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Associate Medical Director, Health Care Services (MD/CQCT)
Thurston County, WA, USA
Posted on Jun 12, 2026
Description
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Associate Medical Director, Health Care Services (MD/CQCT)
71052688
This recruitment is posted continuously. Application review will begin on 6/11/2026 and you are encouraged to submit your application materials as soon as possible. The hiring manager reserves the right to close the posting at any time once a selection has been made.
We are in search of a dynamic health care problem solver for this policy-focused position that is responsible for all clinical decisions made for Apple Health (Medicaid) in the State of Washington. The associate medical director collaborates with agency leadership as well as internal and external partners to provide clinical input in the development of health policy with the aim of improving the lives of those covered by Medicaid. If you are looking for an opportunity to have a significant positive impact on these Washingtonians during a challenging juncture for Medicaid recipients, then consider applying for this opportunity!
All HCA employees will apply an equity lens to their work, which may include but is not limited to all analyses of core business and processes.
About the division:
The Clinical Quality and Care Transformation (CQCT) Division is responsible for designing and implementing clinical policy; conducting oversight, including measuring, monitoring, and improving all clinically-related programs; and communicating and collaborating with stakeholders, providers, plans, and delivery system partners on clinical activities and issues with the goal to provide a single standard of evidence-informed high-quality care.
The CQCT Division is focused on four broad aims working with local, state, and national efforts to improve the quality of health care:
- Better Care: Improve the quality of care, member experience and care delivery.
- Better Health: Improve the health of program members and Washingtonians.
- Lower Trend: Reduce the cost trends of health care for clients, families, Public Employees Benefits (PEB), and State government.
- Improved work life of health providers: Advance system changes to reduce physician burn-out. This effort is sometimes referred to as the quadruple aim.
About the position:
This position provides clinical leadership to lead the state in care quality and transformation and supports the benefit programs administered by HCA. Leadership components include the consideration of health equity initiatives, social determinants of health, provider engagement, patient-centered care models, and value-based purchasing. This position works with public health entities, providers, insurers, and other stakeholders; defines clinical purchasing and funding strategies; aligns resources to goals and strategies; and implements and evaluates the results of clinical leadership efforts. This position supports care transformation, innovation, and value-based care delivery within Apple Health, Medicaid, impacting over 2.5M lives and $21B of annual expenditure.
The Associate Medical Director leads Apple Health's evidence-based clinical policies, Washington's Health Technology Assessment Program (HTAP), and provides clinical leadership for the nine Accountable Communities of Health (ACHs). This position reports directly to the Chief Medical Officer (CMO).
This position is eligible to telework but is frequently required to report on-site to meet business need. The default assigned work location of all Health Care Authority (HCA) positions – both on-site and telework eligible positions – is within the State of Washington. This position reports to Olympia, WA. Frequency of onsite work will vary based on business and operational needs. All agency employees are required to report on-site in Olympia on their first and last days of employment to pick up and return state-issued equipment, regardless of telework status or location.
Duties
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Some of what you will do:
Lead Apple Health clinical strategy
- Lead and support the HCA Health Care Services Section including medical, dental, and DME, and the medical and dental licensed prescribing practitioners.
- Develop, review, and update clinical policies, protocols, and coverage standards based on review of medical literature, the best available evidence, the requirements of the Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS), state law, governor directive, and agency priorities.
- Determine, with the CMO and Quality Measuring Monitoring and Improvement team, the most appropriate measures to assess the quality of care provided.
- Facilitate care transformation efforts within HCA contracted provider systems.
Apple Health Managed Care Measurement, Monitoring and Improvement
- Ensure clinical policies of Medicaid MCOs accurately reflect the intent and expectations of HCA and are implemented consistently across contracted plans so as to reduce practice variation, assure appropriateness of care and improve health equity.
- Collaborate effectively with the Medicaid Program Division, Financial Services Division, and other HCA divisions as appropriate to achieve these ends.
