Chief Operating Officer

Description

Unity Care NW seeks an experienced, strategic leadership partner to lead UCNW’s medical, dental, support services, Way Station, and care & case management program operations.

TO APPLY

Visit our Careers Page at www.unitycarenw.org and contact Vicki Curtis, Provider Recruiter, at hr@ucnw.org or 360-788-2661 with questions. In addition to completing the application, please submit your resume and cover letter (2 pages or less) addressing the following: 

1. Why are you interested in Unity Care NW and our mission?
2. Summarize your experience that makes you a good fit for this role.
3. Describe a time you led a significant operational improvement and the key results achieved. 

Position will be open until filled, but first consideration will be given to materials received by 11/6/26. For news on our organization & future job postings, please follow us on LinkedIn at https://bit.ly/363mfhv.

WHO WE ARE

Unity Care NW is a private, non-profit, federally qualified health center (FQHC) that has been proudly and successfully serving Whatcom County since 1982. With clinics located in Bellingham & Ferndale, we offer comprehensive primary medical, behavioral health, dental, and pharmacy services to a diverse and often underserved patient population of all ages. Employing 300 caring and compassionate employees, our mission is to increase the years of healthy life in the people & communities we serve. To learn more about our organization and the services we provide, please visit us at https://unitycarenw.org/.

WHAT WE VALUE

• Respect
• Integrity
• Accountability
• Collaboration
• Innovation

We are united by our vision, mission, and values, and actively cultivate a culture of belonging, with the aim of leveraging the diverse, collective talents and strengths of each member of our team. 

WHAT WE OFFER

Compensation:

• Salary, exempt
• Eligible for Sign-On/Relocation Bonus (subject to payback clause)
• The standard wage range for this role is $191,472.42 - $247,051.38 per year
• It may be possible to earn more over time up to $302,543.38 per year

Benefits: Unity Care NW offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Medical, dental & vision insurance
• 401(K) retirement plan with employer match after 1 year of eligibility
• 6 paid holidays
• Paid Time Off (160 hours 1st year, 208 hours 2nd year, increasing at Year 5 & Year 10 thereafter)
• Other paid leaves including Bereavement, Jury Duty & Bone Marrow & Organ Transplant
• Life & Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance
• Optional insurances including Supplementary Life/AD&D, Short Term and Long-Term Disability, Critical Illness, Accident, Travel & Identity Theft Protection
• Flexible spending accounts
• Self-funded Health Savings Account on Base Medical Insurance Plan 
• Employee Assistance Program
• Alternative Transportation Incentives
• Health Living reimbursements
• Unique programs including Medical Hardship Payroll Loans, Employee Referral Bonuses & Will preparation services 

JOB SUMMARY

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is responsible for leading UCNW’s medical, dental, support services, Way Station, and care & case management programs. They lead continuous improvements in operational efficiencies and effectiveness through identification and successful implementation of internal and external best practices & provide leadership and coaching to their team which includes the Medical and Dental Operations Managers, the Support Services Manager, The Way Station Health & Hygiene Manager, and the Senior Administrative Assistant. They also partner with operational, clinical, and senior leaders to develop and monitor budgets, establish organizational priorities, and develop strategic and operational plans.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Excellent leadership skills to oversee teams, lead strategic initiatives and successfully achieve sustained operational improvements
• Deep expertise in process improvement methodologies
• Financial acumen in budgeting, operational performance, and resource stewardship within the healthcare setting
• Knowledge of healthcare compliance and regulatory requirements
• Experience with healthcare technology (EHR) and using tools to make data-driven decisions
• Proficient with internal software tools such as MS Office Suite 
• Strong strategic planning, operational management, performance tracking, and problem-solving skills
• Excellent written, oral, and listening communication skills
• Demonstrated skill and effectiveness as a relationship builder and internal consultant
• Passion for mission-driven, community-oriented work

Education & Experience:

• 5 or more years of progressively responsible experience in health care operations management required
• Prior supervisory experience required
• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Healthcare Operations, or related field; Master’s degree strongly preferred. 
• Experience managing in a Federally Qualified Health Center strongly preferred.
• Other combinations of education and experience which would provide the applicant with the desired knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the position 

Other Requirements:

Unity Care NW has an Employee Health Program for the safety of our patients and staff. The program requires all new employees to have up to date vaccines for influenza and strongly encourages up to date vaccines for COVID-19. More information about this program is provided throughout the recruitment process.

WHERE WE LIVE

Live in a community consistently rated as one of the most desirable in the USA! Nestled on Bellingham Bay at the foot of the Cascade Mountains just a short distance from Seattle, Vancouver BC, and the San Juan Islands, Bellingham is home to over 90,000 people and surrounded by several charming small towns. To learn more about Bellingham and Whatcom County visit: https://www.bellingham.org/.

If you feel this job posting is missing any required compensation or benefit information, please contact HR@ucnw.org. Other questions can be addressed throughout the recruitment process for candidates selected to move forward.