Job Title:  Chief Medical Officer	Revision Date: 10/19/2026
Reports to:  Chief Executive Officer	Position Supervises: Physicians, Dentists, Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, Director of Clinical Operations, Director of Behavioral Health,  and Director of Dental Operations

POSITION SUMMARY

The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) provides administrative and clinical leadership and oversight to the Medical, Dental, and Behavioral Health Departments to ensure patients receive high quality care.  The CMO provides expertise and consultation to ensure regulatory and program requirements are met.  Oversight of the integration of Medical, Dental, and Behavioral Health Departments to ensure evidence-based and patient centered practices are provided to all patients.

High Plains Community Health Center (HPCHC) is an equal opportunity employer and strives to create an environment for career advancement and professional growth at all levels.  HPCHC complies with organization-wide policies and Federally Qualified Health Center and OSHA requirements, related to the performance of HPCHC operations and requirements of the compliance program.

PRODUCTIVITY AND EXPECTATIONS:

The CMO balances direct patient care with physician leadership and clinical administration as outlined below. Percentages are planning targets and may be adjusted based on patient access, organizational clinical needs, and CEO direction.

40%: Patient Care

• Provides direct patient care including management of acute and chronic illness, developing care plans, coordinating services, and determining the need for case review.
• Makes appropriate referrals to both internal disciplines of the clinic and/or external agencies for additional services required.
• Provides clinic consultation and mentorship to providers as needed.
• Assists with planning to evaluate provider performance levels, quality of service, productivity, and future needs.
• Knowledge of local agencies to ensure collaboration of patient care.
• Provides leadership and assists in efforts to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the clinics.
• May establish a mutually structured prescribing mentorship of 750 hours with a Nurse Practitioner during their provisional prescriptive authority period.
• May establish a collaborative practice agreement with an APP.

• Participates in the development of workflows, offering ideas, opinions, and concerns, and demonstrating “ownership”.
• Accountable for implementation and sustainability of processes and workflows for the care team.
• Maintains awareness of staffing, scheduling process, scope of practice, policies, and procedures, and is focused on patients-centered care and team cohesiveness.

20%: Executive Leadership

• Serves on the executive leadership team as the principal physician leader, providing clinical guidance on strategy, clinical priorities, staffing, service-line decisions, and patient access.
• Establishes and reinforces expectations for clinical quality, professional conduct, physician and provider accountability, patient safety, and evidence-based practice.
• Leads or participates in clinical quality, credentialing/privileging, peer review, risk management, and compliance activities; reports clinically relevant outcomes and risks to the CEO and Board as needed.
• Supports provider recruitment, clinical onboarding, mentoring, performance evaluation, and corrective improvement plans when warranted.
• Partners with Compliance and Quality leadership to address clinical findings, implement corrective actions, and maintain readiness for clinical audits and accreditation reviews.

20%: Medical Operations

• Provides clinical direction to the Director of Clinical Operations and medical providers to ensure safe, coordinated, efficient clinical services across locations.
• Reviews clinical quality indicators, patient outcomes, access measures, chart documentation, utilization, patient complaints, and care-process performance; directs improvement when gaps are identified.
• Develops, approves, and standardizes medical protocols, clinical workflows, and evidence-based care guidelines within applicable privileges and regulatory requirements.
• Promotes clear care-team roles, effective clinical communication, appropriate scope of practice, and consistent implementation of physician-approved care processes.
• Addresses clinical escalations, high-risk cases, patient safety events, and provider-to-provider concerns promptly and professionally.

10%: Integrated Clinical Services

• Collaborates with Behavioral Health and Dental leadership to improve screening, referral processes, care coordination, follow-up, and integrated treatment planning.
• Supports quality, safety, access, and patient-centered standards across clinical service lines, respecting the independent licensure and professional scope of dental and behavioral health practitioners.
• Works with department directors on clinical concerns requiring medical consultation, interdisciplinary coordination, or systems improvement.

5%: Clinical Compliance And Patient Safety

• Provides physician leadership for clinical regulatory compliance, infection prevention, medical risk mitigation, documentation standards, and patient safety initiatives.
• Lead peer review and clinical incident analysis and ensures appropriate follow-through on remediation and quality improvement.
• Work with Director of Compliance & Quality on all clinical compliance requirements and to drive quality metrics as required through payor contracts.

5%: Clinical Program Development and Grants

• Provides medical expertise for clinical service development, program design, and grant activities directly tied to patient services, access, clinical quality, or measurable patient outcomes.
• Supports clinically relevant reporting and evaluation of funded patient care programs in collaboration with administrative staff.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree from an accredited medical school.
• Current, unrestricted license to practice medicine as a physician in the State of Colorado, or ability to obtain before beginning work.
• Board certified in a relevant clinical specialty (preferred: Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, or another primary care specialty); board eligibility may be considered based on position needs.
• Current DEA registration appropriate to clinical duties, or ability to obtain before practicing; current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
• Eligibility for credentialing and clinical privileges at HPCHC and participation in applicable payer programs.
• At least ten years of healthcare experience, including substantial direct patient care experience, and five years of progressively responsible clinical leadership or medical management experience.
• Demonstrated experience in medical quality improvement, physician/provider leadership, evidence-based care, clinical operations, and patient safety.
• Experience working with a diverse population and/or underserved populations preferred.
• The position requires a working knowledge of modern office practices and This includes but is not limited to:
  • Proficiency in using the Internet, Microsoft Office programs and general computer
  • Skill in operating office equipment such as copier, fax machine, scanners,
• Possess customer service skills necessary to provide a positive experience necessary when they speak to employees in person and on the phone.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

• Demonstrates commitment to the organizational mission, vision, and values.
• Maintains knowledge of federal and state regulations related to FQHC’s and relative practice area.
• Exhibits the ability to make sound decisions for delivery of care/services.
• Demonstrates effective relationships with clinic staff, patients, public, outside vendors/agencies, and providers.
• Communicates effectively; demonstrates ability to speak, read, and write professionally, as well as compile, analyze and present information in English.
• Maintains confidentiality of patient information.
• Exercises professional judgment, courtesy, and professionalism in daily interactions with others.
• Works both independently and as part of a team; establishes and maintains effective working relationships with health care team members and diverse patient populations.
• Displays time management and organizational skills to consistently meet deadlines.
• Performs other duties as required.

There will be opportunities for other duties as this position may evolve and policies and training may change. Reasonable accommodations will be reviewed, and modifications may be made according to ADA guidelines.  This position utilizes proper body mechanics, transfer/lifting techniques, and appropriate equipment to minimize fall risk to patients and/or injury to self.

Deadline for applying: This posting will remain open and accepting applications until the position is filled.

Additional Information
Position Type : Full Time
Shift : Day
Salary: $233,510 – $298,927 per year

Contact Information
Human Resources
201 Kendall Drive
Lamar, Co 81052
Email: people@highplainschc.net

If you are interested in a position please complete our online application below and attach your resume.