NOTE: There are no standard definitions for position titles in the industry. Our position descriptions are intended to be all encompassing. The more specific the position description, the less applicable it becomes to all participating practices and influences the amount of data reported. Please read the description and select the position title that most closely reflects the responsibilities of the employee.
Administrator
- The top advanced practice professional administrative position with less authority than a CEO;
- Maintains broad responsibilities for all administrative functions of the medical practice, including operations, marketing, finance, managed care/third party contracting, physician compensation and reimbursement, human resources, medical and business information systems, and planning and development; and
- Typically oversees management personnel with direct responsibilities for the specific functional areas of the organization.
Chief Department Administrator (CDA)
- Top administrative officer of one or more clinical science departments;
- Oversees, plans, guides and evaluates the nonmedical activities of the department including full or partial direct responsibility for the operation of ambulatory services;
- Broad responsibilities within the department include development of the department budget and approval of department expenditures; and
- Responsibilities may include full or partial management of hospital functions, supervising the department administrative staff.
Associate/Assistant Department Administrator
- Generally, consults, advises, and assists the top departmental administrator in providing leadership and direction in planning and coordinating activities;
- Generally, has a limited scope of responsibility such as marketing or human resources; and
- Multiple associate/assistant administrators may assume leadership of the department in the absence of the top administrator.
Contracts/Grants Department Administrator
- Oversees the disbursement, financial reporting, and the use of all extramural funds associated with the department’s clinical and basic research programs; and
- Coordinates the development and submission of grant and contract proposals to internal and external agencies.
Division/Section Administrator
- Top administrative officer of one or more divisions or sections of a clinical science department; and
- Manages the nonclinical activities of the division(s) or section(s) and typically supervises the division or section administrative staff.
IS Manager/Network Administrator
- Coordinates the activities of the IS department including determining data processing requirements, managing department networks, determining feasibility of data projects, and performing analysis of department production; and
- Maintains and upgrades hardware and software.
Assistant Administrator
- Provides assistance to the CEO and/or administrator with the management of one or more functional areas of the medical practice such as administration, managed care, human resources marketing, patient accounting, or operations;
- Has a more limited scope of responsibility than a chief operating officer (COO);
- A medical practice may have multiple assistant administrators; and
- Responsible for assisting the CEO and/or administrator in accomplishing organizational objectives.
Chief Compliance Officer
- Develops and reviews policies and procedures for the general operation of the organization to prevent improper and/or illegal conduct;
- Manages day-to-day operations of the implemented policies;
- Investigates any reported violations of policies or procedures; and
- Works with the Human Resources Department and other appropriate areas to develop effective compliance training.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)/Executive Director
- Highest advanced practice executive position in the organization;
- Develops and monitors organizational policy in conjunction with other management personnel and board of directors;
- Responsible for the overall operation of the organization, including patient care, contract relations, and activities that relate to the future growth of the organization such as strategic planning and marketing;
- Oversees a team of senior management personnel who have direct responsibility for specific functional areas of the organization; and
- Typically serves as a liaison between the organization and staff members, businesses, individuals in the community, and board of directors.
Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
- Develops financial policies and oversees their implementation;
- Typically monitors a variety of financial activities, including budgeting, analysis, accounting, billing, payer contracting, collections, and the preparation of tax returns;
- Usually prepares or oversees the preparation of annual reports and long-term projections to ensure that the organization’s financial obligations are met;
- May obtain funds for capital development; and
- May hold a designation as a certified public accountant (CPA).
Department Financial Officer
- Develops financial policies and oversees their implementation;
- Prepares short range and long-term projections to ensure that the department’s financial obligations are met; and
- Develops growth plans for the department.
Chief Information Officer (CIO)
- The top-level contact in information systems development and solutions;
- Contributes to general business planning regarding technology;
- Accountable for directing data integrity and confidentiality of the medical practice’s patient care information;
- Identifies new developments in information systems technology, and strategizes organizational modifications; and
- Requires a masters or bachelor’s degree in MIS, CIS, or a related field.
Chief Nursing/Clinical Officer (CNO)
- Provides leadership to assure standardization of clinical care work processes through collaboration of all organization disciplines;
- Possesses current licensure as a registered nurse; and
- Responsible for the overall direction of patient care services, monitoring standards of patient care, and setting facility performance goals.
Chief Operating Officer (COO)
- Consults, advises, and assists the CEO and/or administrator in providing leadership and direction in planning, directing, and coordinating both patient and non-patient care activities;
- Oversees the daily operations of the medical practice and/or other affiliated healthcare organizations; and
- Responsibilities may include facilities management, business services, human resources management.
Chief Legal Counsel
- Serves as chief legal advisor to the senior leadership;
- Responsible for coordination of all legal issues and ensuring compliance with state and federal rules, laws, and regulations;
- Reviews, drafts, and negotiates contracts with payers and/or providers; and
- Builds, manages, and mentors a team of legal professionals/outsourced legal resources in accordance with practice needs.
Chief Strategy Officer
- Provides assistance in developing and implementing a strategic plan for the organization/ company to ensure continued growth and success;
- Coaches the management team so they understand long-term profit and performance goals, and provides ongoing support and expertise to all management personnel; and
- Ensures that the organization's policies and procedures meet legal and ethical compliance with all laws and regulations.
Human Resources Executive
- Recommends and establishes company policies and procedures;
- Oversees all functions of an established human resources department within an organization; and
- Develops, implements, and coordinates policies relating to all aspects of personnel administration using the organization’s objectives. This includes recruitment, salary and benefits administration, EEO/AA and labor law compliance, and employee relations.
Marketing Executive
- The top marketing position in an organization with a distinct marketing and sales function;
- Directs and coordinates company sales, marketing functions, and implementation or related policies and procedures that relate to the promotion of the organization;
- May oversee the communications function;
- Develops marketing policies and programs that reflect the organization’s goals and objectives; and
- Oversees or conducts research designed to evaluate the organization’s market position.
MSO Administrator/Executive Director
- Oversees all activities of a hospital or investor owned MSO that provides practice management services to physician practices and clinics;
- Responsibilities range from the daily operations of multiple sites to developing strategic plans;
- Monitors the marketing of MSO services to physician clients;
- Typically serves as a liaison between various organization levels, from the physicians to the governing entities of the organization such as a hospital or health system, investors in the MSO, or a board of directors; and
- Oversees the provision of management services to newly integrated practices.
Patient Care Executive
- Responsible for the overall administration of patient services, including coordination of services with the interdisciplinary team; and
- Appropriately delegates responsibility to nursing coordinators/team leaders, social workers, chaplains, and therapists.
Vice President of Operations
- Responsible for managing operational and strategic business development;
- Ensures operational procedures are sustainable and profitable; and
- May supervise or collaborate with department managers to achieve production goals.
Vice President of Revenue
- Creates and manages the organization’s strategic vision and outcome of the revenue cycle;
- Performs duties that support efficient and effective revenue cycle performance; and
- Provides leadership to revenue related departments such as billing, accounts receivable and patient registration.