Founded in 1968, Argus Community has dedicated over 50 years to improving the lives of at-risk populations in New York City through innovative programs aimed at overcoming poverty and substance abuse. The organization was created to address the needs of severely disadvantaged individuals, particularly focusing on youth and adults involved in cycles of unemployment, substance abuse, and crime. Its mission is to provide innovative programs that help these individuals reclaim their lives and build new futures based on responsibility and hope.

The Senior Medical Director (SMDR) is responsible for providing enterprise-wide clinical leadership across Argus Community Inc.’s continuum of care, including OASAS, Article 31, residential, and outpatient services. This role will lead the development of a centralized Medical Affairs function to ensure high-quality, compliant, and integrated medical and behavioral health services.

The SMDR will operate in a 60% administrative / 40% clinical service model, balancing executive leadership with direct oversight and engagement in clinical care delivery. The role is critical to reducing reliance on external consultants, strengthening internal clinical governance, and mitigating regulatory and patient safety risks.

Core Clinical Domains (Enterprise-Wide)

The SMDR will ensure standardization, quality, and oversight across four core areas:

• Medical & Health Assessments
• Psychiatric Assessments
• Medication Management
• Inductions (MAT, buprenorphine, etc.), including oversight and review of services provided by specialty consultants

The SMDR will also:

Establish and lead enterprise-wide case conferences

Implement a formal peer review program across all sites

1. Enterprise Clinical Leadership & Governance

• Establish and lead a centralized Medical Affairs structure across all programs and sites
• Define and enforce clinical governance, supervision, and decision-making authority
• Standardize clinical policies and protocols across OASAS, Article 31, residential, and outpatient services
• Ensure alignment with regulatory requirements (OASAS, OMH, Medicaid, and other governing bodies)

2. Supervision & Workforce Leadership

• Provide direct supervision to:

- Nurse Practitioners

- Medical Directors

- Other licensed medical staff

• Establish clear supervision structures and performance expectations
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and development of medical staff
• Reduce reliance on external consultants by building internal clinical capacity

3. Clinical Quality, Compliance & Risk Management

• Lead clinical quality improvement initiatives and establish performance metrics
• Oversee medication management and safety protocols, including controlled substances (e.g., methadone)
• Ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory and accreditation standards
• Conduct and oversee clinical audits, incident reviews, and corrective action planning

4. Service Delivery (40% Clinical)

• Provide direct clinical services as needed across programs
• Support complex case reviews and clinical decision-making
• Serve as a clinical resource to providers and interdisciplinary teams

5. Policy, SOP Development & Implementation

• Develop and implement standardized clinical SOPs across the organization
• Oversee training and adoption of clinical protocols
• Ensure consistency in medication administration, documentation, and care delivery practices

6. Strategic Planning & Integration

• Partner with executive leadership to align medical services with organizational strategy
• Support integration of behavioral health and primary care services
• Lead initiatives that improve patient outcomes, access to care, and operational efficiency

Qualifications

Education & Licensure

• MD or DO degree required
• Board certified in Psychiatry, Addiction Medicine, or related field preferred
• Active, unrestricted New York State medical license
• DEA registration required

Experience

• Minimum 7–10 years of clinical experience, with at least 3–5 years in leadership roles
• Experience in OASAS, Article 31, or similar behavioral health settings strongly preferred
• Demonstrated experience managing multidisciplinary teams and supervising medical providers
• Experience in regulatory compliance, quality improvement, and clinical operations

Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership and change management skills
• Ability to build and operationalize centralized clinical structures
• Deep knowledge of behavioral health, substance use treatment, and integrated care models
• Experience reducing reliance on consultants and building internal capacity
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills across executive and clinical teams

Disclaimer: The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed for this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Argus Community, Inc. reserves the right to modify this job description at any time to meet agency needs.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $225,000.00 - $250,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Are you a QHP? Please specify.

Work Location: In person