Chief Medical Officer

Company: Neighborhood Healthcare
Location: Escondido
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

ABOUT US: Community health is about more than just vaccines and checkups. It’s about giving people the resources they need to live their best lives. At Neighborhood, this is our vision. A community where everyone is healthy and happy. We’re with you every step of the way, with the care you need for each of life’s chapters. At Neighborhood, we are Better Together. As a private, non-profit 501(C) (3) community health organization, we serve over 500,000 medical, dental, and behavioral health visits from more than 100,000 people annually. We do this in pursuit of our mission to improve the health and happiness of the communities we serve by providing quality care to all, regardless of situation or circumstance. We have been doing this since 1969 and it is our employees that make this mission a reality. Regardless of the role, our team focuses on being compassionate, having integrity, being professional, always collaborating, and consistently going above and beyond. If that sounds like an organization you want to be a part of, we would love to have you. ROLE OVERVIEW and PURPOSE The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) serves as a key member of the executive leadership team and is responsible for the clinical vision, quality, and performance of Neighborhood Healthcare’s medical services. This role oversees all aspects of care delivery across two primary business units: Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC), governed by HRSA Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), governed by CMS and DHCS The CMO drives integration of medical, behavioral health, dental, nursing, and ancillary services across the care continuum. This position provides strategic oversight of provider performance, regulatory compliance, quality improvement, population health, and workforce development to ensure patient-centered, and value-based care. RESPONSIBILITIES Executive & Clinical Leadership Serves as the senior clinical leader and strategic advisor to the CEO and executive peers Directs and supports Medical, Behavioral Health, and Nursing leadership across both FQHC and PACE programs Oversee a clinical leadership team including Associate CMO, Medical Leaders, and Directors of Nursing a Collaborates with the COO, CNO, CFO, CHRO, and CIO to align care model with operational and financial goals Clinical Quality, Compliance & Risk Develop and oversee clinical protocols, quality improvement programs, and risk mitigation strategies Ensures compliance with HRSA, CMS, DHCS, and other state/federal regulatory requirements Leads peer review, utilization review, and population health strategies Monitors quality metrics, HEDIS benchmarks, value-based care performance, and patient safety indicators Coordinates with legal and insurance partners on malpractice and risk management Provider Oversight & Development Leads recruitment, onboarding, evaluation, and development of all medical providers Establishes clinical productivity, quality performance, and patient satisfaction expectations and supports performance management across departments Monitors and promotes clinician satisfaction Oversees CME planning, provider satisfaction, mentorship, and training programs Conducts regular provider meetings to support policy implementation and build clinical community Managed Care, Utilization & Strategic Initiatives Collaborates with MSOs and health plans on value-based contracts and performance targets Leads implementation of utilization management, care coordination, and chronic disease management strategies Supports integration of medical, behavioral health, and nursing services into holistic care teams Participates in strategic planning and organizational growth initiatives including clinical site expansion and specialty service development Community & Academic Partnerships Represent Neighborhood Healthcare in clinical, governmental, and community settings Builds partnerships with training programs and universities to support workforce pipeline Provides board-level reporting on clinical outcomes, provider trends, and regulatory standing Direct Patient Care (as applicable) Provides direct clinical care on a limited basis to maintain licensure and system awareness Serves as a clinical backup and consultative resource to providers and site staff QUALIFICATIONS (Education & Experience) MD or DO, with active and unrestricted California license required and maintained as a condition of employment Board certification in Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, OB/Gyn, Geriatrics, or related field required 10 years in clinical practice required 5 years in a senior medical leadership role required Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification though an American Heart Association (AHA)- Approved source is required upon hire and must be maintained as a condition of employment. AHA- approved courses include an in-person, hands-on skills check with a certified instructor using a mannequin to demonstrate CPR and emergency response techniques. Online-only BLS courses without a live skills check do not meet this requirement. Experience overseeing multidisciplinary teams across medical, dental, behavioral health, and nursing strongly preferred Direct experience working within or with FQHCs and/or PACE programs preferred ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities) Strong understanding of value-based care, managed care models, and risk-based arrangements Familiarity with NCQA, HRSA OSVs, CMS audits, and UDS clinical reporting Excellence demonstrated in clinical care Excellent leadership, communication, and coaching skills Proven ability to build trust and influence across disciplines Competence with data analysis and electronic health records (e.g., NextGen, Epic) Ability to lead change management and continuous quality improvement efforts Strong knowledge of California and federal healthcare regulations, including Title XXII, XVI, and 42 CFR Physical Requirements Ability to sit, stand, and use a computer for extended periods May be required to lift or carry up to 20 pounds occasionally Regular travel to all neighborhood healthcare clinic locations, conferences, and external meetings COMPLIANCE (Safety & HIPAA) Follow all safety procedures as outlined in Neighborhood Healthcare’s Illness and Injury Prevention Plan (IIPP) and report any injuries and/or unsafe conditions immediately Maintain current knowledge of policies and procedures as they relate to safe work practices Follow all safety procedures and report unsafe conditions Use appropriate body mechanics to ensure an injury free environment Be familiar with location of nearest fire extinguisher and emergency exits Follow all infection control procedures including blood-borne pathogen protocols Maintain privacy of all patients, employee and volunteer information and access such information only on a need-to-know basis for business purposes Comply with all regulations regarding corporate integrity and security obligations Report all behavior and/or activity that are unethical, fraudulent, or unlawful Pay Range: $366,300-$622,600 annually, depending on experience Compensation Disclosure: The posted salary range reflects the designated pay grade for this position. While this range represents the broader classification of the role, actual compensation will be based on several factors, including but not limited to: the candidate’s overall knowledge, skills, and experience, market data and industry benchmarks, internal equity within the organization, Budgetary considerations and organizational needs. As a result, placement within the range is not guaranteed, and the full pay grade range may not be utilized.

Keywords: Neighborhood Healthcare, La Quinta , Chief Medical Officer, Healthcare , Escondido, California