Juvenile Rehabilitation (JR) Medical Director

State of Washington; Olympia (WA); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 203,000; Part time

Job summary

The State of Washington is seeking a Juvenile Rehabilitation (JR) Medical Director in Olympia (hybrid, 60% FTE). You will oversee medical care standards across JR programs, advise leadership on healthcare policy, ensure regulatory compliance, and provide direct clinical care at secure facilities.

In addition to clinical duties, you will supervise medical staff and participate in system-wide quality improvement.

Qualifications

• MD, board certified, and a current, valid license to practice medicine in Washington.
• Possess or meet eligible criteria for DEA.
• Exceptional communication skills with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience supervising providers and providing clinical consultation.

Responsibilities

• Provide medical leadership across JR’s enterprise and supervise medical staff.
• Offer clinical consultation to facility teams and community providers.
• Oversee medical quality assurance activities.
• Provide on‑call availability for emergent cases and urgent consultation needs.
• Meet weekly with RN3s to advise on best‑practice care and contribute to audits.
• Coordinate the medical continuum of care across facilities.
• Deliver direct clinic support at JR facilities and maintain staff education.

Skills

Medical leadership

Clinical supervision

Regulatory compliance

Communication skills

Problem solving

Education

Doctor of Medicine (MD)

Job description

Our vision is to ensure that “All Washington's children and youth grow up safe and healthy, thriving physically, emotionally, and educationally, nurtured by family and community".

Job Title: Juvenile Rehabilitation (JR) Medical Director

Location: Olympia, WA

Closes: Monday, November 23, 2026

Salary: $130,000.00 – $202,888.80 Annually (This reflects pay prorated to 60% FTE. The full-time salary range for this position is $130,320.00 – $338,148.00 annually.)

Schedule: Part-time (60%) on-call; days

Work Setting

This is a hybrid position — not fully remote. The Medical Director provides in-person clinic care at JR secure facilities and travels to community facilities; administrative work may be performed remotely. Regular on-site presence is required.

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is accepting applications for a Medical Director to oversee the standards of medical care across Juvenile Rehabilitation (JR) programs and ensure regulatory compliance. The Medical Director advises JR community facility leadership on the care of young people who access Medicaid-funded providers while in those facilities, delivers direct services and clinics at JR secure facilities, and provides on-call coverage and case consultation. This is a unique opportunity to influence policy, advance evidence-based practice, and ensure young people receive high‑quality, developmentally informed care that supports their health, rehabilitation, and long‑term success.

To learn more about DCYF.

The Opportunity

As the JR Medical Director, you will serve as the primary healthcare authority for Juvenile Rehabilitation statewide, leading the system of medical care and treatment for youth in JR programs. You will advise executive leadership on healthcare policy and system improvements, oversee standards of care and regulatory compliance, and ensure consistent, high‑quality, developmentally informed care across secure and community facilities.

You will provide clinical supervision to medical providers and nursing supervisors, oversee healthcare contracts, consult on complex cases, and hold final authority for medical treatment decisions for youth in JR residential programs. Working closely with JR leadership, behavioral health partners, and community providers, you will advance quality improvement, promote compliance with National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) standards, and support the Medicaid 1115 Reentry Waiver. You will also provide direct clinical care to youth, deliver medical education to staff, and help shape the future of healthcare for justice‑involved youth. If you are a systems‑minded physician leader dedicated to this work, we encourage you to apply.

Some of what you'll do

• Provide medical leadership and ongoing communication across JR’s enterprise, including clinical supervision of medical staff and nurse managers, participation in leadership meetings, interviews for key clinical positions, and oversight and guidance for clinical systems and services.
• Provide consultation on medical service needs to medical personnel at each facility and to community providers, particularly for youth with complex needs who are transitioning to a community facility or reentering the community.
• Oversee and facilitate regular medical quality assurance activities.
• Provide on‑call availability for emergent cases, critical incidents, or other urgent consultation needs.
• Meet weekly with RN3s to advise on best‑practice care and contribute to audit preparation.
• Coordinate the medical aspects of the continuum of care.
• Provide direct medical clinic support, focusing on coverage and outdates at Echo Glen Children’s Center and Green Hill School approximately one day per month.
• Conduct medical assessments of JR young people to include medical history and physical exam, complete diagnosis, and medication evaluation. Provide (as needed) consultation with families regarding the care of youth.

Required Qualifications

• A Doctor of Medicine (MD), be Board Certified and have a current, valid license to practice medicine in the State of Washington.
• Possess or meet eligible criteria for DEA.

AND

• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  • Exceptional communication skills with the ability to communicate orally and in writing with a variety of individuals ranging from agency administration, residential program and security staff, health care professionals, patient advocates, and other lay people.
  • Experience supervising providers and providing consultation to non‑clinical program personnel on the execution of support services.
  • The ability to take action to learn and grow.
  • The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following

• Experience in adolescent medicine in a residential setting.
• Familiarity with best practices of medicine in juvenile justice/carceral settings.
• Familiarity with standards of practice as defined by the National Commission on Correctional Healthcare (NCCHC)
• Experience with administering Medications for Opioid Use Disorder in coordination with substance use dependence professionals.

Supplemental Information

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is committed to Washington’s children and youth growing up safe, healthy, and thriving. We invite all candidates to join us in our goal to create a diverse and equitable workplace that reflects the communities we serve. If you are excited about this role but you believe that your education and/or experience might not align perfectly with every qualification in the job posting, we encourage you to apply anyway.

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability.

Applicants selected for an interview are required to pass a national fingerprint background check and complete a questionnaire mandated by the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) inquiring about any sexual misconduct. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but is considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the job.

Must provide information about past allegations or investigations related to client relationships.

This position requires at least two years of driving experience and a valid driver’s license.

Must maintain a current CPR/First Aid certification.

Must maintain at least 12 hours of continuing education or in‑service training yearly.

DCYF participates in the federal E-Verify program. The selected candidate must provide proof of identity and authorization to work in the United States, consistent with E-Verify requirements, on their first day of employment.