What does a Medical Director do?
Medical Directors are Physicians who oversee the day-to-day operations of long-term healthcare facilities. Working closely with management, Medical Directors coordinate a range of interdisciplinary teams to implement the facilities’ systems, policies and agenda. They are also responsible for the oversight and implementation of the quality evaluation and performance improvement programme. Medical Directors usually work in hospitals, but they also work in a variety of other healthcare environments. They spend much of their day sitting but may move or stand to attend conferences, tour the medical facilities and oversee staff.
Medical Director skills and qualifications
Medical Directors need a range of skills and qualifications to perform their duties effectively. A successful Medical Director will have various prerequisite skills and qualifications that include:
- Excellent leadership skills
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Superb problem-solving, judgement and cognitive skills
- Ability to enter information in the healthcare facility’s system and compile data or reports as requested
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Strong command of various computer software programs such as Microsoft Office
- Maths and science skills
- Presentation skills
Medical Director experience requirements
Medical Directors must have 10 years of experience in clinical medicine and at least five years of experience in hospital administration. Candidates who are experienced with computers, electronic medical systems and web-based programs have an added employment advantage. Experience in other related fields such as Therapists, Doctors and Nurses, is a plus. Candidates can also move into Medical Director roles if they have management experience from other sectors.
Medical Director education and training requirements
Medical Directors must hold a bachelor’s degree in medicine or surgery. They must also complete the two-year Foundation Programme, be registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) Register, obtain a Certificate of Completion (CCT) and pass the United Kingdom Medical Licensing Assessment (UKMLA). Some healthcare facilities accept a candidate who is a General Practitioner (GP) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), others prefer candidates who are specialists such as Cardiologists or Gastroenterologists. Some facilities may require candidates to be a member of the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP) or the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS).
Medical Director salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary of a Medical Director in the UK, is £94,566 per year. This figure varies depending on several factors, including experience, geographical location and company.
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