Northstar OTP Physician - Vancouver WA

The Cowlitz Indian Tribe; Vancouver; On-site; USD 302,000 - 378,000; Full time

Job summary

The Cowlitz Indian Tribe is seeking a Physician for its Opioid Treatment Program. This role offers the opportunity to provide comprehensive medical oversight and ensure quality patient care in a supportive environment focused on substance abuse treatment. The position requires a Medical Doctorate, relevant licensure, and the ability to work in a team setting.

Qualifications

• License and Registration as a Physician, with ability to practice in any state.
• DEA Licensure (current and unrestricted).
• Board certified in Addiction Psychiatry or Addiction Medicine preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provides comprehensive medical oversight within a substance use disorder treatment setting.
• Conducts evaluations and manages opioid use disorder medications.
• Supervises mid-level practitioners and clinical staff.

Skills

Knowledge of substance use disorders

Supervisory skills

Patient care management

Communication skills

Education

Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine

Job description

Career Opportunities with The Cowlitz Indian Tribe

A great place to work.

Careers at The Cowlitz Indian Tribe

Current job opportunities are posted here as they become available.

POSITION TITLE: Physician
DEPARTMENT: Health and Human Services (HHS) – Opioid Treatment Program (OTP)
LOCATION: Vancouver, WA
FLSA STATUS: Exempt, fulltime
SALARY RANGE: $302,328.00 - $377,936.00

Open until filled, review Date: July 25, 2025

***If you are an American Indian/Alaska Native and/or a Veteran and would like this to be considered preference in hiring, please upload documentation with your resume and cover letter. Acceptable documentation includes Tribal Enrollment card, a letter from your Tribe stating your enrollment, or BIA 4432 and/or DD214.***

Position Summary:

Provides comprehensive medical oversight and directs patient care within a substance use disorder treatment setting. Conducts evaluations, manages opioid use disorder medications, and supervises clinical staff. Ensures collaboration, regulatory compliance, and patient-centered care. Adheres to HIPAA and confidentiality requirements. Honors and represents the mission, vision, values of CIT and of the HHS department.

This list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only of the tasks performed by this position and is not all-inclusive.

