Associate Medical Director, Spine Surgery

As an Associate Medical Director for Spine Surgery at Cohere Health, your primary responsibilities will include providing timely medical reviews based on clinical information, ensuring adherence to evidence-based guidelines, and documenting all communications and decisions meticulously. You will collaborate with our review team, engage in peer-to-peer discussions, and support operational improvements to enhance patient and provider experiences.

To qualify for the Associate Medical Director position at Cohere Health, candidates must have completed a US-based residency in Orthopedic or Neurosurgery and a fellowship in Spine Surgery. Board certification as an MD or DO and an unrestricted state license are essential. Additionally, you should have 5+ years of clinical practice and preferably 1+ years in managed care utilization review, along with a willingness to obtain state licenses across several mentioned states.

Cohere Health is recognized as a Best Place to Work in 2023 and 2024, emphasizing a culture of support, inclusivity, and professional growth. As an Associate Medical Director, you will be part of a rapidly scaling company focused on using advanced technologies to improve healthcare. The environment here values empathy, open communication, and a strong dedication to core principles that drive impactful work.

Cohere Health emphasizes stringent quality parameters in its clinical reviews. As the Associate Medical Director for Spine Surgery, you will conduct evidence-based assessments, adhere to documented templates, and ensure that communication regarding clinical decisions is clear and accessible for both members and providers, thus sustaining Cohere’s high standards.

At Cohere Health, we prioritize your professional development as an Associate Medical Director. The company fosters a growth-oriented environment, provides opportunities for advanced training, and encourages participation in national and regional specialty societies. This ensures that you remain at the forefront of your field while contributing to impactful healthcare solutions.

When responding to this question, highlight your residency and fellowship training, emphasizing specific procedures you've handled and outcomes achieved. Providing concrete examples of challenging cases can effectively demonstrate your clinical acumen and readiness for the Associate Medical Director role.

Articulate your familiarity with current clinical guidelines and how you integrate them into your review processes. Discuss how you balance clinical judgment with empirical data to arrive at decisions that best serve both providers and patients.

Share examples of how you've simplified complicated medical terminology in past roles. Emphasize the importance of clarity and know-how engaging non-clinical staff through education while ensuring that information remains accessible.

Focus on your communication skills and your approach to resolving conflicts. Describe specific tactics you've used to foster an open dialogue, emphasizing empathy and understanding while maintaining professionalism.

Discuss any previous roles or experiences you’ve had in managed care. Highlight key aspects of utilization review you are familiar with, such as criteria application, case studies, and collaboration with interdisciplinary teams in past positions.

Share a scenario where you faced a challenging medical decision, outlining your thought process, the evidence you relied on, and the outcomes of your decision. This helps showcase your problem-solving abilities and commitment to patient care.

Discuss your adaptability and eagerness to learn. Illustrate with examples how you thrive in dynamic settings, perhaps mentioning specific accomplishments in similar roles that resulted from your proactive approach.

Highlight your attention to detail and commitment to following established guidelines. You could discuss your approach to continuous learning and how you apply feedback to improve your review quality consistently.

Explain the factors you assess, including clinical indications, patient history, availability of alternative treatments, and the evidence-based guidelines you abide by, which reflect your thorough and methodical approach to clinical reviews.

Describe your leadership style, emphasizing collaboration, openness, and empathy. Talk about strategies you would implement to ensure team members feel valued, motivated, and align with the overall mission and goals of Cohere Health.