Vice President, Chief Medical Officer
Hackensack Meridian Health
Hackensack University Medical Center
Hackensack, New Jersey

 Job Summary: 

Reporting directly to the President of Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC), the Vice President and Chief Medical Officer (CMO) is responsible for overseeing the planning, organization, and management of daily operations across the Clinical Departments, Institutes, and Medical Staff. The CMO collaborates with service line clinical leaders to enhance quality, develop new programs, and expand existing initiatives. Additionally, the role involves working closely with Chairs, Chiefs, School of Medicine leadership, and Administrators to drive organizational innovation and achieve higher levels of performance.

 Essential Job Functions: 

1. Leads and contributes to the development and execution of the organization’s strategic plan, performance improvement initiatives, human resource strategies, and annual operating budget, including setting plans, goals, and objectives. 

2. Champions the organization’s mission, vision, and values by effectively communicating, interpreting, and ensuring their integration into clinical and operational practices.

3. Responsible for ensuring compliance with the organization’s bylaws, policies, and procedures to uphold the highest standards of clinical and operational excellence.

4. Oversees and drives professional development and leadership initiatives for Medical Staff governance while ensuring the efficient operation of the Medical Staff Office (MSO). Additionally, responsible for staff education, performance evaluation, and upholding the code of conduct.

5. Responsible for planning and directing the Medical Staff’s programs and facilities in accordance with federal, state and local standards, guidelines and regulations. Oversees and provides strategic guidance to the clinical department Chair, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and excellence in patient care. 

6. Develops and directs new Medical Staff programs and services for the organization. Works closely with all operating functions of the organization to ensure continuity of programming and services. 

7. Collaborate with the Chief Quality Officer (CQO) and clinical and senior leaders within the clinical enterprise to develop approaches that drive quality, performance improvement, patient outcomes, and safety. Lead and champion the comprehensive, strategic, and tactical planning and implementation of quality and safety programs to achieve top decile performance. 

8. Leads and champion programs designed to ensure positive patient experience as evidenced by Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) scores and other measures.

9. Responsible for assessing that publicly reported ratings are at appropriate levels.

10. Responsible for overseeing and complying with regulatory and licensing agencies.

11. Coordinates and directs the development and implementation of annual operating and capital budgets related to the clinical departments, Institutes and Medical Staff.

12. Partners with the Physician Enterprise to recruit, hire, and provide oversight for clinical department leadership, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and excellence in patient care. 

13. Evaluates and recommends physician salaries for Clinical Department Chairs, Division Directors, Section Chiefs, and 

Staff Physicians to ensure competitive, equitable, and market aligned physician and clinical leadership compensation strategies. Included are salary recommendations for non-MD positions such as PhDs and midlevel providers where appropriate.

14. Leads by example, embodying the Medical Center’s standards of behavior and managerial competencies to inspire excellence across the organization.

15. Assists in the creation of new clinical programs.

16.Collaborates with the Chief Quality Officer (CQO) to drive the implementation of best practices and performance measures that enhance quality and patient safety.

17. Improves resource utilization. Identify areas of opportunity to improve processes and clinical services, make the facility safer, and cut costs when necessary.

18.Provides an effective communication link and critical liaison functions with the Medical Board, Medical/Dental Staff, Department of Nursing, and Medical Schools. 

19. Responsible for overseeing Physician Advisors, Multi Disciplinary Rounds (MDR), and Clinical Documentation for physicians. 

20. Works in collaboration with case management and utilization review to optimize patient care coordination and resource utilization. 

21. Leads strategy and growth planning in partnership with Care Transformation Services (CTS) to drive innovation and enhance patient-centered care. 

22. Partners with Physician Enterprise to strengthen ambulatory governance and ensure alignment with organizational goals. 

23. In collaboration with department chairs, provide oversight of medical staff, including Hospitalists, to ensure appropriate length of stay, time of day discharge, medical chart completion, and utilization review.

Regulatory Affairs: 

24. Works collaboratively with the Chief Quality Officer (CQO) and hospital leadership to ensure compliance with Federal, State, Local, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), The Joint Commission (TJC), and other regulatory bodies impacting the delivery of medical care.

25. Partners with the medical staff and chief compliance officer to ensure conformity with regulatory requirements.

Support for Medical Staff Affairs: 

26.Provides leadership and oversight to the Medical Staff Office (MSO), managing issues involving clinical and physician integration, professional practice, credentialing, peer review, recruitment, quality and safety, and ensuring all policies and bylaws meet state and regulatory requirements. Works with clinical Chairs to develop relevant metrics for each service line for Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluation/Focused Professional Practice Evaluation (OPPE/FPPE) and ensure regulatory requirements are met. 

