Medical Director, Key Extended Entry Program (KEEP)(Aso Exec Dir Lvl), Correctional Health Services

NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest municipal health care system in the nation. We are a network of 11 hospitals, trauma centers, neighborhood health centers, nursing homes, and post-acute care centers.  We are a home care agency and a health plan, MetroPlus. Our health system provides essential services to 1.4 million New Yorkers every year in more than 70 locations across the city's five boroughs. Our diverse workforce of more than 42,000 employees are uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. Visit us at https://www.nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected on https://www.facebook.com/NYCHealthSystem nycHHC or Twitter@hhcnyc.

NYC Health + Hospitals is also home to Correctional Health Services, one of the nation’s leading correctional health care systems in quality of, and innovations and access to care.  In-jail services include medical, mental health, nursing, substance use treatment, social work, dental and vision care, discharge planning, and reentry support. In addition to providing direct patient care in the jails, CHS conducts enhanced pre-arraignment screening and forensic psychiatric examinations; and leverages the resources of the Health + Hospitals  system to help discharged patients successfully return to their communities. CHS is also a pivotal partner in New York City’s criminal justice reform efforts.  Our workforce is comprised of more than 1,500 dedicated professionals, with locations in all five boroughs and on Rikers Island.

At NYC Health + Hospitals, our mission is to deliver high quality care health services, without exception. Every employee takes a person-centered approach that exemplifies the ICARE values (Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence) through empathic communication and partnerships between all persons.

Summary of position:

This full-time position reports to the Chief of Medicine in the Division of Correctional Health Services and is responsible for the clinical oversight, management, and innovative development of our SAMHSA certified, jail-based opioid treatment program, which provides medication assisted treatment to incarcerated patients with opioid use disorder. At least one day per week of clinical work within the OTP caring for patients receiving or interested in starting medication assisted treatment is expected in order to maintain clinical skills, develop a deep and nuanced understanding of the correctional health system, and serve as a mentor and direct supervisor for staff and trainees. In addition to clinical leadership, this position will also work in close collaboration with leadership in the medical and mental health service (e.g., Site Medical Directors, Director of Court Services, Clinical and Medical Directors of Mental Health) to ensure coordinated and comprehensive care. Close collaboration is also necessary with the Department of Correction (DOC) leadership and the nursing, pharmacy and reentry service programs of CHS.  In addition to improving in-jail services for patients with any substance use disorder, an expectation of this position also includes advocacy within the larger criminal justice and public health systems.

Examples of Responsibilities:

• ● Provide clinical leadership and support for the jail-based opioid treatment program (“KEEP”), as well as for patients with any substance use disorder.
• ● Supervise Director of OTP Operations and Director of OTP Reentry & Community Partnerships.
• ● Direct clinical care responsibilities include at least one day per week caring for patients enrolled in our opioid treatment program, as well as providing community prescriptions for patients on buprenorphine leaving the jail-system. Additional responsibilities include providing clinical support for our opioid treatment program nurses.
• ● In coordination with Chiefs of Medicine, provide oversight of design, implementation, ongoing review and monitoring of relevant opioid use disorder procedures, policies and operating manuals.
• ● Lead Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement efforts related to opioid use disorder treatment, as well as participation in any mandated internal and external reporting.
• ● Responsibility for monitoring and maintaining standards for service provision in compliance with the NYC Board of Correction Mental Health Minimum Standards, professional standards set by NYC Health + Hospitals, OASAS requirements, and expectations pursuant to class action settlements involving the care of jailed individuals with mental health needs (e.g., Brad H. v. City of New York).
• ● Active participation in educational activities, including supervision of medical trainees, interdisciplinary cross-training, and case conferences.
• ● Report on an as-needed basis to the CHS Morbidity and Mortality review committee.
• ● Other duties at the direction of the Chiefs of Medicine.

Department Preferences:

• ● Excellent diagnostic and treatment skills related to substance use disorders, with particular expertise in harm reduction and the treatment of opioid use disorder.
• ● Excellent interpersonal communication skills and ability to work collaboratively with other disciplines, including Department of Correction staff and leadership.
• ● Strong leadership skills with ability to identify staff needs and provide mentorship and education to suit those needs.
• ● Ability to effectively delegate and assign tasks with responsibility for follow-up.
• ● Experience managing QA/QI activities in a health care setting.

Qualification Requirements:

1. Education

• a. MD with active NY State license in good standing.
• b. Completion of a psychiatric, internal medicine or family medicine residency training program.
• c. Board certification in psychiatry, internal medicine or family medicine.
• d. Completion of Addiction Psychiatry/Medicine fellowship and/or board certification preferred.
• e. DEA license with waiver to prescribe buprenorphine.

2. Experience

• a. At least three years of post-residency experience working with individuals with substance use disorders in a criminal justice setting (jail, prison, probation and/or parole) or public health community setting.
• b. At least one year of management experience.

3. An equivalent and satisfactory combination of education and experience may be considered.

Please be advised that proof of Covid-19 vaccination is required prior to hire.

If you wish to apply for this position, please apply online by clicking the "Apply Now" button or mail your resume, noting the above Job ID #, to:


NYC Health + Hospitals / Correctional Health Services

Talent Acquisition Human Resources Department
55 Water Street, 18th Floor
New York, NY 10041
Attn: Talent Acquisition

If applying online, please include your cover letter in the same file attachment with your uploaded resume.