strategy, ensure compliance with HRSA Health Center Program requirements, and maintain the integrity of the organization’s approved scope of project. The CMO leads clinical quality, provider performance, and care delivery innovation while promoting access, reducing health disparities, and improving health outcomes for underserved populations.
This position reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and is accountable to the Board of Directors for clinical quality, safety, and performance.
Supervision Exercised: Provides direct and indirect supervision to medical and dental providers, clinical leaders, and other assigned staff. Oversees provider performance, credentialing support, and clinical leadership development.
-
Lead the development and execution of the organization’s clinical vision, ensuring alignment with mission, strategic priorities, and regulatory requirements
-
Ensure delivery of comprehensive, integrated, team-based care consistent with PCMH principles and FQHC standards
-
Oversee clinical service lines, including primary care, dental, and school-based health center (SBHC) services, ensuring access, quality, and continuity of care
-
Promote innovation in care delivery models, population health management, and value-based care initiatives
-
Ensure compliance with all applicable Health Resources and Services Administration Health Center Program requirements, including the Compliance Manual and Uniform Guidance
-
Maintain oversight of clinical components within the approved scope of project, including services, sites, providers, and service delivery methods
-
Partner with leadership to support HRSA Operational Site Visits (OSVs), audits, and ongoing monitoring activities
-
Ensure clinical policies, procedures, and protocols meet federal, state, and accreditation standards
-
Co-lead the organization’s Quality Improvement/Quality Assurance (QI/QA) program in partnership with the Chief Quality Officer
-
Establish and monitor clinical quality metrics, patient outcomes, and performance benchmarks
-
Oversee peer review, clinical audits, and utilization management processes
-
Lead patient safety initiatives, risk management activities, and incident review processes
-
Ensure timely and appropriate response to patient grievances and quality concerns
-
Provide leadership, supervision, and performance management for clinical providers and assigned staff
-
Oversee provider onboarding, privileging, and ongoing competency assessment in collaboration with credentialing functions
-
Support recruitment, retention, and engagement of clinical staff, including locum and temporary providers
-
Promote leadership development and succession planning for clinical leadership roles
-
Approve continuing education and professional development activities aligned with organizational needs
-
Serve as a clinical advisor to the CEO and Board of Directors on quality, safety, and clinical strategy
-
Participate in Board and committee meetings, including quality and clinical oversight reporting
-
Ensure transparency and accountability in clinical performance and compliance matters
-
Support Board understanding of clinical priorities, risks, and regulatory requirements
-
Collaborate with executive leadership to ensure appropriate clinical staffing models and access to care
-
Oversee departmental budgets for medical and dental services, ensuring alignment with financial and operational goals
-
Support productivity, efficiency, and sustainability of clinical operations
-
Partner with operations and finance to optimize resource allocation and care delivery
-
Serve as a liaison to hospitals, health systems, professional associations, and community partners
-
Represent WCHC in regional and state-level clinical and healthcare initiatives
-
Support collaboration with public health entities and alignment with community health priorities
-
Serve as Laboratory Director (CLIA) or designate a qualified designee and ensure compliance with applicable regulations
-
Ensure compliance with federal and state licensure, credentialing, and payer requirements
-
Provide oversight of SBHC clinical services and integration with broader organizational care delivery
-
Provide interim oversight for dental services as needed
-
Model and promote organizational values: Integrity, Respect, Accountability, Compassion, Partnership, and Collaboration
-
Participate actively in executive leadership, strategic planning, and organizational decision-making
-
Support organizational culture, staff engagement, and change management efforts
-
Perform other duties as assigned to support organizational success
Requirements:
Education, Experience, & Qualifications
-
Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) from an accredited institution
-
Unrestricted license to practice medicine in the State of Oregon (or eligibility for administrative license, if applicable)
-
Board Certified in a relevant specialty
-
Current DEA registration without restriction
-
Minimum of 3–5 years of progressive clinical leadership experience, preferably in an FQHC or community health setting
-
Demonstrated knowledge of HRSA Health Center Program requirements and regulatory compliance
-
Experience in a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) or similar safety-net environment
-
Experience with value-based care, population health, and integrated care models
-
Familiarity with Oregon Health Authority programs and Medicaid delivery systems strongly preferred
-
Prior experience supporting HRSA Operational Site Visits or audits strongly preferred
Licenses/Certifications
-
Active MD/DO license (Oregon)
-
Board Certification required
-
DEA Certificate
-
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification (or obtained upon hire)
-
Non-violent Crisis Intervention Comprehensive training class completed within 6 months of hire and recertify prior to the expiration date.
Immunizations Required
Working Conditions: (Patient Care)
This position must have the ability to occasionally remain in a stationary position, often for long periods of time, and frequently move about inside the healthcare facility provide patient care, and access office machinery; and frequently communicate and exchange accurate information.
Work Condition: Healthcare Facility
-
Employee generally works within the interior of a healthcare facility.
-
Employee may travel locally and be responsible for own transportation; out of area travel may be required on occasion.
-
Hours of operations and specific staff scheduling may vary based on operational need.
-
The healthcare facility environment is clean with a comfortable temperature and moderate noise level.
Exposed to:
-
Healthcare facility cold and heat controls.
-
Close contact with employees and the public, in a healthcare facility.
-
Potential exposure to communicable diseases.
-
Potential exposure to escalated or angry patients.
Machines, equipment, tools, and supplies used
-
Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as postage machine, fax, copier, calculator, multi-line telephone system, scanner.
-
May use diagnostic or screening medical devices as directed by medical provider, such as blood glucose machine, manual or battery-operated blood pressure device, thermometer, oximetry.
-
May answer a high volume of telephone calls, complete documentation, and use computer programs to either obtain or record information.
-
May be required to use standard precautions due to threat of exposure to blood and bodily fluids.
Multiple Duties: Must be able to work under conditions of frequent interruption and be able to stay on task.
Other Information:
This job description is intended to provide only basic guidelines for meeting job requirements. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of Waterfall Clinic employees. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.
