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Tribal Healthcare Systems and Education Director - Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (Job)

Description:

The Tribal Healthcare Systems and Education Director (THSED) is a senior leader responsible for the overall management and strategic direction of the Clinical Support Services Division (Clinical Division) at the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (NPAIHB). The THSED ensures that the Clinical Division works in service to the 43 federally recognized tribes Idaho, Oregon, and Washington by meeting Division goals in alignment with NPAIHB’s 2025-2030 Strategic Plan, by ensuring operational efficiency and fiscal compliance, and by fostering a positive and productive work environment. The THSED serves as leader and central resource for technical assistance, training, management, and quality assurance, along with leading the supervision of all NPAIHB’s Clinical Division programs, projects, and services. Key responsibilities include team leadership, program development and implementation, critical communication, strategic planning, financial management, and performance oversight.

The THSED reports directly to the Director of Programs and Development and serves as a member of the Management Team.

This position is based at NPAIHB’s offices in Portland, Oregon; the option of teleworking may be available with approval from the Executive Director. Local travel and/or overnight travel outside of the area is required approximately 20% of the time.

Essential Functions

Clinical Support and Prevention Services Division Excellence and Success

  • Ensures that NPAIHB’s Clinical Support Programs are developed with input and direction from Northwest Tribes
  • Ensures that NPAIHB’s Clinical Support Division achieves performance deliverables and objectives set forth in contracts with Tribes and funding partners and in the NPAIHB 2025-2030 Strategic Plan
  • Works with Indian Health Service (IHS), federal, and state agencies to support, monitor and protect the Indian Healthcare system, with a focus on IHS and tribal clinics
  • Oversees the Clinical Division’s planning, implementation, and evaluation of comprehensive clinical tribal health and education programs. This may include, for example, a focus on health promotion and education, behavioral health, dental, clinic support, and provider development, education, and support
  • Oversees the Clinical Division’s delivery of high-quality, culturally responsive, and tailored programs and services to Northwest Tribes
Monitors and reports on Clinical Division accomplishments, workload trends and needs, and unmet needs
  • Supports Northwest Tribes in the development of clinical services and public health policies, procedures, regulations, employee training programs, and public education materials
  • Serves as a technical advisor to Northwest Tribes, as requested, on clinical and prevention support services
  • Serves as Principal Investigator on research grant proposals, as applicable
  • Formulates and interprets clinical, public health, prevention, and behavioral health policy, data, and systems to enhance health outcomes
  • Strengthens the field of tribal public health in partnership with Northwest Tribes
  • Establishes and maintains relationships with federal and state partners and Northwest Tribes.

Serves as a Member of the NPAIHB Management Team*

  • Provides organizational leadership, problem-solving, planning, advocacy, teamwork, and critical communications to NPAIHB staff
  • Creates and maintains a culture of professional excellence, integrity, and rigor
Builds, in partnership with the Management Team, organizational strategies and policies to make efficient use of all human and financial resources, integrate programs services, and uphold the fiduciary responsibility of NPAIHB
  • Provides updates to the Executive Director and/or Board of Directors and its Committees as requested by the Executive Director or the Director of Programs and Development
  • Represents the NPAIHB and its Clinical Support and Prevention Services Division at tribal, state, and national meetings, conferences, events, and workgroups
  • Assists with special projects as assigned by the Executive Director or designee.
  • *Upon completion of Probationary period (see "Qualifications")

Supervisory Responsibilities

  • Supervises seven (7) Project Directors/Managers across NPAIHB’s clinical and prevention programs: Indian Country ECHO, Northwest Tribal Dental Support Center, Northwest Tribal Community Health Provider Project (CHAP), Tribal Opioid Response (TOR), Tribal Health Response InVolves Everyone (Thrive), and Behavioral Health activities
  • Leads Division-level quality improvement initiatives to strengthen programs and services, maximize performance, and meet the needs and priorities of Member Tribes and NPAIHB Delegates/Board of Directors.
  • Promotes collaboration and learning between all NPAIHB Division projects, partners, and funding agencies to meet grant and organizational goals and objectives
  • Evaluates staff performance and ensures that individual employee development plans result in a Clinical Division which is equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to accomplish their jobs and meet NPAIHB’s strategic goals
  • Ensures that Clinical Division staff comply with organizational policies and applicable laws, rules, regulations, and standards
  • Provides direction, consultation, and support to Clinical Division staff regarding issues related to the implementation of programs, policies, procedures, priorities, and/or personnel concerns
  • Receives, resolves, and reports to Director of Programs and Development any concerns or complaints related to Clinical Division services or staff
  • Ensures quality assurance and quality control over the collection, tracking, and analysis of Tribal data
  • Upholds the principles of Tribal Data Sovereignty
  • Ensures human subjects protections and Institutional Review Board (IRB) compliance meets or exceeds standards for clinical- and prevention-based research, surveillance, and evaluation
  • Promotes manuscript publication among NPAIHB staff and in collaboration with Northwest Tribes
  • Works in collaboration Director of Programs and Development and Human Resources on staff hiring and staff disciplinary procedures, as needed.

Administrative and Reporting Functions

  • Oversees all Clinical Division budgets
  • Oversees the Clinical Division’s preparation and submission of all grant, project or activity reports and/or updates
  • Drafts and/or reviews project-related external contracts

Other Duties

  • Oversees submission of Clinical Division’s articles for publication and external communication
  • Performs other duties as assigned by the Director of Programs and Development and/or Executive Director or designee.

Skills/Eligibility:

Education

Minimum education required:

  • PhD in Public Health, Behavioral Health, Social Science or related field
  • Master’s degree in public health, behavioral health, health care administration or a related field will be considered with 15 years or more of experience

Additional experience preferred:

Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP)

Experience

Minimum experience required:

  • Ten (10) or more years of experience with executive and project management
  • At least five (5) years of professional experience working with Tribes, Tribal Organizations, or Tribal health clinics
  • Working knowledge of the laws, rules, and regulations relating to Indian health at local, state and federal level, including legislative processes

Additional experience preferred:

  • Direct experience working with Northwest Tribes
  • Experience in the planning, organization, implementation, and follow-up of public health-related coalitions
  • Experience with health care administration.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Demonstrated knowledge, discretion, tact, judgment, and overall ability in working effectively with federal, Tribal, and other professionals, and facilitating participation and partnership in the activities of the Clinical Support and Prevention Services Division and the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, Indian Health Care Improvement Act, and other relevant laws, regulations, policies and rules related to Indian Health.
  • Proficiency with computer applications (specifically Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other Microsoft Office Suite programs)
  • Strong technical writing skills, including good spelling and grammatical skills, and the ability to produce polished writing under a deadline
  • Excellent research and analysis skills
  • Excellent interpersonal skills
  • Must be sensitive to cross-cultural differences, and able to work effectively within their context
  • Ability to work with minimal supervision, exercise initiative, and make independent decisions and recommendations
  • Ability to make professional oral presentations in settings at the national, regional, and community levels, as well as in Tribal settings
  • Ability to complete tasks in a timely and accurate manner
  • Ability to travel occasionally (approximately 20% of the time)