Medical Director, ACUTE Center Eating Disorders

Medical Director, ACUTE Center for Eating Disorders

Denver Health Medical Center has an opportunity for a Medical Director to lead our ACUTE Center for Eating Disorders. The Medical Director of ACUTE is a vital physician leader at Denver Health, who is responsible for the ongoing coordination and oversight of the medical services provided to hospitalized eating disorders patients at Denver Health's ACUTE Eating Disorder Center, an internationally recognized destination for patients with complex eating disorders.

ACUTE's medical director provides effective leadership and oversight of ACUTE's innovative care model, culture of excellence, clinical services, quality and safety program, multidisciplinary staffing, clinician professional development, and coordination and communication between Denver Health and other community and national organizations serving patients with complex eating disorders.

The position is supported with 60% administrative protected time and effort for leadership and management activities, with the remainder of the Medical Director's time dedicated to either direct clinical care or other funded work (e.g., via grant‑funded research or other external funding). The role reports directly to Denver Health's Chief Medical Officer and includes a title of Associate Chair, with a secondary reporting relationship to the Department Chair of Behavioral Health at Denver Health given the unique relationship between ACUTE and Colorado's Behavioral Health Administration.

Based on clinical specialty, the Medical Director will have a concordant academic appointment within the relevant University of Colorado School of Medicine (CUSOM) department exclusively for academic responsibilities and academic promotion within CUSOM, if desired.

$/yr - $/yr

• Serve as both a respected clinician in the care of patients with eating disorders, and as a strong, people‑focused and mission‑focused leader to ensure all patients being treated at ACUTE receive appropriate, high‑quality medical care.
• Through oversight of and collaboration with the lead hospitalist and other clinical team leaders, including psychiatry, psychology, physical and occupational therapy, nutrition, and social work, ensure outstanding care for all eating disorders patients through the creation, implementation, and regular improvement of evidence‑based clinical care guidelines and policies that support high‑quality, person‑centered care of patients with eating disorders.
• Through multi‑disciplinary collaboration with ACUTE staff and clinicians, ensure that all patients undergoing treatment meet clinical, regulatory, and insurance prerequisites and requirements according to existing clinical care standards, guidelines, and regulations.
• Support primary clinicians and clinical team leaders in their ownership of all clinical decisions related to patient care. Collaborate with, offer guidance to, and - when needed - support primary clinicians and team leaders by serving as final decision‑maker related to highly complex and/or challenging patient care situations.
• Drive operational success of ACUTE, including adequate unit volumes and referrals, exceptional care for patients, strategic growth, necessary internal and external partnerships, and national/international reputation for leadership, research, and innovation in care for patients with complex eating disorders who need inpatient care.
• Be an accessible, present leader who blends strong listening and communication skills with effectiveness resolving conflict, building consensus, and facilitating change necessary to achieve ACUTE’s clinical, operational, and financial goals while creating a culture characterized by strong engagement and trust.
• Serve as an effective leader within ACUTE’s triad leadership model, working closely with the nurse manager and the executive director assigned to the Center to advance ACUTE’s vision and mission. With the other triad leaders, play a central role in recruiting, retaining, and supporting career growth for an outstanding multi‑disciplinary staff.
• Facilitate regular, collaborative communication and problem‑solving between Denver…