Temporary Chief Operating Officer

Description

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) provides executive leadership for all operational functions of the organization, ensuring efficient, compliant, and patient-centered delivery of services across a rural, multi-site Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). The COO is responsible for operational performance, workforce execution, and infrastructure that supports high-quality clinical services.

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the COO partners closely with the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) to ensure alignment between clinical quality and operational execution. The COO owns the systems, workflows, staffing models, and performance management structures that enable providers to deliver care consistent with organizational standards and regulatory requirements. The COO ensures operational compliance with the HRSA Health Center Program and maintains the integrity of the approved scope of project.

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the COO partners with executive leadership and the Board of Directors to implement organizational strategy, maintain compliance with HRSA Health Center Program requirements, ensure operational integrity, and maintain the organization’s operational quality infrastructure and performance management systems, in close collaboration with the Chief Medical Officer (CMO).

This position reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and works in close partnership with the Board of Directors and executive leadership team.

Supervision Exercised: Provides direct and indirect oversight of operational leaders.

Essential Responsibilities:

Operational Leadership & Strategy

• Lead and oversee day-to-day operations across all service lines, including primary care, women’s health, behavioral health, school-based health centers (SBHCs), and specialty programs
• Implement organizational strategy and ensure operational alignment with mission, Board priorities, and community needs
• Standardize workflows across sites while accounting for rural access challenges and program-specific requirements
• Establish clear accountability structures, performance expectations, and operational discipline

HRSA Compliance & Scope of Project Oversight

• Ensure operational compliance with all applicable Health Resources and Services Administration Health Center Program requirements
• Maintain oversight of operational components of the approved scope of project, including sites, hours of operation, staffing models, and service accessibility
• Ensure implementation and operational integrity of required programs such as the Sliding Fee Discount Program (SFDP) and enabling services
• Lead operational preparation and response for HRSA Operational Site Visits (OSVs), audits, and corrective actions

Quality Infrastructure & Performance Management (Non-Clinical)

• Own the operational quality infrastructure, including dashboards, reporting systems, and performance accountability processes
• Partner with the CMO to support the organization’s QI/QA program by ensuring data availability, operational follow-through, and performance improvement execution
• Monitor operational KPIs (access, throughput, cycle times, patient flow, no-shows) and support achievement of clinical quality goals
• Lead cross-functional performance reviews and ensure implementation of improvement plans
• Oversee operational components of risk management, incident reporting workflows, and grievance tracking (clinical determination remains with CMO)

Access to Care & Patient Flow

• Ensure timely access to care across all sites and service lines
• Optimize scheduling, staffing, and workflows to support provider productivity and continuity of care
• Remove operational barriers impacting patient access, particularly in rural and underserved communities
• Ensure front-end processes (registration, scheduling, referrals) support compliant and efficient care delivery

Financial & Resource Management

• Oversee operational budgets and resource allocation in partnership with the CFO
• Align staffing models and workflows with productivity and financial sustainability goals
• Monitor operational performance against budget and utilization targets

Workforce & Operational Leadership

• Lead and develop operational leaders and managers
• Ensure appropriate staffing structures to support clinical care delivery (CMO defines clinical standards; COO ensures staffing execution)
• Partner with Human Resources on recruitment, retention, and workforce planning
• Promote a culture of accountability, consistency, and service excellence

Facilities, Safety & Infrastructure

• Oversee facilities, safety programs, and emergency preparedness
• Ensure regulatory compliance related to environment of care and operational infrastructure
• Support site expansion, service delivery optimization, and capital planning

External Coordination & System Alignment

• Support operational alignment with community partners, referral networks, and regional systems
• Collaborate with external entities as needed to ensure continuity of care and access
• Support alignment with Medicaid delivery systems under the Oregon Health Authority

Organizational Leadership

• Serve as a member of the Executive Leadership Team
• Provide operational performance reporting to the CEO and Board
• Ensure alignment between operational execution and organizational strategy
• Perform other duties as assigned to support organizational success

Requirements

 Education, Experience, & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration, Business, Public Health, or related field; Master's degree strongly preferred
• 5–7 years of progressive healthcare operations leadership experience; previous executive experience strongly preferred
• Experience managing multi-site operations and cross-functional teams
• Experience with FQHC operations, HRSA/Bureau of Primary Health Care (BPHC) compliance, and rural healthcare delivery
• Demonstrated strategic, financial, and operational leadership
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and community engagement skills
• Ability to handle sensitive information with objectivity, confidentiality and professionalism
• Certified Medical Practice Executive (CMPE) preferred
• Prior experience reporting to or working with a nonprofit governing board
• Knowledge of Oregon’s CCO model, Medicaid managed care, and integrated care systems preferred
• Bilingual speaking skills desirable

Licenses/Certifications

• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification (or obtained upon hire) 
• Non-violent Crisis Intervention Comprehensive training class completed within 6 months of hire and recertify prior to the expiration date.

 Immunizations Required

• TB (test upon hire).