Associate Medical Director
1/13/2026
The Associate Medical Director provides leadership and direction to medical providers, ensuring adherence to guidelines and performance standards. They also participate in the development of the Medical Program and provide professional medical services to patients.
Salary
235081.6 - 293883.2 USD
Working Hours
40 hours/week
Company Size
201-500 employees
Language
English
Visa Sponsorship
No
Description
Compensation:
- Salary, exempt
- The standard wage range for this role is:
-Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant: $167,190.40-$208,998.40 per year
-Physician: $235,081.60-$293,883.20 per year
- It may be possible to earn more over time up to:
-Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant: $250,785.60 per year
-Physician: $352,664.00 per year
Work Schedule:
- Monday-Friday shifts
- Occasional Saturdays may be available
Who We Are
Unity Care NW is a private, non-profit, federally qualified health center (FQHC) that has been proudly and successfully serving the greater Whatcom County area since 1982. With clinics located in Bellingham & Ferndale, we offer comprehensive primary medical, behavioral health and dental care, as well as pharmacy services to a diverse and often underserved patient population of all ages. Employing over 300 caring and compassionate employees, our mission is to increase the years of healthy life in the people & communities we serve.
What We Value
- Respect
- Integrity
- Accountability
- Collaboration
- Innovation
We have an inclusive culture and strive to demonstrate our Values in Action in all that we do. We value each individual on our team and aim to onboard a diverse workforce of the very best talent, whose ambitions and values align with ours.
Job Summary
Our medical clinics provide primary & preventive health care to people of all ages. As a medical home, we're committed to a patient-centered care team model that engages patients & their families in their care. We integrate behavioral health services with medical care for a more holistic approach, and we provide case management to help patients access other community resources they need to be healthy. With an onsite pharmacy, providers can work closely with pharmacy staff to make filling prescriptions faster & easier, and dental services are also onsite to fulfill patients' dental needs.
The Associate Medical Director duties include:
1. Provides overall leadership and direction to Providers as listed below, in collaboration with and under the guidance of the Medical Director:
a. Determines the most effective method for assigning responsibilities and duties to Providers.
b. Ensures Providers receive instruction/training needed to successfully complete their assigned job responsibilities.
c. Ensures that Providers are aware of, and adhere to, appropriate guidelines, standards, policies, and procedures.
d. Monitors individual Provider performance using company performance standards and addresses issues as needed.
e. Represents the department at all appropriate senior leadership meetings, if requested.
f. Contributes to the development and maintenance of the departmental budget; monitors ongoing budgetary compliance and addresses problems as needed.
g. Participates in oversight of departmental performance measures within the appropriate levels as required by strategic and operational plans.
h. Prepares and conducts performance appraisals for Providers, including establishment and implementation of developmental plans.
i. Participates in hiring, promotion, and corrective actions and terminations.
2. Partners with the Medical Director in leading the Medical Program:
a. By putting our values into practice, this role contributes to the long-term sustainability of the Medical Program and UCNW, helping to ensure a clear vision for the future.
b. Serves as a member of the Medical Leadership team, participating in the process of and contributing to Medical Program decision making and implementation of initiatives.
c. Along with other Medical Leaders, develops strategic and operational plans for the Medical Program.
d. Participates in developing and implementing operating plans for the Medical Program, aligning them with organization-wide goals and objectives.
e. Provides guidance, mentoring and coaching and support to peers, as necessary.
f. Assists in development of clinical policies, procedures, and protocols as requested.
g. Facilitates/leads projects as delegated.
3. Provides professional medical services to patients in conformity with clinic guidelines and protocols and state and federal laws:
a. Examines, diagnoses, develops, and carries out treatment plans for patients.
b. Provides preventative and maintenance care, including providing appropriate prescriptions for medications.
c. Refers patients to specialty care providers, as necessary.
d. Provides immediate treatment of medical emergencies.
e. Performs procedures that they are credentialed for.
f. Completes all documentation within required parameters and time frames.
g. Communicates and collaborates with other team members to plan and coordinate care.
h. Participates in peer review and quality improvement activities.
i. Prescribes controlled substances in line with clinical protocol, State, and Federal regulations.
What We Offer
- A friendly and collaborative team environment
- A competitive compensation package
- Ongoing, in-house leadership training
- 1-on-1 executive coaching with our Organizational Development Specialist
- A unique call schedule providing phone consultation to 3rd parties only-–no patient call
- A robust orientation followed by a gradual ramp-up period
- Support staff in the areas of nursing, behavioral health, medical records, EMR/IT, case management, referrals, insurance enrollment & an onsite pharmacy
Loan Repayment Application Opportunities
Watch our video at UCNW Loan Repayment Program to learn more about loan repayment opportunities at UCNW.
- Employment at UCNW counts towards eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness – details can be viewed at Federal Student Aid.
