The Changing Role of an Interim Chief Medical Officer
Bridging the gap for the toughest job in a new age of healthcare
Clinical staffing services are a familiar concept in the healthcare industry and have been used for decades to meet the patient care needs of healthcare provider organizations. Similarly, the use of interim senior physician executives is on the rise, being used to ensure that the complex operational and strategic needs of healthcare providers are met.
Market forces such as consolidation, expansion into new markets, and value-based care initiatives are continuing to disrupt healthcare organizations at all levels, particularly at the executive physician leadership level. The use of interim physician executives such as Chief Medical Officers can create a ‘best of both worlds scenario,’ providing the organization with top talent where and when they need it, for only the necessary period to advance key initiatives and fill critical vacancies.
What are the key benefits of using an interim Chief Medical Officer?
LB: The CMO position has evolved into a critical role in the hospital and health system. Not having a CMO, or having a CMO spread too thin can increase a hospital’s risk in a variety of ways. Limited or lacking resources at the CMO level can be unhealthy for the organization, jeopardizing quality and safety initiatives as well as creating a gap in oversight of medical staff, peer review, and accreditation readiness.
Rushing to hire and fill a CMO vacancy can lead to selecting the wrong candidate, damaging the organization, and wasting tens of thousands of dollars. While an organization searches for a permanent CMO, a qualified interim CMO can effectively keep key success factors on track.
Are there other benefits to using an interim physician executive, beyond filling a vacancy?
LB: In addition to using the interim CMO to fill a vacancy and keep operations running smoothly, there are other, more strategic reasons to do so.
For example, CEOs and System CMOs are measured on accomplishing specific projects and producing key performance results. An interim CMO can provide additional bandwidth to ensure that strategic objectives are achieved whether they be one-time or annual needs such as peer review.
Interim CMOs are typically very experienced, having been in multiple organizations in a condensed time frame. Thus, they have a more advanced understanding of the issues they have successfully handled. Their vast experience helps them lead strategic initiatives such as utilization and
risk management, mergers, clinical transformation, and transitioning to advanced payment models. They can also serve as mentors to develop existing physician leaders that are being invested in by the organization.
Additionally, complex and charged situations are often more straightforward for an objective interim CMO to navigate, rather than someone who has been in the organization since an interim can approach the situation with a “blank slate.”
How is Greeley responding to this need in the market? How is Greeley different than other staffing or recruiting firms in healthcare?
LB: Greeley is uniquely positioned to provide the best-customized solutions to hospitals and health systems, as a result of 30+ years of partnering with hospitals to solve their biggest challenges. Greeley is not just a staffing firm; weare a full-service consulting company drawing upon experience working with thousands of healthcare clients. We deliver practical solutions in consulting, education, credentialing, and external peer review, as well as interim staffing.
All of our interim CMOs go through an extensive screening process with Greeley’s CMO, a nationally renowned expert in medical staff development, education and physicianhospital alignment. Greeley understands that the role of the CMO is the toughest job in healthcare, and we can support our interim CMOs by backing them in a variety of ways. There isn’t another company in the country that better understands the challenges that a CMO faces daily.
A successful outcome for your hospital is our top priority, that is the “Greeley way.” Whether you have an immediate need for a CMO or are interested in additional support for your existing leadership, Greeley has candidates ready to help. Start the conversation with our Interim Staffing team by calling 888.749.3054 or reaching out via info@greeley.com.