The Executive Director of KYCO Clinics provides executive leadership for the Kentucky College of Optometry's (KYCO) clinical enterprise, advancing the College's mission to develop leaders in therapeutic optometry through innovative education and a commitment to caring for the underserved. The position is responsible for the strategic growth, operational excellence, financial sustainability, and continuous advancement of KYCO Clinics while ensuring exceptional patient care and meaningful clinical education experiences. Working collaboratively with the Dean, Assistant Dean of Clinical Education, faculty, University leadership, and community partners, the Executive Director leads the administrative, operational, and strategic functions of the clinical enterprise. This executive role strengthens community partnerships, expands access to care, supports innovative models of healthcare delivery, and ensures that clinical operations provide the infrastructure necessary for outstanding patient care, student learning, and future multidisciplinary growth.
Responsibilities
- Lead the strategic direction and day-to-day administration of the KYCO's clinical enterprise across all university-operated clinics and affiliated clinical education sites.
- Develop operational priorities, performance expectations, and key performance indicators that guide patient access, operational efficiency, financial performance, educational capacity, and quality outcomes.
- Maintain the KYCO Clinics Policy and Procedure Manual, ensuring compliance with University policies, Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) standards, and applicable regulatory requirements.
- Develop and implement operational policies, procedures, and workflows that promote consistency, accountability, and exceptional patient care.
- Provide the Dean with regular reports and recommendations regarding clinical performance, opportunities for growth, and operational improvement.
- Direct initiatives that strengthen patient access, referral relationships, and sustainable growth of the clinical enterprise.
- Serve as the primary administrative liaison with Pikeville Medical Center, Federally Qualified Health Centers, private practice affiliates, and other clinical partners.
- Develop, negotiate, and maintain affiliation agreements and memoranda of understanding supporting patient care and clinical education.
- Collaborate with Marketing and Communications to promote clinical services, referral development, patient outreach, and community engagement.
- Identify opportunities for new services, partnerships, and multidisciplinary collaboration that align with the College's mission.
- Oversee clinic budgets, financial performance, payor strategy, operational metrics, and resource utilization.
- Partner with Finance and revenue cycle personnel to improve reimbursement, coding, collections, and operational efficiency.
- Evaluate provider productivity, scheduling, patient flow, fill rates, no-show trends, and service-line performance to guide operational decisions.
- Use data and analytics to support informed decision-making, continuous improvement, and long-term sustainability.
- Lead quality improvement, patient safety, and regulatory compliance initiatives across the clinical enterprise.
- Ensure compliance with HIPAA, OSHA, payer requirements, University policies, and ACOE expectations.
- Oversee facility planning, equipment replacement, preventive maintenance, and capital improvement planning to support exceptional patient care and education.
- Provide strategic leadership and supervision for the Clinic Operations Manager, Clinical Coordinator, and assigned administrative personnel.
- Partner with the Assistant Dean of Clinical Education to ensure clinical operations effectively support the educational mission of the College.
- Collaborate with University departments including Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, Facilities, Compliance, and Marketing and Communications.
- Partner with academic leadership to integrate contemporary practice management, healthcare leadership, and clinical operations into the student experience.
- Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, service, collaboration, and continuous improvement
- Other duties as assigned
Education
Master's degree in Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, Public Health, Healthcare Management, or a closely related field.
Experience
- Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible healthcare leadership
- Demonstrated experience in healthcare operations, budgeting, strategic planning, personnel supervision, and regulatory compliance.
- Exceptional leadership, communication, analytical, and relationship-building skills
Preferred Qualifications
- Professional certification such as FACHE, FACMPE, CMPE, CHC, CPHQ, or equivalent.
- Experience in an academic health center or health professions education environment.
- Experience with multisite ambulatory care, FQHCs, Rural Health Clinics, or health system partnerships.
- Knowledge of optometric practice operations and ACOE accreditation.
Application review will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Applications received on or before 9/30/2026 will be given priority consideration.
Important Notes: Resume and other application materials will be reviewed to determine if you meet the required qualifications for the position. If it is determined that you meet the required qualifications, your application materials will be used to identify a top group of the most highly qualified candidates. Please specifically address the qualifications, competencies, and desired qualifications in your resume and application materials.
For more information about the University of Pikeville, please visit http://www.upike.edu. In addition to the application, interested applicants are requested to attach to their application a letter of interest, current resume, and contact information for three to five professional references.
