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Medical Director, Inpatient

  • Job Category: Clinical
  • Primary Location: Irvine, CA
  • Schedule: Full-time
  • Req #: 401090

Optum CA is seeking a Medical Director, Inpatient, to join our team in Irvine, CA. Optum is a clinician-led care organization that is changing the way clinicians work and live.

As a member of the Optum Care Delivery team, you will be an integral part of our vision to make healthcare better for everyone.

At Optum, you will have the clinical resources, data and support of a global organization behind you so you can help your patients live healthier lives. Here, you'll work alongside talented peers in a collaborative environment that is guided by diversity and inclusion while driving towards the Quadruple Aim. We believe you deserve an exceptional career, and will empower you to live your best life at work and at home. Experience the fulfillment of advancing the health of your community with the excitement of contributing new practice ideas and initiatives that could help improve care for millions of patients across the country. Because together, we have the power to make health care better for everyone. Join us and discover how rewarding medicine can be while Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

Position Highlights & Primary Responsibilities:

  • Responsible for oversight of local Hospitalist, Inpatient and SNF program, 80% administrative; 20% clinical
  • Rounds on his/her daily hospital census
  • Direct oversight of employed Hospitalist and SNF clinicians
  • Lead and participate in the development and implementation of team's standards and inpatient/SNF targets, and oversee the achievement of such targets
  • Drive team engagement and provider experience initiatives
  • Alongside dyad partners, as appropriate, oversee inpatient program with accountability over inpatient program performance, institutional affordability metrics and provider experience scores
  • Foster a culture of engagement, performance, continuous improvement, accountability, service-orientation, and exemplary teamwork
  • Responsible for recruiting and onboarding of new clinicians
  • Responsible for Higher level of care reviews, LTAC and ARU reviews and Inpatient denials
  • Oversee readmission rounds with CM team, and support CM team with review of complex, high risk cases
  • Supports Inpatient CM team with any inpatient/SNF facility/providers issues
  • Lead JOM with core hospitals to improve hospital partnership and performance
  • Lead JOM with contracted hospitalist groups and drive vendor-based engagement and management
  • Provides and coordinates education on risk-adjustment and appropriate alternative placement
  • Educates and supports compliant coding practices from hospitalists
  • Collaborates with OOA team on repatriation activities and ensures efficient bed provision for transfer attempts though collaboration with partner hospitals
  • Drive engagement of regional clinical and operations leadership around program performance and affordability metrics
  • Represent Optum California in establishing strong and lasting relationships with patients, physicians, clinicians, health plans, vendors, and community organizations
  • Deliver on strategies to further Optum California's Inpatient management to fulfill Optum California's vision to be the most trusted partner in health by providing the highest quality care through compassionate, convenient, and consistent experiences, resulting in unprecedented loyalty
  • Adheres to policies, procedures, and regulations to ensure compliance and patient safety
  • Ability to influence by leadership skills and relationship-building
  • Consistently exhibits behavior and communication skills that demonstrate Optum's commitment to superior customer service, including quality, care and concern with each and every internal and external customer
  • Manages direct reports to ensure that they are meeting performance expectations and performs counseling as necessary.
  • Uses, protects, and discloses Optum patients' protected health information (PHI) only in accordance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) standards
  • Performs additional duties as assigned

You'll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications:

  • Undergraduate degree or equivalent experience
  • Unrestricted CA State Medical License (or willing to obtain if out of state)
  • Current CA DEA certificate required prior to start date
  • Board Certified in Internal Medicine
  • 5+ years in a leadership role over a large hospitalist program or equivalent
  • Solid clinical training including ongoing practice
  • EMR Proficient

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Advanced degree in management or fellowship training
  • FHM or SFHM status
  • Track record of change management and driving outcomes
  • Understanding of managed care operations including IPAs, ACOs, full risk contracting models or equivalent
  • Excellent time management skills

Compensation for this specialty generally ranges from $300,000 - $335,000. Total cash compensation includes base pay and bonus and is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience and may increase over time based on productivity and performance in the role. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable. In addition to your salary, we offer benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). No matter where or when you begin a career with us, you'll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives.

OptumCare is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer under applicable law and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.

OptumCare is a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.

Working at Optum provides you an opportunity where you can learn, not just from the CMEs but from other staff physicians that have experience. It’s a team-based model, so you never practice alone – whether you are a new grad or you have experience.
Dr. Girisha Kauer

What makes the Optum organization different?

  • Providers are supported to practice at the peak of their license.

  • Our culture is one of clinical innovation, collaboration and transformation.

  • We recognize that if you want to provide good care and do it well, you can’t do it alone. This is the foundation of the team-based care model.

  • We are influencing change on a national scale while still maintaining the culture and community of our local care organizations.

Compensation & Benefits Highlights

  • Competitive compensation
  • Dedicated CME time and allowance
  • Robust retirement package
  • Student loan repayment program (available in specific locations)
  • Employee stock purchase plan (ESPP) – discount on UnitedHealth Group (UHG) stock
  • Physician partnership and incentive opportunities with Optum
  • Growth, additional income opportunities and more
Female doctor talking with patient

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Our mission calls us, our values guide us and our diverse culture connects us as we seek to improve care for the consumers we are privileged to serve and their communities. We are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. Our core values of integrity, compassion, inclusion, relationships, innovation and performance steer our actions and interactions. They also guide us to achieve our mission to help people live healthier lives and to help make the health system work better for everyone. And throughout it all, we are united by a culture that cultivates a workplace like no other.

Diverse team of healthcare professionals showcasing inclusion and equity in the workplace