• Collaborates with NP/PA and medical staff positions.
• Demonstrates knowledge of etiologies, risk factors, pathophysiology, presentation, and epidemiology of substance use disorders as well as medical conditions.
• Provides physical examinations for patients and/or review patients’ history in determining medical necessity.
• Provides primary care and urgent care evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment per policies and procedures and within the current standard practice.
• Supervises admissions to treatment, discharges from treatment, medication orders, and adjustments to treatment plans.
• Initiates, alters, and terminates medication orders for the treatment of opioid use disorder following strict protocols.
• Places patients into treatment.
• Adheres to clinical and research protocols.
• Collects data and completes paperwork required by clinical and research protocols.
• Supervises, monitors, and directs activities of mid-level practitioners (PA, NP or equivalent).
• Improves staff’s effectiveness by orienting, coaching, and counseling providers; communicating values, strategies, and objectives; assigning accountabilities; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results; developing a climate for offering information and opinions; integrating functional objectives; providing and participating in educational opportunities.
• Provides occasional consultation by telemedicine.
• Communicates with outside physicians providing primary medical care to Cowlitz OTP Clinic patients to facilitate continuity of care with appropriate waivers compliant with 42 CFR part B regulations.
• Complies with applicable legal guidelines as well as current medical literature for patient care.
• Supervises the administration and dispensing of medications.
• Provides patient education specific to various disease processes within our scope of practice.
• Refers patients for care elsewhere when indicated (including appropriate follow up).
• Plans and supervises provision of treatment for patients (including regular review and notes in the patient’s record) according to established guidelines with a strong emphasis on quality and customer service.
• Signs patient record notes within organizational and regulatory guidelines.
• Oversees patient care provided by other medical staff members, signs charts, reviews dosing levels, etc.
• Examines patients, performs comprehensive physical examinations, and documents health history.
• Adheres to all organizational precautions and procedures in the performance of all duties to ensure a safe work environment for self and others.
• Maintains credentials as required by certifying/licensing body.
• Promotes an environment that encourages staff growth and development by developing and supporting ongoing educational programs.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by conducting research, attending seminars, educational workshops, classes and conferences; reviewing professional publications; establishing networks; participating in professional societies; conferring with representatives of contracting agencies and related organizations.
• Contributes to a team effort and accomplishes related results as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of traditional form of government and tribal customs and traditions.
• Knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures in providing a comprehensive substance abuse treatment program in a clinic environment.
• Knowledge and skills necessary to assist in providing care appropriate to the needs of patients served.
• Knowledge of medications and their biological effects, and the desired effect on treatment of opioid use disorder.
• Knowledge of human behavior and abnormal psychology.
• Knowledge and familiarity with the mandatory reporting requirements under the Indian Child Protection Act, with regards to suspected incidence of child abuse or child neglect.
• Knowledge of related accreditation and certification requirements.
• Knowledge of evidence-based treatments for substance use disorders, treatment plans, crisis interventions, individual and group therapy, case management, and patient education.
• Knowledge of current standards, policies and procedures of regulatory bodies, contractual agreements, and professional standards.
• Knowledge and understanding of Cowlitz OTP’s internal and external patient needs and be committed to meeting or exceeding those expectations.
• Skill in treating patients with tact, courtesy, and respect, and as if the patient is the only person in the room.
• Skill in supervising, training and evaluating medical and support staff.
• Skill in staying organized and maintaining attention to detail.
• Skill in conducting routine clinical procedures independently including, but not limited to: laceration repair with sutures, staples, or Dermabond; splinting fractures; foreign body removal; incision and drainage; suture/staple removal; pelvic exams; and other medical procedures.
• Ability to diagnose substance use disorders as well as clinical signs of intoxication.
• Ability to see, treat and be sympathetic towards substance use disorder patients.
• Ability to take medical histories, conduct physical examinations and communicate results of laboratory tests.
• Ability to maintain quality, safety, and/or infection control standards.
• Ability to work both independently and in a team environment.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain professional relationships with individuals of varying social and cultural backgrounds and with co-workers at all levels.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to conduct all professional activity in an ethical manner.
• Ability to analyze and evaluate situations and adopt effective courses of action.
• Ability to observe, assess, and record symptoms, reactions, and progress.
• Ability to follow Cowlitz OTP personnel policies.
• Ability to maintain passion for assisting patients under all circumstances.
• Ability to give and receive constructive feedback, to share opinions, and uphold beliefs.
• Ability to maintain calm, focused, professional, and kind in highly stressful situations.
• Ability to be reliable, flexible, and versatile.
• Ability to maintain humility.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine or equivalent.
• License and Registration as a Physician, with ability to practice in any state (current and unrestricted).
• DEA Licensure (current and unrestricted).
• Board certified in Addiction Psychiatry or Addiction Medicine and board certification in family medicine or internal medicine are preferred.
• Two years’ clinical experience working in a similar setting is preferred.
• Must have no pending legal inquiries or license probation.
• Must be able to provide health and TB clearance.
• Valid driver’s license is required when driving vehicles for work-related purposes.
• Must be able to successfully pass a background screening / investigation according to the established requirements below.

Tribal preference in accordance with Cowlitz Indian Tribe Code and CIT Employee Policies and Procedures Handbook shall apply to all positions. All positions are required to adhere to CIT’s established safety policies regarding vaccine requirements and personal protective equipment (PPE).

• Reference checks, education and employment verification.
• Federal, state, and/or tribal criminal history and sanction checks.
• Has not been found guilty of, charged with, received a deferred sentence, received a conditional discharge of, or entered a plea of not contest to, or entered a plea of guilty to any one felony or misdemeanor crimes of violence, sexual assault, molestation, exploitation or sexual contact; prostitution; or crimes committed against person(s) or children.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly is required to stand; walk; sit; stop, kneel, bend, or crouch; use hands to manipulate, touch, or grasp objects and materials and type on a keyboard; reach with hands and arms; and perform repetitive tasks. Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing abilities to discern verbal instructions and communicate effectively in person and via telephone. The employee occasionally is required to lift up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Work is performed in an office and clinical setting. Employee may be exposed to unpleasant odors, bodily fluids, and infectious disease and frequent exposure to dust, fumes, airborne particles and/or allergens. Situations occur where PPE (personal protective equipment) is needed. Work may involve working with hostile, violent or offensive individuals. Overnight travel, weekend, and/or evening work is occasionally required. Tight time constraints and multiple demands are common.