Chief Medical Officer | Critical Access Hospital

Location: Hettinger

West River Health Services is a mission-driven Critical Access Hospital and Rural Health Clinic serving the residents of southwestern North Dakota. Guided by our core values of Excellence, Innovation, Compassion, and Respect, we're committed to providing the kind of quality health care typically found in larger cities, delivered with small-town friendliness and individual care. We believe our employees are the foundation of that commitment, working together to deliver safe, high-quality, patient-centered care.

Position Summary The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) serves as both a clinical leader and a practicing physician, in a role structured to be approximately 50% patient-facing and 50% administrative/leadership. This balance keeps the CMO closely connected to patient care while guiding the organization's medical strategy, working alongside the executive team to advance WRHS's mission.

Key Responsibilities Provide direct patient care in your specialty area, maintaining a regular patient panel

Provide strategic leadership and direction to medical and healthcare staff, ensuring the highest standard of patient care and safety

Establish and maintain clinical best practices, protocols, and guidelines

Oversee medical staff recruitment, credentialing, and performance evaluation

Develop and implement quality improvement, patient safety, and risk management initiatives

Serve as liaison between medical staff and administration, supporting the physician peer review process

Collaborate with executive leadership on strategic goals, and represent WRHS on medical advisory boards and in the community

Required

Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
Board certification in an applicable specialty

Current, unrestricted license to practice medicine in North Dakota, or ability to obtain prior to start

Meets all criteria for West River Health Services medical staff membership and credentialing

Preferred

Master's degree in Health Administration, Business Administration, or a related field

Prior experience in a medical leadership role (Medical Director, Department Chief, or similar)
Experience in a rural, Critical Access Hospital, or similarly resource-constrained clinical setting

Compensation & Benefits
** Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience, training, and qualifications.
** West River Health Services offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include health, dental, and vision insurance; retirement plans; paid time off; continuing education support; professional licensure reimbursement; employee wellness programs; and other benefits available to eligible employees.

West River Health Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer.