Physician Relations Coordinator & Liaison at Ephraim McDowell Health, Inc

JOB SUMMARY:

The Physician Relations & Liaison Role is responsible for strengthening relationships with physicians and providers, supporting physician recruitment, and enhancing referral processes to drive growth and retention across Ephraim McDowell Health (EMH) and its service areas. Serving as the primary link between physicians, private practices, and EMH leadership, this role fosters collaboration, promotes EMH’s clinical services and strategic initiatives, and ensures a seamless onboarding experience for new providers. The incumbent plays a critical role in aligning physician engagement with EMH’s strategic goals, F.I.R.S.T. values, and commitment to delivering remarkable, patient-centered care.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Serve as liaison between EMH, affiliated physicians, and community providers to strengthen relationships and support referral growth.
2. Conduct one-on-one practice visits (approx. 60% field time) to educate providers and staff on EMH’s services, programs, and new clinical offerings.
3. Promote hospital services, address barriers to referrals, and provide timely resolution of concerns raised by physicians and market leaders.
4. Organize and host physician engagement events to build loyalty and collaboration.
5. Develop and maintain a database of referring physicians, tracking demographics, referral trends, and communication details.
6. Use market and referral data to identify key clinicians and growth opportunities, ensuring EMH expands market share in inpatient and outpatient services.
7. Collaborate with Marketing, EMH Foundation, Community Services, and other stakeholders on branding, educational activities, and outreach initiatives.
8. Study competitors to identify strengths/weaknesses and recommend enhancements to EMH services.
9. Communicate physician and staff feedback to leadership, ensuring service line responsiveness.
10. Coordinate outreach visits and facilitate introductions between EMH providers and community physicians.
11. Ensure that both formal and informal linkages among physicians, leadership, associates, and patients foster teamwork and an excellent patient experience
12. Support physician recruitment strategies in alignment with EMH’s approved recruitment plan and strategic goals.
13. Facilitate onboarding, including credentialing coordination, orientation, spouse luncheons, and practice integration activities.
14. Lead Onboarding Process and Meeting to ensure smooth transition of of physician to organization and community
15. Provide candidates and recruits with comprehensive information on EMH and community resources to maximize retention.
16. Work with local physicians to assess recruitment needs for private practices and support targeted service line growth.
17. Demonstrates a commitment to incorporating the core concepts of patient family centered care into practice (dignity, respect, information sharing, and participation). 
18. Demonstrates a commitment to the development and implementation of shared governance across the Organization.
19. Performs other related duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS, HAZARDS AND PHYSICAL EFFORT:

Work requires only minor physical exertion and/or physical strain. Work environment may involve exposure to disagreeable elements requiring intervention and resolution. The responsibilities of this position do not involve exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissue. Responsibilities of this position will involve work outside of normal business hours for different projects and events as well as physician recruitment.

CONTACTS WITH OTHERS:

Ability to foster cooperation and positive relationships. Requires regular contacts to discuss issues of significant importance and to respond to inquiries. Incumbent would have regular contact with physicians and physician candidates. Frequently requires contacts with Associates and leadership. Position requires cooperation, explanation and persuasion. Ability to communicate effectively. Requires regular external contacts to discuss issues of significant importance and to respond to inquiries. Also requires ongoing personal contact with the public involving matters requiring cooperation, explanation and persuasion.

EQUIPMENT USED/SPECIAL SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Knowledge of healthcare referral patterns, payor requirements, and physician practice dynamics.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with ability to manage multiple projects.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and active listening skills.
• Customer-focused, results-oriented, and adept at building long-term professional relationships.
• Familiarity with the Central Kentucky healthcare market preferred.