Job Description

General Description

The Chief of Pediatrics provides primary medical care to infants, children, and adolescents and leads all pediatric clinical operations within the Health Center. This role oversees pediatric program development, quality improvement, regulatory compliance, and community-based initiatives, ensuring high standards of care, safety, and operational efficiency. The Chief of Pediatrics works closely with the Chief Medical Officer and other clinical leaders to strengthen access, team-based care, workflows, and clinical programs that advance Caring Health Center’s mission to serve a diverse and underserved community.

Reports to: Chief Medical Officer

Supervises: Pediatricians and other pediatric care providers

Salary/Status: Exempt

Minimum Requirements

1. Unrestricted Massachusetts medical license or the ability to obtain one prior to the start date.
2. Completion of an M.D. or D.O. degree.
3. Completion of an accredited pediatric residency or medicine-pediatrics residency program.
4. Board certification in Pediatrics.
5. Current DEA and Massachusetts Controlled Substances registrations or the ability to obtain them prior to the start date.
6. Demonstrated ability to provide high-quality clinical care in a high-volume, multicultural setting.
7. Eligibility for and maintenance of hospital privileges at designated partner hospitals.
8. Eligibility as an in-network provider for all major insurers.
9. Experience in caring for underserved and culturally diverse populations.
10. Experience or strong interest in clinical leadership, quality improvement, and team-based primary care.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Experience working in or with an FQHC, community health care setting, underserved populations, population health, accountable care organizations, value-based care, or integrated care models.
2. Experience supervising or mentoring clinicians such as NPs, PAs, or physicians.
3. Advanced degrees, such as an MPH, or relevant experience are desirable.

Principal Responsibilities and Duties

Clinical Care and Leadership

1. Provide direct clinical care to pediatric and adolescent patients.
2. Participate in the pediatric on-call schedule. Work with the Chief Clinical Officer to develop and maintain the pediatric on-call schedule to ensure adequate coverage and continuity of care.
3. Ensure appropriate and continuous peer review for all pediatric providers, including physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants.
4. Guide integration of pediatric care with family medicine and other departments.
5. Collaborate with the Chief Clinical Officer, Chief of Adult Medicine, and Chief Medical Officer to ensure smooth and developmentally appropriate transitions of pediatric patients to adult practitioners.
6. Develop and maintain protocols for referrals to pediatric specialists to ensure timely and coordinated specialty care.

Regulatory Compliance

1. Ensure that all pediatric providers and staff follow Massachusetts and Federal pediatric regulatory standards, including informed consent and assent procedures, disclosure requirements, mandated reporting laws, immunization documentation and reporting, adolescent confidentiality regulations, and telehealth and parental authorization requirements.
2. Provide training and updates to staff on regulatory changes affecting pediatric care.

Program Management and Quality Improvement

1. Identify program needs and communicate them to the CMO and administration. Contribute to budget development.
2. Review, write, and update pediatric clinical policies, procedures, and prevention and screening schedules.
3. Lead pediatric quality improvement initiatives in collaboration with the CMO.
4. Participate as a key member of multidisciplinary teams, including PCMH integration efforts.
5. Build and maintain partnerships with local schools to support care coordination, health education, and improved access to pediatric services for Health Center patients.
6. Contribute to organizational initiatives and responsibilities required of all Health Center providers.

Education, Training, and Community Engagement

1. Provide clinical teaching and mentorship for nurse practitioners, physician assistants, students, and trainees, and serve as the liaison between the Health Center and schools and universities.
2. Assist in developing standardized evaluation tools, training modules, and pre-operative or specialty evaluation protocols.
3. Oversee educational activities, pediatric rotations, and case-based learning. Serve as a mentor to pediatric providers.
4. Represent the Health Center in community activities, collaborative initiatives, and professional organizations.

Administrative Responsibilities

1. Assist the Chief Medical Officer in developing clinical policies, care pathways, operational initiatives, and strategic priorities.
2. Participate in hiring, evaluation, and support of clinical staff.
3. Assist with managing provider schedules, staffing models, and call coverage.
4. Provide clinical leadership coverage in the absence of the Chief Medical Officer.
5. Support electronic medical record optimization, documentation improvement, and productivity enhancement.

Communication and Professional Standards

1. Demonstrate sensitivity in all patient, family, and staff interactions and maintain strict confidentiality and privacy.
2. Use sound judgment in resolving clinical and operational issues.
3. Maintain professionalism and composure under pressure.

Career Development

1. Attend and actively participate in staff meetings and provider education sessions.
2. Maintain clinical competency through ongoing medical education.
3. Maintain required hospital admitting privileges.

Working Conditions

1. On-call coverage may be required based on departmental needs.
2. Potential exposure to patient blood and body fluids.
3. Use of a computer workstation for clinical and administrative duties is required.

Salary Range: $230,000 to $265,000