27 Serves as a liaison between HUMC senior leadership and the Medical Staff, fostering collaboration and alignment.

28. In cooperation and close consultation with the Medical Executive Committee , supervise the day-to-day performance of the Medical Staff Office (MSO).

29. Supports and advises the Medical Staff in credentialing procedures and/or delineation of clinical privileges.

30.Provides guidance and support to the Medical Staff on the establishment, interpretation, and enforcement of Medical Staff bylaws.

Clinical Program Oversight and Development: 

31. Contributes to the development of new programs and policies that advance medical quality, growth and efficiency.

32. Partners with the School of Medicine and Medical Staff on clinical initiatives with specific emphasis on process, redesign, clinical transition and clinical protocols.

33.Collaborates with other members of Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC) Senior Leadership and oversees the medical directors of the clinical programs 

External Liaison Roles: 

34. Functions as clinical spokesperson for Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC) , communicating the organization's vision for quality clinical care.

35. Facilitates assessment of patient concerns and complaints related to physician/clinical care.

36. Serves as liaison and represents Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC) senior leadership in ongoing communications with community physicians. Represents the needs and requirements of the physician community and serves as an advocate of HUMC management in promoting the use of Information Technology (IT) in the clinical setting.

37. Enlists and manages medical staff participation in information systems initiatives. Develop empathy and understanding of physician needs, build relationships with physicians to gain support of IT initiatives, and educate clinicians on use of clinical systems. Participate in the resolution of misunderstanding or conflicts involving Medical Staff that may occur during systems implementation. 

38. Other duties and/or projects as assigned. 

39. Adheres to the standards identified in the Medical Center’s Organizational Competencies. 

Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required: 

1. Medical Degree (MD).

2. An advanced degree in health care administration, business administration, and/or public health. 

3. Minimum of 5-7 years of progressive management and leadership experience within a large academic medical center or multi-hospital health system. 

4. Expertise in managing large complex budgets, facilities and clinical operations.

5. Prior experience as a Department/Division Chief/Chair.

6. A successful track record developing and managing service lines.

7. Demonstrated leadership and complex organizational management skills.

8. Proven effectiveness in building and maintaining strong physician relations in an academic medical center and multi-hospital health system environment.

9. Experience working collaboratively with chairs and chiefs of services in achievement of the highest quality, efficient program operations and growth.

10. Extensive knowledge and experience in both healthcare delivery and managed care.

11. Intimate knowledge of, and experience in state regulatory affairs.

12. Well developed planning, marketing, organizational development, and business skills. 

13. Information systems capabilities and appreciation for the data which will be required to make meaningful management decisions. 

14. Ability to work with physicians and professionals in multiple settings and locations and to promote diversity in the workplace. 

15. Able to work effectively in multiple areas within a complex, multi-faceted organization. 

16. Good business acumen with strong leadership skills. 

17. Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written. 

18. Ability to multi-task. 

19. Excellent collaborator. 

20. Strong project management skills. 

21. Strong financial management skills. 

22. Strong strategic planning skills. 

23. Proficient computer skills including but not limited to Microsoft Office and Google Suite platforms. 

24. Must demonstrate tact and professionalism in interactions with colleagues, Board of Trustees and Medical Council Committee, staff, residents, families, visitors, and the public while exhibiting strong interpersonal skills, accountability, fairness, and consistency. 

Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Preferred: 

1. Fellow, American College of Healthcare Executives. 

Licenses and Certifications Required: 

1. Medical Doctor License. 

Licenses and Certifications Preferred: 

1. Not Applicable. 

Contacts: 

Board of Trustees and Medical Council Committee, Administration, Physicians, Management and Chiefs of Service, Outside Agencies, Hospital Staff, Patients and Family of Patients 

For immediate consideration, please forward your cover letter and CV to:
Nancy Massa, Physician Recruiter at Nancy.Massa@hmhn.org or call/text 732-890-9339

Hackensack Meridian Health is the leading not-for-profit health care network in New Jersey offering a complete range of medical services, innovative research, and life-enhancing care aiming to serve as a national model for changing and simplifying health care delivery through partnerships with innovative companies and focusing on quality and safety. To learn more, visit us at: www.HackensackMeridianHealth.org.