Position Summary:
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a member of the Executive Leadership Team and is responsible for leading and optimizing the operational functions of the Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). In collaboration with executive leaders in Human Resources, Quality Improvement, Medical, Dental, and Finance, the COO ensures operational excellence, efficient service delivery, regulatory compliance, and alignment with the organization’s strategic goals.
The COO provides executive oversight of Clinic Operations, Pharmacy Services, Behavioral Health and Support Services, Health Information Management, Front Office Operations, and Facilities Management. This role drives operational performance, enhances patient access and experience, supports organizational growth, and fosters a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement in support of the Center’s mission and the communities it serves.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Operational Leadership
- Provides executive oversight and leadership for assigned operational departments and service lines.
- Directs the daily operational activities of the health center to ensure efficiency, effectiveness, and alignment with organizational goals.
- Develops, implements, and monitors operational strategies that improve patient access, service delivery, patient satisfaction, and organizational performance.
- Establishes operational goals, key performance indicators (KPIs), and accountability measures to support strategic objectives.
- Monitors operational performance and partners with department leaders to implement corrective action plans as necessary to address operational and service-related issues.
- Leads initiatives to improve workflow efficiency, patient experience, care coordination, and operational effectiveness.
Strategic Planning and Organizational Development
- Participates in the development and execution of the Center’s strategic plan and organizational priorities.
- Identifies opportunities for growth, operational innovation, and service expansion that support organizational goals and community needs.
- Collaborates with executive leadership to develop and implement short- and long-term operational plans that support sustainability and organizational success.
- Promotes a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, accountability, and operational excellence.
Leadership and Workforce Development
- Provides leadership, guidance, and professional development to operational leaders, fostering accountability and high performance..
- Models organizational values and promotes a culture focused on service excellence, health equity, and patient-centered care.
- Partners with Human Resources and organizational leaders to support employee engagement, retention, succession planning, and workforce development initiatives.
Quality, Compliance, and Risk Management
- Partners with the Quality Improvement Director, Chief Medical Officer, and other leaders to support compliance with FQHC, HRSA, CMS, state, federal, and accreditation requirements.
- Supports organization-wide quality improvement, risk management, patient safety, and performance improvement initiatives.
- Ensures operational departments maintain compliance with applicable healthcare regulations, including HIPAA, HRSA Health Center Program requirements, and other regulatory standards.
- Collaborates with the Health Information Management and Compliance Officer to support information privacy, security, and patient health information access requirements.
- Utilizes operational data and performance metrics to support quality, compliance, and organizational improvement efforts.
- Supports implementation and monitoring of corrective action plans resulting from audits, reviews, or performance improvement activities.
Community and Stakeholder Relations
- Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with community partners, healthcare organizations, government agencies, and other stakeholders.
- Represents the organization in community meetings, partnerships, and collaborative initiatives as assigned.
- Maintains positive and productive relationships with the Board of Directors, executive leadership, providers, staff, and external partners.
Financial and Resource Management
- Collaborates with the Chief Financial Officer in budget development, resource allocation, and operational planning processes.
- Monitors operational performance and resource utilization to support organizational efficiency and financial stewardship.
- Supports grant writing, implementation, reporting, and compliance activities related to operational programs and funding opportunities.
- Identifies opportunities for operational efficiencies, process improvements, and sustainable organizational growth.
Administrative Responsibilities
- Oversees operational reporting, data analysis, and performance monitoring activities.
- Ensures accurate maintenance of operational records, reports, and documentation.
- Participates in organizational committees, workgroups, leadership meetings, and Board activities as assigned.
- Maintains professional competency through continuing education and leadership development opportunities.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Education and Experience Required:
- Bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration, Public Health, Business Administration, or a related field.
- Minimum of five (5) years of progressive healthcare leadership experience, including multi-department operational oversight.
- Experience in a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) or community health center setting preferred.
- Demonstrated experience leading organizational change, performance improvement initiatives, and cross-functional teams.
Competencies:
- Establishes clear goals.
- Fosters Teamwork.
- Develops & Empowers Others.
- Change Management.
- Performance Management.
- Interpersonal Awareness.
- Collaborative.
- Forward Thinking.
- Strategic Thinking.
- Takes Initiative.
- Decisiveness.
- Stress Management.
- Flexibility.
- Integrity.
Job Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Required:
- Excellent healthcare business acumen and leadership skills.
- High level of integrity and dependability with a strong sense of urgency and results orientation.
- Excellent process improvement skills and ability to understand clinic functions and department interactions.
- Deep knowledge and experience in information privacy laws, access, release of information, and release of control technologies.
- Ability to develop long-term plans and programs based on knowledge of organizational and operational goals.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Excellent communication skills both written and verbal.
- Excellent computer skills.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:
This is a full-time exempt position. On occasion, the Chief Operations Officer may be required to work additional hours to complete specific projects and/or fulfill the job duties of the position.
Equal Employment Opportunity:
Center for Family Health is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, political views or activity, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.
Education
Required
- Bachelors or better in Business Administration or related field
- Bachelors or better in Health Administration or related field
Behaviors
Preferred
- Team Player: Works well as a member of a group
- Innovative: Consistently introduces new ideas and demonstrates original thinking
- Leader: Inspires teammates to follow them
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
