CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER - 72700

Executive Service

For more information, visit the link below:
https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/correction/documents/PositionChiefMedicalOfficer.pdf

Background Check:

This position requires a criminal background check. Therefore, you may be required to provide information about your criminal history in order to be considered for this position.

Who we are and what we do:

The Office of Clinical Services combines the oversight of medical, dental, pharmacy, mental health, and substance use programming for over 20,000 offenders for a model of care that promotes a whole patient approach to providing health care services. Upon intake into our system, all inmates receive extensive medical, mental health, substance use and dental screening testing to identify their physical and mental health status and treatment needs.

How you make a difference in this role:

Tennessee Department of Correction is looking for a Chief Medical Officer that will serve as the top medical authority for clinical decision-making across all correctional healthcare sites. They will provide expert consultation to facility providers on complex or high-risk medical cases. CMOs will promote a culture of continuous learning, ethical care, and professional accountability within correctional health teams across the state of Tennessee.

Job Overview:

• Lead or co-lead morbidity and mortality (M&M) review processes.
• Develop root cause analyses for adverse events and implement system-wide corrective actions.
• Ensure findings from M&M reviews are disseminated to providers for quality improvement and education.
• Oversee the correctional formulary, ensuring appropriate, evidence-based prescribing in a cost-effective manner.
• Collaborate with pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), vendors, and internal teams to monitor utilization, address shortages, and ensure medication continuity.
• Review and approve non-formulary medication requests and develop clinical pathways for chronic disease management.
• Develop and maintain clinical policies and protocols aligned with NCCHC, ACA, and state/federal standards.
• Participate in audits, accreditation surveys, and contract compliance reviews.
• Collaborate with Quality Improvement/Assurance (QI/QA) teams to set clinical benchmarks and monitor performance metrics.
• Act as the clinical liaison with contracted vendors, including behavioral health, dental, specialty services, and telemedicine providers.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Coordinate with state agencies (e.g., Department of Corrections, Department of Health) to align medical services with public health and justice goals.
2. Communicate effectively with legal counsel, advocacy organizations, and oversight bodies as needed regarding care standards and case reviews.
3. Support onboarding, training, and continuing education for site medical staff, including physicians, advanced practice providers, and nurses.
4. Participate in audits, accreditation surveys, and contract compliance reviews. Address provider performance issues and support remediation or disciplinary processes when needed.
5. Contribute to the executive leadership team on decisions affecting healthcare delivery, budgeting, risk management, and innovation.
6. Lead initiatives to integrate medical, behavioral health, and reentry care for better continuity and outcomes.
7. Stay abreast of emerging trends in correctional health, population health, and public health policy.

Minimum Qualifications:

Graduation from an approved school of medicine and licensure to practice medicine in the State of Tennessee.

Pursuant to the State of Tennessee's Workplace Discrimination and Harassment policy, the State is firmly committed to the principle of fair and equal employment opportunities for its citizens and strives to protect the rights and opportunities of all people to seek, obtain, and hold employment without being subjected to illegal discrimination and harassment in the workplace. It is the State's policy to provide an environment free of discrimination and harassment of an individual because of that person's race, color, national origin, age (40 and over), sex, pregnancy, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status or any other category protected by state and/or federal civil rights laws.