What are the responsibilities and job description for the Chief Operating Officer position at Southeast Healthcare?
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) provides strategic and operational leadership for a dynamic, mission driven healthcare organization. The COO partners closely with the CEO and the executive leadership team to ensure the delivery of high-quality, patient-centered, and financially sustainable healthcare services.
This role oversees day-to-day operations across clinical and support service lines, ensuring regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and alignment with the organization’s mission to serve underserved and vulnerable populations.
Responsibilities:
- Provide executive oversight of QI, IT, Grants and Operations departments.
- Ensure effective workflows and patient contact standards.
- Lead continuous quality improvement and performance management initiatives.
- Monitor metrics including access, patient experience, provider contact hours, revenue cycle, and operational efficiency.
- Ensure compliance with FQHC requirements, including HRSA regulations and UDS reporting.
- Maintain readiness for audits, site visits, and accreditation reviews, including The Joint Commission.
- Oversee compliance and quality team to mitigate risk and ensure adherence to federal and state regulations.
- Support implementation of strategic initiatives, service line expansion, and new site development.
- Identify opportunities to improve access, integration (behavioral health, SUD, primary care), and care coordination.
- Foster data-driven decision-making and technology optimization (EHR, population health tools).
- Master’s degree in business, psychology, social work, nursing or related field required.
- 7–10 years of progressive leadership experience in healthcare operations.
- Demonstrated experience in an FQHC, community health center, or healthcare setting.
- Strong knowledge of HRSA/FQHC regulations.
- Experience with accreditation, ideally Joint Commission.
- Strong business and IT background with an understanding of clinical operations.
- Proven ability to manage multi-site operations and large interdisciplinary teams.
- Familiarity with payors and reimbursement systems in the healthcare environment.
- Experience with integrated care models.
- Experience working with county mental health and recovery boards, as well as organizational reporting requirements.
- LISW/PCC strongly preferred
As a healthcare provider, Southeast Healthcare is a non-smoking employer. Staff members are required to be vaccinated for the flu (medical and religious exemptions may be requested during the hiring process).
EOE Statement: We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, genetic information, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by law.