Chief Medical Officer

Job Title: Chief Medical Officer / Physician
Department: Medical
Reports To: Chief Executive Officer
Status: Full-time, Exempt
Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Role Allocation: 40% Administrative / 60% Primary Care Physician

Position Summary

The Chief Medical Officer / Physician provides clinical leadership and direct primary care services for The NATIVE Project. This position is responsible for supporting high-quality, patient-centered medical care while helping guide clinical operations, provider performance, quality improvement, and organizational health outcomes.

This role is 40% administrative and 60% direct primary care. The CMO works closely with the Clinic Director to achieve organizational goals, improve clinic performance, strengthen care team communication, and ensure medical services are delivered in alignment with The NATIVE Project’s mission, policies, and standards of care.

The CMO is expected to model Sacred Hospitality, support a collaborative team culture, and help ensure patients receive culturally responsive, compassionate, and effective health care.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Clinical Leadership & Administration

• Provide medical leadership for The NATIVE Project’s clinical services, providers, and care teams.
• Work closely with the Clinic Director to support clinic operations, patient access, provider productivity, quality outcomes, and organizational goals.
• Collaborate with the CEO, COO, CFO, Clinic Director, HR Director, and leadership team on clinical planning, staffing, compliance, and performance improvement.
• Support the development and implementation of annual medical service goals based on community needs, patient demographics, disease patterns, and organizational priorities.
• Participate in strategic planning, operational planning, and clinical program development.
• Assist with recruitment, onboarding, mentoring, and retention of medical providers and clinical staff.
• Direct credentialing, privileging, peer review, and clinical evaluation processes for providers with the support of the HR department.
• Review and provide input on medical policies, procedures, workflows, protocols, and standards of care.
• Participate in the review and resolution of patient complaints related to clinical care.
• Serve as a clinical resource for providers, nursing staff, medical assistants, behavioral health staff, dental, pharmacy, and other care team members.
• Represent The NATIVE Project with hospitals, medical partners, community organizations, training institutions, and professional groups as appropriate.
• Attend leadership meetings, committee meetings, provider meetings, quality improvement meetings, and Board meetings as requested.

Direct Patient Care

• Provide primary care services to patients within the provider’s scope of practice, license, and clinical privileges.
• Assess, diagnose, treat, and manage acute and chronic health conditions.
• Provide preventive care, health education, screenings, medication management, referrals, and follow-up care.
• Order and interpret labs, imaging, diagnostic tests, and specialty referrals as appropriate.
• Document patient care accurately, timely, and completely in the electronic health record.
• Support coordinated care with medical, behavioral health, dental, pharmacy, care coordination, and community resource teams.
• Provide patient-centered care that supports improved health outcomes, patient engagement, and continuity of care.
• Maintain patient records in compliance with HIPAA, Privacy Act requirements, RCW/WAC rules, and organizational policies.

Quality Improvement & Compliance

• Lead and participate in quality improvement, performance improvement, peer review, and clinical outcome initiatives.
• Monitor outcomes and collaborate with the Quality Improvement (QI) team to ensure program effectiveness and compliance with national standards, such as GPRA, UDS, and NCQA.
• Support clinical workflows that improve patient access, care gaps, chronic disease management, preventive care, and patient satisfaction.
• Promote evidence-based practices, public health priorities, and recovery-based approaches where applicable.
• Ensure clinical services are provided in accordance with federal, state, licensing, accreditation, and organizational requirements.

Supervision, Mentoring & Team Support

• Provide clinical guidance, mentoring, and consultation to providers and care team members.
• Support provider performance, clinical documentation, productivity expectations, and quality standards.
• Assist with performance feedback and evaluation processes for medical providers and clinical staff, as appropriate.
• Support a team-based care model that promotes communication, accountability, and respectful collaboration.
• Help resolve clinical concerns, workflow barriers, and care coordination issues in partnership with the Clinic Director.
• Participate in training, precepting, or mentoring students, residents, or other learners as approved by the organization.

Cultural Competency & Sacred Hospitality

• Understand, model, and promote the mission, values, and culture of The NATIVE Project.
• Practice Sacred Hospitality in all interactions with patients, families, staff, community members, and partners.
• Provide care that is respectful of Native communities, multicultural communities, and diverse patient populations.
• Support a clinic environment that is welcoming, trauma-informed, respectful, and culturally responsive.

Qualifications

• Licensed Physician, DO, or eligible medical provider licensed to practice in the State of Washington.
• Board certification in a primary care specialty preferred, such as Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, or a related field.
• Current DEA registration or ability to obtain required DEA registration.
• Experience providing primary care in a community health, tribal health, FQHC, nonprofit, or culturally diverse healthcare setting preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in clinical leadership, provider supervision, quality improvement, and healthcare operations.
• Strong understanding of evidence-based practice, patient-centered care, public health, and integrated care models.
• Ability to work collaboratively with executive leadership, clinic leadership, providers, clinical staff, and community partners.
• Strong communication, leadership, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills.
• Proficiency with electronic health records, computers, and clinical documentation systems.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPAA, Privacy Act, RCW/WAC, and organizational requirements.
• Must pass a criminal background check, OIG check, and pre-employment UA/BA.

Working Conditions

This position works in a clinical healthcare environment and performs both administrative and direct patient care duties. The role requires regular use of computers, electronic health records, clinical equipment, and communication systems. The position may involve sitting, standing, walking, lifting up to 30 pounds, managing competing priorities, and responding to urgent clinical or operational needs.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

The NATIVE Project is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.