As the leader of the health team, the Health Director will be responsible for delivering exceptional health-related services to the citizens of Samish. This includes implementing health-related services including substance use disorder and mental health, managing staff, overseeing health grants, budgets, and contracts, maintaining health-related policies, ensuring department regulatory compliance, and attending necessary meetings with partners and agencies. The Health Director will work in close collaboration with the Essential Services Senior Director to make program recommendations to the Tribal Council and Executive Team, and to implement all Tribal Council approved health-related services.

Why work for Samish?

The Samish Indian Nation provides a very competitive compensation package, which includes medical, dental, vision, STD/LTD, Life Insurance, optional supplemental coverage plans, a 401(k) Plan, paid vacation and sick leave, and approximately 16 paid holidays. Best of all, we offer a great environment with passionate and caring staff!

Benefits Summary

• Remote/Hybrid Work Arrangement potential
• Health insurance including medical, dental & vision
• Life, AD&D, STD and LTD insurance
• Annual & Sick Leave
  
• Paid holidays (up to 16+ days per year)
• Paid jury, bereavement & cultural leave
• Wellness & Employee Assistance Plan
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Wage increases at 6 months, 1 year and annually (based on performance evaluation and available funds)

Supervisory Responsibilities:

1. Oversee the Health Department, services, and activities while providing effective oversight of personnel and delegating task and duties as appropriate 
2. Provide high level mentoring and supervision to direct reports ensuring all are supported while fostering strong relationship-building and career growth within the Samish Indian Nation 
3. Foster a team-oriented, supportive work environment while providing clear expectations and accountability including effective communication 
4. Coordinate with Human Resources and COO in the hiring of staff; handling of personnel issues; and updating job descriptions 

 Key Areas of Responsibility 

1. Streamline efforts of programs and refine process where appropriate utilizing best business practice and collaborating with other departments developing and implementing business process
2. Review all Health services including substance use disorder and mental health ensuring oversight of approvals such as emergency room visits and preauthorization of elective care by tribally defined health priorities
3. Maintain responsibility of approval or denial of prospective, concurrent, or retrospective utilization of health care services
4. Manage all grants, Tyee funding, and contracts to ensure regulatory compliance, prepare and maintain all Health Department budgets, grant applications, deliverables, and reporting requirements
5. Oversee Health contracts such as Samish Formulary and consultants
6. Attends relevant program meetings, program training and conferences as needed and within the allowable budget(s)
7. Collect, interpret, and disseminate statistical information relative to health programs; provide written reports to the Essential Services Senior Director, Chief Operations Officer and Tribal Council; and for publication in the tribal newsletter and on the webpage
8. Ensures strict confidentiality and HIPAA compliance regarding all patient information
9. Serves as the HIPAA Privacy Officer for the Tribe
10. Performs other duties as assigned
    

Leadership

1. Work with Executive Team to design and implement Tribal Council approved health-related services including substance use disorder and mental health and programs ensuring that best practices are implemented
2. Identify any statutory and regulatory changes needed, develop a change management plan, and forward the change management efforts to the Leadership Team for review and approval including Tribal Council resolutions, when appropriate
3. Work collaboratively with the Health Committee on directives from Tribal Council including updates to health related policies
4. Provide Tribal Council with health related budgets for Tyee funding
5. Update Tribal Council and Executive Team on all changes or recommendations of Health Services Priority List

 External Relations  

1. Monitor state and federal level policy and regulatory changes that impact areas of responsibility. 
2. Regularly review and analyze tribal policies and procedures for compliance that impact areas of responsibility with federal and state requirements and make recommendations for revision as appropriate 
3. Give guidance and recommendations to Leadership, on tribal response to local, state, and federal initiatives and issues 
4. Must attend relevant to area of responsibilities any public, government, and special interest meetings, conferences, and negotiations for the betterment of Samish Indian Nation. 
5. Maintain positive relations with community members; local, state, regional, and federal entities; and others to accomplish tribal objectives and preserve/promote good public relations 
6. Perform other related duties, as required in order to meet business needs 

 The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by a person in this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties that may be performed in such a position.