- Eligible providers may apply for loan repayment through the National Health Service Corps (NHSC Loan Repayment Program | NHSC (hrsa.gov)), Washington Student Achievement Council (Washington Health Corps | WSAC) &/or Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program (Apply to the Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program | Bureau of Health Workforce (hrsa.gov))
Generous Benefits Including:
- Medical, dental & vision insurance
- 401(K) retirement plan with employer match after 1 year of eligibility
- 6 paid holidays
- Paid Time Off (160 hours 1st year, 208 hours 2nd year, increasing at Year 5 & Year 10 thereafter)
- Other paid leaves including: Bereavement, Jury Duty & Bone Marrow & Organ Transplant
- Life/AD&D insurance
- Optional insurances including: Supplementary Life/AD&D, Short Term and Long-Term Disability, Critical Illness, Accident, Travel & Identity Theft Protection
- Flexible spending account
- Self-funded Health Savings Account on Base Medical Insurance Plan
- Employee Assistance Program
- Alternative Transportation Incentives
- Healthy Living reimbursement
- Unique programs including Medical Hardship Payroll Loans, Employee Referral Bonuses & Will preparation services
- Malpractice insurance through the Federal Torts Claims Act with tail coverage
- Continuing Education (days & funds)
- Reimbursement of state license, DEA & board certification fees
- Sabbatical Leave accrual
Requirements
- Graduate from an accredited school of medicine with a M.D. (Doctor of Medicine) or D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) degree and successful completion of a 3-year accredited residency; or
- Graduate of an accredited school that allows you to become licensed by the Washington State Department of Health as an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) or Physician Assistant (PA)
- Active License as a Physician, Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP), or Physician Assistant (PA) in the state of Washington (or eligible to obtain a WA State license) and in good standing with the state board for each state license
- Board-certified in applicable field
- Active Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration for Schedules 2, 2N, 3, 3N, 4 and 5 with no restrictions
- Ability to travel for training, collaboration with other organizations & agencies, oversight of satellite clinics, and to other areas of community, as necessary
Technical Skills
- Full scope of adult and pediatric primary care.
- Knowledge of federal, state, and other applicable standards for clinical practice.
- Ability to make patient-related medical decisions on an hourly/daily basis.
- Ability to provide leadership/guidance in a supervisory role and the flexibility to function as a team member at the management level.
- Excellent managerial & supervisory skills with the ability to plan/organize and follow through in a timely manner.
- Ability to work collaboratively with diverse individuals and situations, including strong problem solving and conflict resolution skill
- Ability to maintain strict confidentiality with medical information and conform to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations.
- Experience working with diverse and underserved populations and practicing cultural competency.
- Ability to work both independently and as a team in a fast-paced, medical office environment with frequent interruptions, occasional public contact, and occasional crisis situations.
- Must be able to follow all UCNW protocols, including those related to clinic administration, patient care, and completion of timely chart notes.
- Ability to understand and respond appropriately, effectively, and sensitively to special population groups served by UCNW. Special population groups include those defined by race, ethnicity, language, age, sex, sexual orientation, economic standing, and others.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office programs (Outlook, Word, Excel, SharePoint, PowerPoint) and other software programs related to Electronic Health Records, payroll, Human Resources, scheduling, training, reporting and video conferencing.
Preferred Qualifications
- 3 or more years of clinical experience in a primary healthcare setting, with progressively responsible administrative or management-related positions, preferably in a community health center serving patients with complex co-morbidities and diverse and underserved populations.
Candidates who meet the requirements who have applicable experience or similar qualifications are encouraged to apply!
About Ferndale:
Set amidst lush farmland on the Nooksack River with a commanding view of Mount Baker, Ferndale’s 15,000+ residents pride themselves on their relaxed, small-town friendliness and affordable quality of life. Ferndale’s convenient location in Whatcom County on the I-5 corridor is just 15 minutes away from our main site in beautiful downtown Bellingham, a popular university & retirement community of 90,000+ nestled on Bellingham Bay at the foot of the Cascade Mountains. Just a short distance from Seattle, Vancouver BC, and the San Juan Islands, Whatcom County houses several charming small towns. Enjoy all the area has to offer:
- Recreational & Outdoor Activities (Hiking, Biking, Skiing, Snow Boarding, Fishing, Sailing, Kayaking, & Camping)
- Excellent Schools (University, Community College, Technical School, & Outstanding K-12 Educational System)
- Small Town or City Living (Unique Shops, Local Festivals, Farmers Markets, Berry Picking, & Community Events)
- Cultural Activities (Theater, Music, Independent Films, Museums, Art Studios, & Diverse Local Restaurants)
To Apply
Visit our Careers Page at www.unitycarenw.org or contact Vicki Curtis, Provider Recruiter, at hr@ucnw.org or 360-788-2661. For news on our organization & future job postings, please follow us on LinkedIn at https://bit.ly/363mfhv!
If you feel this job posting is missing any required compensation or benefit information, please contact HR@ucnw.org. Other questions can be addressed throughout the recruitment process for candidates selected to move forward.
Unity Care NW has an Employee Health Program for the safety of our patients and staff. The program requires all new employees to have up to date vaccines for influenza and strongly encourages up to date vaccines for COVID-19. More information about this program is provided throughout the recruitment process.
Please let Unity Care NW know you found this job on InterviewPal. This helps us grow!
We scan and aggregate real interview questions reported by candidates across thousands of companies. This role already has a tailored question set waiting for you.
Generate a resume, cover letter, or prepare with our AI mock interviewer tailored to this job's requirements.