New Mexico Department of Health

Salary

$75.75 - $128.78 Hourly

$157,562 - $267,856 Annually

This position is a Pay Band C16

Posting Details

THIS POSTING WILL BE USED FOR ONGOING RECRUITMENT AND MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME. APPLICANT LISTS MAY BE SCREENED MORE THAN ONCE.

The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH), Public Health Division (PHD), Northwest Region provides population-based and clinical public health services to the counties of Bernalillo, Sandoval, Valencia, Torrance, McKinley, Cibola, and San Juan through a network of 16 Public Health Offices and mobile outreach services.

The Division delivers essential preventive and clinical services including but not limed to: immunizations, sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and treatment, family planning, breast and cervical cancer screening, tuberculosis (TB) prevention and treatment, harm reduction and syringe services, hepatitis C testing and treatment, medications for opioid and alcohol use disorder (MOUD/MAUD), and maternal and child health services. These services are designed to reduce disease burden, improve access to care, and promote health equity¿particularly among rural, under resourced and Tribal communities.

The Northwest Region operates in close partnership with community providers, Tribal health systems, academic partners, and local organizations to strengthen the public health system and improve the health and well-being of all New Mexicans.

Why does the job exist?

The Regional Health Officer (RHO) exists to serve as the Northwest Region¿s senior public health physician, providing medical oversight, direct patient care, and strategic clinical guidance to ensure the delivery of safe, equitable, high-quality public health services.

This position ensures clinical excellence, strengthens workforce capability, and advances regional and statewide public health priorities through servant leadership, collaboration, and evidence-based decision-making. The RHO supports both individual patient care and population health outcomes by guiding clinical practice, responding to public health threats, mentoring staff, and working with internal and external partners to improve health systems and access to care.

This role is essential to reducing disease burden, supporting outbreak response, ensuring regulatory and clinical compliance, and advancing the Department¿s mission of improving health outcomes for all New Mexicans.

How does it get done?

Clinical Leadership and Oversight:

• Provide medical oversight and clinical direction for public health programs including Family Planning, STI/HIV prevention and treatment, TB control, Immunizations, Breast and Cervical Cancer screening, Hepatitis C services, Harm Reduction, and MOUD/MAUD.
• Deliver direct clinical services in public health offices, correctional facilities, and community-based and mobile outreach settings.
• Ensure high clinical standards through evidence-based practice, quality assurance, and appropriate documentation in the Billing and Electronic Health Record (BEHR) system.
• Support outbreak response, disease investigation, and emergency preparedness activities.
  
  

Workforce Leadership and Development:

• Serve as a servant leader, supporting staff and providers to perform their roles effectively and confidently.
• Provide mentorship, clinical consultation, and supervision to physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, and clinical staff.
• Foster a culture of humility, accountability, transparency, and continuous learning.
• Teach and mentor medical students, residents, and public health trainees.
  
  

Operational and Strategic Leadership:

• Collaborate with the Regional Director, Director of Nursing Services, and Region Management Team to align clinical services with regional and statewide goals.
• Translate Department priorities into clear clinical guidance and operational action.
• Support mobile health clinic services and innovative approaches to improve access to care.
• Promote quality improvement, innovation, and service integration across programs.
  
  

Community and System Partnership:

• Serve as a clinical consultant and liaison to community providers, Tribal partners, academic institutions, and healthcare organizations.
• Collaborate with partners to identify community health needs, develop interventions, and improve population health outcomes.
• Represent the Department and the Northwest Region in public health partnerships and professional forums.
  
  

Leadership Principles in Action

The RHO models NMDOH leadership principles by:

• Leading self with humility, transparency, accountability, and a servant leadership mindset.
• Leading teams by inspiring, empowering, and supporting staff to achieve shared goals.
• Leading with peers by fostering trust, collaboration, and a shared commitment to public health.
• Leading the Department by aligning with organizational priorities, promoting innovation, and demonstrating a
  
  

Who are the customers?

This position serves multiple stakeholders, including:

• Clients and communities across the Northwest Region, particularly under resourced rural, and Tribal populations.
• Clinical and public health staff who rely on medical leadership, guidance, and support.
• The New Mexico Department of Health and Public Health Division to ensure safe, effective, and compliant clinical services.
• Community partners, healthcare providers, and academic institutions collaborating to improve population health outcomes.
• The broader public health system to strengthen prevention, response, and health equity efforts.
  
  

Ultimately, this work is done in service of improving the health and well-being of all New Mexicans.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a compassionate, collaborative, and mission-driven physician who is deeply committed to public health and health equity.

They demonstrate the ability to implement changes in a way that takes into account staff input and feedback.

They should support and empower all team members while also holding staff accountable in compliance with DOH polices and procedures and ensuring all staff feel valued and supported.

The ideal candidate has:

• Experience providing clinical care in public health, primary care, infectious disease, or related settings.
• Experience managing Family Planning, STI/HIV, TB, substance use disorder, or preventive health services.
• Strong leadership, mentorship, and workforce development skills.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse and under resourced populations.
• Commitment to collaboration with multidisciplinary teams and community partners.
• Experience teaching and mentoring learners and staff.
• Comfort using electronic health records.
• Spanish language proficiency preferred.
  
  

They are an inspiring leader who empowers others, promotes accountability, and contributes to the Department¿s shared mission of improving health outcomes for all New Mexicans.

Minimum Qualification

Requires an MD or DO, licensure and certification to practice in New Mexico and two (2) years of experience as it pertains to the essential duties and responsibilities of the classification. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field above licensure/certification requirements and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling two (2) years may substitute for the required experience.

Employment Requirements

Must possess a current NM Physician license in accordance with the Medical Practice Act, Sections 61-6-1 through 61-6-35 NMSA 1978 and 16.10.1 through 16.10.19 NMAC

Must be board certified in Family Medicine or other relevant

Current CPR certificate

Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License.

Must possess and maintain a current Defensive Driving Course Certification from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive Defensive Driving Course Certification as a condition of continued employment.

Working Conditions

This position works primarily in clinical and office environments within public health offices but also provides services in community settings, correctional facilities, mobile clinics, and partner sites throughout the Northwest Region.

Working conditions include:

• Extensive computer and electronic health record use.
• Frequent interaction with patients, staff, and community partners.
• Travel throughout the region to support clinical services, outreach, and meetings; occasional overnight travel may be required.
• Potential exposure to communicable diseases.
• Occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds related to clinical or outreach activities.
  
  

The position requires flexibility, adaptability, and a commitment to serving diverse populations in a variety of clinical and community environments.

Supplemental Information

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Agency Contact Information: Dominic Rodriguez, (505) 681-2725, Email

For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.

Bargaining Unit Position

This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.