1. Bachelor's degree Required, (master’s degree preferred) in Public Health, Nursing, Health Administration including substance use disorder and mental health, Public Administration
2. Minimum of five years experience in health administration or management of health services
3. Documented oral and written communication and problem-solving experience
4. Knowledge of Indian Health Services policies and procedures related to the operation of multiple patient care service area
5. Knowledge of the disease processes, health care principles and treatment intervention strategies. Demonstrated knowledge of allopathic medical theories and treatments
6. Knowledge of professional nursing care principles, practices, and procedures to assess patient care
7. Knowledge and skill in meeting multi-faceted psychosocial patient care needs
8. Must have proven leadership/supervisory skills
9. The individual in this position must possess exceptional skills to effectively manage a wide range of health services.
10. Knowledge, skills, and experience in systems-thinking and system improvement process
11. Organized work habits which will assure timely and accurate submission of reports, grant requests, budgets and other time sensitive materials
12. Leadership ability to produce positive results with funding agencies, contractors, attorneys and other key personnel
13. Ability to set priorities as directed by the Tribal Council
14. Thorough knowledge of quality assurance requirements as established by the Joint Commission for Accreditation of Health Care Organization (JCAHO) and Health Care Finance Administration (HCFA)

 Desired Qualifications:

1. National Certification as a Medical Doctor or Family Nurse Practitioner
2. Master's Degree in Public Health, Nursing or MD
3. At least one year of experience in Tribal or Public Health management or administration
4. Functional knowledge of the RPMS system
5. Valid license to practice medicine in Washington State

**Obtaining full COVID-19 vaccination no later than 60 days from the hire date will be a condition of employment for all Samish employees**

Applicants must be a Washington State resident or willing to relocate to Washington State.

Physical Demands: Long periods of sitting (60% of time); occasional bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, lifting, carrying, and pushing (20% of time); and occasional standing and walking (20% of time). Occasionally lifts/carries up to 20lbs. Must possess manual dexterity sufficient to use office equipment with frequent repetitive motion such as writing, typing, cash-handling, and phone use. Must possess the ability to view print on a computer screen and/or paper document; the ability to speak and hear exchanging information with end users by telephone Mental/Visual Demands: Frequent mental and/or visual attention to task is required. Occasionally work requires heavy concentration. Frequent interruptions. Tasks involve eye-hand coordination. Working Environment: Work environment is mainly indoors with heat and some air conditioning. Must sit or stand at desk for the majority of shift. Unavoidable hazards/risks: Work requires minimal risks which require safety precautions (using some cleaning chemicals for light cleaning). Protective clothing or equipment may be required (goggles, gloves, masks, boots, etc.)

Samish Indian Nation is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively encourages applications from all persons regardless of race, religion, gender, gender identity, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, or ancestry.  Samish preference and Indian preference will be applied to the selection for this position as defined in Title 25, US Code Section 473.

CONFIDENTIALITY:  This position develops, maintains, and is responsible for safeguarding the computer/electronic and hardcopy file folders containing sensitive and proprietary information about the Tribe and its members.  The incumbent must maintain confidentiality of all work and files pertaining to enrollment, clients, survey results, and all other material that may identify individuals by name (either directly or by reference), as set forth by the Tribal Council in the Personnel Manual.  Any violation in this matter may result in immediate termination of employment.

 Please state your eligibility for Indian preference in your cover letter.  Indian preference must be documented prior to interview or hiring.  BIA Form 4432 or tribal enrollment ID may be submitted with the application if claiming Indian Preference.

All persons who are offered employment with the Samish Indian Nation must give permission for a thorough background check of previous work performance, motor vehicle history, credit history and criminal history, as well as a pre-employment drug screen.

This position is a “covered position” under the Tribe’s Indian Child and Family Violence Act Policy and all applicants must undergo a fingerprint background investigation in order to be hired for this position.  The Tribe will not hire, permit anyone to work or volunteer in a covered position if the person has ever been found guilty or entered a plea of no contest or guilty to any offense under federal, state, or Tribal law which involves violence, threat of violence, sexual assault, molestation, exploitation, prostitution, crimes against persons, or offenses committed against children.