***THIS RECRUITMENT MAY CLOSE WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE DEPENDING ON THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS RECEIVED. APPLICANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE*** Job Summary The State of Nevada Department of Human Services is seeking an experienced, visionary, and highly collaborative physician leader to serve as the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) in Carson City or Las Vegas, NV. This is an executive-level appointment responsible for advancing the health, safety, and wellbeing of Nevadans through clinical leadership, strategic direction, and evidence based public health practice.
The CMO serves as the face of public health in Nevada, representing the Department in statewide initiatives, legislative forums, media engagements, interagency collaborations, and community partnerships. Essential Qualifications A Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree from an accredited institution AND current license or eligibility for licensure to practice medicine in the State of Nevada AND ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience as a licensed physician, including at least five (5) years in executive or senior leadership overseeing clinical operations, public health programs, healthcare systems, or medical services. Job Duties This leader will oversee medical policy, quality of care, clinical operations, population-based health strategies, and system-wide performance improvement.
Serve as Nevada's senior physician authority on matters of public health, clinical policy, and medical oversight for DHS. Provide strategic leadership across a broad portfolio of behavioral health, forensic, residential, and intermediate care programs. Guide population-level health initiatives and respond to statewide public health priorities and emergencies.
Act as chief clinical advisor to DHS leadership, the Governor's Office, legislators, and partner agencies. Lead quality improvement, clinical risk management, and evidence-based practice initiatives across DHS facilities. Support workforce development and recruitment of medical and behavioral health professionals.
Engage with communities, health systems, advocacy groups, and professional associations as a trusted public health voice. Represent Nevada in national forums on public health, behavioral health, and clinical system performance. The role provides senior-level clinical oversight across DHS programs including: Adult forensic psychiatric hospitals Children's psychiatric residential treatment facilities Behavioral and mental health services Adult intermediate care facility for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities Additional statewide clinical and public health programs under DHS Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Knowledge of: Principles and practices of public health medicine, including disease prevention, health promotion, population health, communicable disease control, chronic disease prevention, environmental health, and emergency preparedness.
Federal and state public health laws, regulations, and healthcare policy, including Medicaid, Medicare, HIPAA, public health authorities, licensing standards, and regulatory compliance. Clinical quality improvement, patient safety, and evidence-based medicine applicable to publicly funded healthcare systems. Healthcare administration and executive management principles, including strategic planning, organizational development, budgeting, performance management, and resource allocation.
Epidemiology, biostatistics, surveillance systems, and interpretation of population health data to support policy and program decisions. Healthcare financing and reimbursement, including Medicaid financing, federal grants, public health funding mechanisms, and value-based care. Medical ethics and standards of professional medical practice, including quality assurance, peer review, credentialing, and clinical governance.
Health equity, social determinants of health, and culturally responsive healthcare delivery for diverse populations. Emergency preparedness and incident command principles related to public health emergencies, disease outbreaks, and disaster response. Skills in: Providing executive medical leadership for large, complex healthcare or public health organizations.
Developing strategic initiatives that improve population health outcomes while aligning with organizational priorities. Analyzing complex clinical, epidemiological, operational, and financial information to support executive decision-making. Communicating highly technical medical and scientific information clearly to executives, legislators, providers, the media, and the public.
Leading multidisciplinary teams through organizational change, quality improvement initiatives, and healthcare transformation. Developing healthcare policies, clinical standards, and medical practice guidelines. Managing organizational risk through regulatory compliance, quality assurance, and clinical governance.
Negotiating and resolving complex policy, operational, and stakeholder issues. Representing the department before legislative committees, executive leadership, professional organizations, and public forums. Ability to: Provide statewide executive leadership for medical and public health programs serving diverse populations.
Establish long-term strategic direction for clinical services, population health initiatives, and healthcare delivery systems. Exercise sound medical judgment in complex, high-profile, or politically sensitive situations. Integrate medical, legal, fiscal, operational, and policy considerations into executive decisions.
Lead responses to public health emergencies and emerging health threats under rapidly changing conditions. Interpret and apply complex federal and state statutes, regulations, clinical standards, and accreditation requirements. Foster collaboration among governmental agencies, healthcare providers, community organizations, and other stakeholders.
Promote innovation, continuous quality improvement, and organizational excellence throughout the healthcare system. Maintain public trust through ethical leadership, transparency, accountability, and effective communication. The State of Nevada is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to building diverse, inclusive, and innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them.
All applicants are considered without regard to race, color, national origin, religion or belief, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, domestic partnership, genetic information (GINA), or compensation and/or wages. Please send direct Inquiries or correspondence to the recruiter listed on this announcement.