The director of medical staff services’ role defined

In last week's column, I wrote about the collaboration that is necessary between medical staff leaders and medical staff professionals to support the medical staff organization.  I offered to provide a sample job description for a director of medical staff services.  The sample job description generated a lot of interest and it seemed appropriate to provide information on this subject to all the readers of this column.

 It should be understood that the medical staff services department (MSSD-this may also be called the "medical staff office") is the tactical department that supports medical staff organization activities.  Medical staff organization activities include credentialing, privileging, quality improvement activities, medical staff organization governance, etc.  The MSSD may not be responsible for providing all services needed (the quality management department is usually responsible for supporting quality improvement activities, peer review, etc.), but it is the MSSD that assures that all necessary activities are supported and coordinated with key medical staff leaders.

Here is a summary of a job description for a director, medical staff services (DMSS):

The DMSS provides leadership, management and operational oversight of medical staff organization (MSO) support services.  The DMSS works collaboratively with the president of the MSO, the medical executive committee (MEC), and additional medical staff leaders (appointed, elected, volunteer, and paid, such as department chairs, committee chairs, etc.) to plan, organize, direct and coordinate the programs and activities of the MSO to ensure that the strategies of the MSO are supported and attained goals and plans are realized, and there is adherence to the requirements of regulatory and accreditation bodies that are relevant to the organized medical staff.

Major Responsibilities

Administration/Management

• Plans, formulates, and recommends for approval of the MEC the policies, procedures, programs and other strategies which will further the objectives and requirements of the MSO (i.e., takes initiative in planning and formulating strategies and plans).
• Coordinates and maintains MSO "governance documents" such as medical staff bylaws, rules and regulations, related documents (organization and functions manual, credentials policy, etc.), and policies and procedures of the MSO.  Assures that there is review of existing policies and governance documents on a regular basis and recommends changes to the MEC as appropriate.
• Coordinates implementation all approved programs, projects, and major activities of the MSO.
• Provides resources to MSO leaders to assist them in carrying out their responsibilities.
• Carries out specific tasks assigned by the MEC and/or the president of the medical staff.
• Oversees the planning, implementation, execution, and evaluation of special projects.

Additional responsibilities include:

• environmental surveillance
• communication
• practitioner database
• meeting coordination/management
• practitioner competency systems (initial appointment, reappointment, clinical privileging systems, etc.)

The ideal qualifications and experience for a DMSS includes management experience, communication skills, critical thinking and analytical skills, ability to work strategically, and experience in database management.  Additionally, of course, the ideal candidate should possess comprehensive expertise and knowledge of medical staff organization management, including regulatory and accreditation requirements, credentialing, privileging, peer review, etc.  Certification (as a CPMSM or CPCS) shows that the candidate is serious about obtaining and maintaining knowledge related to credentialing, accreditation requirements, etc.

Today's message is that your organization must seek and obtain qualified support for medical staff organization activities.  Without appropriate support, the work of the medical staff organization will be difficult, if not impossible, to achieve, and medical staff leaders will be frustrated.

Vicki L. Searcy, CPMSM
Practice Director, Credentialing & Privileging
The Greeley Company