- Review and monitor MCO utilization management programs, case management initiatives, utilization review protocols, clinical components of post-payment review, and prior authorization (PA) policies
Statewide Clinical Collaboration
- Participate in and, as appropriate, lead statewide clinical collaborations, such as those sponsored by the Washington Health Alliance, Bree Collaborative and others, as directed by the CMO.
- Develop and lead clinically-oriented statewide HCA initiatives housed in CQCT.
Evidence-based clinical policy development, implementation and oversight
- Lead the HTAP including topic selection, participating agency engagement, appointment of Health Technology Clinical Committee (HTCC) members, and the functioning of the committee. Participate as a clinical member of the Health Technology Assessment Workgroup.
- Lead the HCA Coverage Parameters team and develop, review, and update clinical policies, as needed.
- Create and implement Apple Health clinical policy.
- Participate as a member of the Washington State Agency Medical Directors Group in the development and implementation of statewide clinical initiatives and/or policies.
- Participate in the Washington State Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee process.
Clinical Program Development, Implementation, and Oversight
- Direct and guide the preparation of short and long-range program strategies and plans for the section.
- Mentor, develop, and coach direct reports to achieve performance standards and development objectives.
- Provides clinical consultation to the Medicaid and CHIP Director on policy and program strategies that improve the health and well-being of Apple Health recipients.
Qualifications
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Required qualifications:
Qualifying candidates will satisfy all of the following criteria:
- Medical degree (MD or DO).
- Licensed to practice medicine in the State of Washington. Licensure must be unrestricted.
- Board certification.
- Five years of clinical experience.
- Four years of high-level administrative experience as a medical officer. Can be obtained concurrently.
Required competencies:
- The ability to take action to learn and grow.
- The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
Preferred qualifications:
- Board certification in primary care specialty.
- Four years of high-level administrative experience as a medical officer, preferably in a managed care organization, ideally working with state-sponsored products.
- Additional business and/or public health-related degrees or training.
- Experience with:
- community or migrant health,
- health equity initiatives,
- social determinants of health,
- provider engagement,
- patient-centered care models, and/or
- value-based purchasing.
How to apply:
Only candidates who reflect the minimum qualifications on their NEOGOV profile will be considered. Failure to follow the application instructions below may lead to disqualification. To apply for this position, you will need to complete your profile which includes three professional references and attach in separate files:
- A cover letter that specifically addresses how you meet the qualifications for this position
- Current resume
To take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following:
- Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 long-form copy), NGB 22, or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
- Please black out any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers. Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.
Supplemental Information
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About HCA:
Functioning as both the state's largest health care purchaser and its behavioral health authority, the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is a leader in ensuring Washington residents have the opportunity to be as healthy as possible.
There are three pillars of our work: Apple Health (Medicaid); the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) and School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) programs; and behavioral health and recovery. Under these pillars, HCA purchases health care, including behavioral health treatment for more than 2.7 million Washington residents and provides behavioral health prevention, crisis, and recovery supports to all Washington residents.
What we have to offer:
- Meaningful work with friendly co-workers who care about those we serve Voices of HCA
- A clear agency mission that drives our work and is person-centered HCA's Mission, Vision & Values
- A healthy work/life balance, including alternative/flexible schedules and mobile work options.
- A great total compensation and benefit package WA State Government Benefits
- A safe, pleasant workplace in a convenient location with restaurants, and shopping nearby.
- And free parking!
Notes:
Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment.
HCA is an equal opportunity employer. We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included, and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency. HCA has five employee resource groups (ERGs). ERGs are voluntary, employee-led groups whose aim is to foster a diverse, inclusive workplace aligned with HCA’s mission. Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace. Studies have shown women, racial and ethnic minorities, and persons of disability are less likely to apply for jobs unless they feel they meet every qualification as described in a job description. Persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans, as well as people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are also encouraged to apply. If you have any questions about the required qualifications or how your experience relates to them, please contact us at HCAjobs@hca.wa.gov. Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact Jake Nelko at 360-725-0945 or jake.nelko@hca.wa.gov.
The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is an E-Verify employer. All applicants with a legal right to work in the United States are encouraged to apply.
E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
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