In most hospitals, the chief medical officer, also known as a CMO, is the physician in charge. This person must have a medical degree and be able to practice medicine, but they should also have prior management experience. This position’s main responsibilities include supervising all doctors and ensuring that patients are safe and well cared for. A CMO is not usually required to provide direct medical care to patients, but he should be able to do so because he is frequently responsible for training new doctors and may be required to exercise medical judgment in certain situations. This person serves as a liaison between doctors and hospital executives in general.
An advanced degree in medicine and a license to practice are two of the most important requirements for this type of job, but not just any doctor will suffice. A chief medical officer is also expected to have management training and experience, so business sense is usually required. Because doctors look to this person for guidance, it’s a leadership position, so previous leadership experience is beneficial. Furthermore, communication and interpersonal skills are frequently required because the CMO must be able to communicate with doctors from all fields and frequently interact with department managers, patients, and top executives.
One of the chief medical officer’s main responsibilities is to ensure that doctors are providing the best possible care to patients. This person is responsible for informing new doctors about hospital policies, assessing the quality of care provided by medical professionals, and selecting medical directors. The CMO is also involved in finances, as he determines employee pay, assists with resident funding, and assists with budget management.
Aside from daily management responsibilities, the chief medical officer is expected to attend a variety of hospital-related meetings. In this position, you can expect to communicate with committee chairmen and attend board of trustee meetings. Going to such meetings should usually be done with the intention of promoting education, improving the performance of the medical facility, and paying attention to quality assurance in every department. Furthermore, the chief medical officer meets with medical directors on a regular basis to ensure that all procedures are followed within each department. A CMO’s main responsibilities include assisting in the coordination of community clinics and any other activities in which the hospital participates.