Positions Supervised: Nursing, Medical Staff, Advanced Practice Providers
Purpose, Essential Duties, and Responsibilities:
The Medical Director is responsible for the clinical and medical oversight of all addiction treatment services, ensuring delivery of care consistent with American Society of Addiction Medicine Criteria and State Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services regulations. This role ensures that all patients receive appropriate, evidence-based care across the continuum of services, including detoxification, residential, partial hospitalization (PHP), and outpatient levels of care, while maintaining patient safety, regulatory compliance, and quality outcomes.
Clinical Oversight & ASAM Compliance
- Ensure all clinical services align with ASAM Criteria, including:
- Level of care determinations
- Oversee and approve medical necessity determinations for all admissions
- Provide medical leadership for withdrawal management (detox) services
- Ensure appropriate use and oversight of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
- Maintain documentation of daily physician coverage logs for detox/residential programs
Medical Director Responsibilities
- Development of admission criteria
- Development of treatment protocols
- Development of medical policies and procedures
- Ensuring the adequacy of individual treatment plans (including medication plans) developed with the participation of professional staff, including notations of contraindications and precautions
- Providing or arranging for daily medical coverage to meet patient needs
- Determination of the credentials required of other physicians working under the medical director
- Determination of the credentials required of clinicians who may prescribe pharmacotherapies
- Maintain credentialing documentation for all prescribing clinicians and medical staff
- Oversee the initial credentialing and privileging process for all physicians and prescribers, including verification of medical licenses, board certification, DEA registration, and DATA 2000 waivers.
- Ensure re-credentialing and privileging occurs at least every two years, with documentation of ongoing competency and performance evaluations.
- Review and approve the scope of practice and clinical privileges for all medical staff and prescribing clinicians.
- Maintain all credentialing and privileging records in compliance with Joint Commission, state, and ASAM standards.
Leadership & Supervision
- Supervise all medical and nursing staff, including performance management
- Provide clinical guidance to multidisciplinary teams (therapy, case management, nursing)
- Participate in recruitment, hiring, and credentialing of medical staff
- Ensure participation in staff training and education
Quality & Regulatory Compliance
- Lead Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) initiatives
- Ensure compliance with:
- State, Federal, and Local regulations
- Participate in audits, surveys, and accreditation processes
- Oversee the quality of treatment provided by the program
- Document QAPI review participation and outcomes
- Participate in the collection and review of clinical outcome data, including readmission rates, adverse events, and patient satisfaction metrics.
- Implement corrective action plans based on QAPI findings and monitor effectiveness of interventions.
- Ensure all QAPI activities are documented and tracked in compliance with Joint Commission and ASAM requirements.
Program Development
- Develop and implement clinical programming across all ASAM levels of care
- Establish and maintain evidence-based protocols for:
- Actively participate in treatment team meetings and case reviews
- Collaborate with clinical staff to ensure integrated, patient-centered care
Administrative Responsibilities
- Participate in executive leadership and policy development
- Approve clinical policies, procedures, and protocols
- Monitor utilization review and cost management initiatives
Confidentiality & Compliance
- Ensure full compliance with 42 CFR Part 2 and HIPAA
- Maintain strict confidentiality of Protected Health Information (PHI)
- Report any compliance or privacy concerns per company policy
- The medical director provides significant programmatic leadership and participates in management and quality monitoring activities
Education Requirements:
- Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) from an accredited institution
- Board Certified or Board Eligible in Psychiatry, Addiction Medicine, or Addiction Psychiatry
Experience Requirements:
- Minimum 5 years of clinical experience in substance use disorder (SUD) and/or co-occurring disorder treatment
- Experience in ASAM Levels of Care (e.g., 3.7, 3.5, 2.5, 2.1) strongly preferred
- Prior leadership or supervisory experience preferred
Licensure / Certification/ Required Credentials:
- Current, active, and unencumbered Medical License (state variant on location)
- DEA registration (active and in good standing)
- Board certification in Addiction Medicine (e.g., ABAM/ABPM) or Psychiatry preferred
- DATA 2000 waiver (if applicable) or ability to prescribe MAT (Medication-Assisted Treatment) in state
- MD or DO license
- Board-certified in Addiction Medicine or Addiction Psychiatry (if required by state)
- For Level 3.7 programs: if a board-certified physician is unavailable, must have ≥5 years addiction treatment experience with a mentor board-certified in Addiction Medicine/Psychiatry
Knowledge & Training Required:
- Demonstrated knowledge of ASAM Criteria for patient placement, continued stay, and discharge
- Expertise in Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) including buprenorphine, naltrexone, and other FDA-approved medications
- Knowledge of withdrawal management protocols (ASAM Level 3.7-WM and ambulatory withdrawal)
- Understanding of co-occurring mental health disorders and integrated treatment approaches
Knowledge of:
- Substance use disorders and their biological, psychological, and social impacts
- Stages of withdrawal and appropriate medical interventions
- Overdose recognition and response (including naloxone use)
- Familiarity with:
- 42 CFR Part 2, HIPAA, and state confidentiality laws
- State licensure and documentation standards
- Patient rights, ethics, and non-discrimination policies
Ability to:
- Determine medical necessity using ASAM’s six dimensions
- Lead multidisciplinary treatment teams
- Develop policies, procedures, and clinical protocols
Training and Competency:
- Maintain current certifications in BLS/ACLS and other relevant emergency response protocols.
- Complete ongoing training in ASAM Criteria, MAT protocols, de‑escalation, infection control, and state‑specific regulatory requirements.
- Demonstrate competency in using clinical, monitoring, and documentation equipment on an ongoing basis.
- Participate in continuing education (CME) relevant to addiction medicine, withdrawal management, and co‑occurring disorders, etc.
Age-Specific Population Served:
- Adults (18+) with substance use disorders and co‑occurring mental health conditions
Physical and Mental Demands:
- These demands exist to ensure the Medical Director can safely and effectively provide clinical oversight, respond to emergencies, supervise staff, and ensure high-quality, ASAM‑compliant patient care.
Physical & Mental Demands:
- Ability to sit or stand for extended periods while reviewing charts, documentation, and electronic health records
- Ability to perform physical assessments as needed for withdrawal management or medical emergencies
- Capacity to respond quickly to medical emergencies, including administration of naloxone or other life‑saving interventions
- Mental capacity to make rapid, complex decisions regarding patient placement, treatment plans, and medical necessity
- Ability to interact professionally with patients, families, and multidisciplinary staff under high‑stress situations
- Maintain focus, attention to detail, and sound judgment for clinical, regulatory, and administrative responsibilities
- Provide on‑call coverage for medical emergencies, including nights, weekends, and holidays as scheduled.
- Respond to urgent clinical situations and coordinate care with medical and nursing staff to ensure patient safety and compliance with protocols.
Application Question(s):
- Are you able to come to the facility at minimum 2 days a week?
Education:
License/Certification:
- 5 years of clinical experience in substance use disorder (Required)