Unit Size: 24-Bed Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit (IRU)
Patient Population: Primarily stroke, spinal cord injury, and traumatic brain injury rehabilitation, including individuals lacking insurance or with inadequate coverage.
Position Summary
The Medical Director provides clinical, operational, and strategic leadership for a 24-bed Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit located within a major trauma medical center. The unit primarily serves patients recovering from stroke, spinal cord injury, and traumatic brain injury along with a population of underinsured individuals requiring comprehensive rehabilitative care. The Medical Director ensures the delivery of high-quality, equitable, and efficient rehabilitation services while coordinating closely with trauma, neurology, acute care, and community health partners.
Key Responsibilities
Clinical Leadership & Quality
- Lead the IRU’s interdisciplinary care model, emphasizing evidence-based stroke and other neurological health conditions rehabilitation and culturally competent care for underserved populations.
- Oversee medical stability and admission appropriateness, especially for under insured or medically complex patients.
- Coordinate with neurology, ICU, trauma, and emergency services to streamline transfers after acute stabilization.
- Champion initiatives addressing social determinants of health, access barriers, and continuity of care.
- Ensure regulatory compliance (CARF, CMS IRF, Joint Commission) including 60% rule, IRF-PAI accuracy, and QRP reporting.
- Monitor stroke-specific metrics (functional gains, community discharge rates, readmissions, LOS efficiency) and disparities in access and outcomes for underinsured groups.
Operational Management
- Oversee daily operations, staffing, and throughput of a 24-bed unit in partnership with the IRU Nurse and Rehabilitation Therapies Manager.
- Develop standardized stroke pathways and care bundles to improve efficiency and functional recovery.
- Optimize bed utilization and expedite transfers from trauma, neuro, and acute care units.
- Work closely with case management to secure post-discharge resources for uninsured or underserved patients, including community agencies and charity programs.
- Participate in IRU call coverage schedule.
Education, Research & Professional Development
- Support training for residents, fellows, APPs, therapists, and nursing staff with emphasis on stroke rehabilitation and health equity.
- Promote quality improvement initiatives addressing disparities in rehab access and outcomes.
- Maintain board certification, CME requirements, and promote ongoing staff competency.
Strategic Growth & Community Partnerships
- Guide development of stroke-focused specialty programming, including advanced neurorehabilitation technology and community reintegration initiatives.
- Build partnerships with community health organizations, free clinics, and social service agencies to support uninsured patients.
- Collaborate on grants or community health initiatives addressing gaps in rehabilitation access and equity.
Required Qualifications
- MD/DO with Board Certification in PM&R; eligibility for state licensure.
- Minimum 3–5 years of inpatient rehabilitation experience; strong expertise in stroke rehabilitation.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively with underserved populations and multidisciplinary teams.
- Working knowledge of CMS IRF regulations, documentation standards, and CARF/TJC accreditation processes.
Preferred Qualifications
- Fellowship training in Brain Injury Medicine, Stroke, Spinal Cord Injury or related areas.
- Experience with population health, community outreach, or safety-net systems.
- Academic, teaching, or research experience, especially related to stroke or health equity.
Performance Metrics
- Quality & Safety: fall rates, pressure injuries, VTE prophylaxis, unplanned transfers.
- Stroke Outcomes: functional gains, discharge home rates, LOS efficiency, readmissions.
- Access & Equity: timeliness of admission for uninsured patients, resource connection rates, community linkage success.
- Compliance: documentation accuracy, IRF-PAI performance, regulatory readiness.
Work Schedule & Expectations
- Onsite presence aligned with IRU needs; participation in call coverage.
- Active engagement with IDT rounds, quality committees, and hospital coordination meetings.
- Regular collaboration with case management, social work, and community health partners.
Compensation & Benefits
- Competitive salary, medical director stipend, and quality/outcome-based incentives.
- Comprehensive benefits including CME funding and malpractice coverage.
- Academic appointment potential if affiliated with a teaching institution.
NOTE: Position tasks are required to be performed in-person at an Emory University location; working remote is not an option. Emory reserves the right to change this status with notice to employee.