Job Description

The Physician Outreach Specialist reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization's Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

This role will serve as the Healthcare system and Hospital’s Physician Outreach Specialist to a defined territory and possible surrounding counties through program administration, projects and administrative support to enhance medical staff development while maintaining the mission of the Department of Physician Relations. The Specialist will act as the primary contact in building a relationship with private practice physicians aligned with Northwestern Medicine (NM) through Northwestern Medicine Physician Network (NMPN).

The vision for NMPN is to align NM physicians, both employed and private, through a single, scalable, clinically integrated network that services physicians and patients across the entire health system. The Physician Outreach Specialist will promote the integrity of NMPN, and support the recruitment, onboarding, engagement and education of both prospective and existing NMPN physicians and staff. This position will implement physician alignment and relationship strategies.

The Physician Outreach Specialist exhibits keen strategic thinking abilities as related to healthcare administration, demonstrates conceptual assessment skills, displays self-directed work style, with an innate ability to establish new and maintain existing relationships with affiliated NM and non-affiliated physicians. The Physician Outreach Specialist must maintain the highest customer service standards, as measured by high productivity and consistent high quality. This individual demonstrates poise and maturity when encountering unforeseen situations and demonstrates enhanced problem-solving techniques. Excellent interpersonal skills in varying situations are imperative.

_ Responsibilities:_

• Serve as an ambassador for NMPN and NM
• Establish strong relationships with the physicians in assigned territory and gain in-depth knowledge of the clinical specialties to effectively promote key clinical programs.
• Must be able to problem solve and identify ways to address provider network issues effectively or reach out to key team members for assistance
• Understanding NM clinical program for referral development by region
• Understanding of key managed care operations, including but not limited to BCBS HMO, MSSP
• Traveling frequently to providers in assigned region is required, including other regions as necessary
• Daily and weekly in person meetings in hospitals and/or physician offices within the assigned region
• Promote the integrity of Northwestern Medicine Physician Network (NMPN)
• Proactive outreach to the aligned private physicians within NMPN
• Provide support and ongoing education to contracted providers and their office staff regarding NMPN work policies, procedures, and contractual obligations to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.
• Develop collaborative relationships with Physicians and key stakeholders and system functions within NM including but not limited to quality plan, EHR, care coordination, managed care and credentialing
• Participation in new business development projects
• Assist in obtaining information and reports from provider offices regarding MSSP ACO and other programs
• Help facilitate and attend monthly Outreach and/or Operations Team Meetings, Quarterly Office Manager Meetings, and other meetings upon request
• Onboard and train new NMPN providers and staff
• Coverage of other regions as needed for colleagues PTO
• Supports the team in the recruitment, engagement, education and retention of private practice physicians aligned with NM via NMPN between Northwestern Medicine Physician Network and the provider and practice managers
• Maintain comprehensive documentation of physician contacts and activity to ensure availability of physician information across departments.
  • Database accuracy.
  • Timeliness of reports.
• Timely feedback from the outreach to physicians and management regarding accomplishments, problems, and recommended action plans.

Qualifications

** Required** :

• Bachelor's degree (B.A./B.S) or a minimum of 5 years of physician relations experience or healthcare experience working with physicians and/or their staff.
• Relevant experience and current knowledge of healthcare trends related to emerging models of population health management and its application to physician alignment networks.
• Ability to work with a variety of stakeholders to build consensus around a common program approach across all NM locations and practice settings.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to be highly flexible and responsive in varying situations.

** Preferred:**

• 5+ years of physician relations experience in a Clinically Integrated Network with employed and private practice physicians.
• Progressive experience regarding healthcare trends related to emerging models of population health management including but not limited to MSSP.
• Experience in the development of physician networks.
• Masters in Healthcare, Public Health, or Business Administration.
• Proficiency in computer software programs, i.e., Microsoft Word, and Excel.

Additional Information

Northwestern Medicine is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.