Position: Chief Executive Officer, The South Carolina Primary Health Care Association

Location: Columbia, South Carolina

The South Carolina Primary Health Care Association (“PCA”), a HRSA-funded Primary Care Association is seeking an energetic, forward thinking, unifying, visionary, leader for its next Chief Executive Officer.

About the Organization

Since 1979, the PCA has served as the unifying organization and advocate for Community Health Centers (“CHCs”) throughout the state of South Carolina.  The PCA promotes access to high quality primary, behavioral, and other health care services for all South Carolinians. Through its advocacy efforts and resource development programs, the PCA has supported the expansion and improvement of health care services for South Carolina residents.

Although there are many areas in which it has a presence, the PCA has four core roles:

• Advocacy
• Training & Technical Assistance
• Health Center Controlled Network (HCCN)
• South Carolina Agricultural Worker Health Program

The PCA serves twenty-two federally funded Community Health Centers, one Look-Alike, and directly operates the South Carolina Agricultural Worker Health Program.  It is governed by a Board of Directors composed of the CEOs from each of the 22 health centers and a peer-elected health center Chief Medical Officer. 

The PCA maintains a diverse team of thirty-seven employees who collectively execute its board-approved plan which is funded by what is currently an annual budget of $4.7 million.  The PCA maintains a strong financial position and is well positioned for future financial and organizational growth.  Its corporate office is in Columbia, South Carolina, which is in the central part of the state.  With an MSA population of 829,470 and serving as the state capital, Columbia is also home of the University of South Carolina, and is a short drive to either world-famous beaches or the Appalachian Mountains. 

The state of South Carolina has 5,118,425 residents.  Collectively, its community health centers maintain 265 delivery sites serving 430,598 residents.  As a result, one out of every 12.5 South Carolinians receives care through a PCA-supported community health center.

About the Position

Working in partnership with the Board of Directors, the next CEO will have the opportunity to develop and shape the long-term vision and direction of this trusted, highly accomplished, and nationally recognized association. 

The ideal CEO is a visionary leader with a strong educational background and leadership experience able to quickly understand the state’s health needs and those of member health centers. The candidate must be a consensus-builder and strong decision maker with experience working with a Board of Directors.  He or she must be able to manage complex projects, mentor employees, and meet deadlines. He or she must have demonstrated experience in administration, attaining strategic goals, collaborative ventures, and constituency building. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of finance, healthcare payment methodologies (especially value-based care), technology, staff management, networking, and the social and health care needs of the residents in the state of South Carolina.

The responsibilities of the CEO include, but are not limited to:

• ensuring the PCA achieves its operational and strategic goals
• leading and guiding the organization in its mission and vision
• building and maintaining strong relationships with legislative members, policy partners and agencies at the local, state and federal level
• oversight of program development and operations
• sound fiscal management
• oversight of board relations, human capital management and administrative matters

Preferred Experience

• Career experience in a senior leadership position in nonprofit management, fiscal management, public relations, government relations or healthcare
• Ten plus years of increasing administrative/managerial responsibility within an organization
• A strong understanding of the legislative and executive branch process at the local, state and national levels

Preferred Education

• Bachelor’s degree in business management, health care administration, or another related field
• Preferred master’s degree or higher

Compensation

Competitive and comprehensive compensation package, the details of which will be discussed privately with qualified applicants.

Application Process & Timeline

Interested candidates should forward a cover letter and curriculum vitae to the South Carolina Primary Care Association Board Chair, Stewart Barre at: sbarre@plexushealth.com by October 15, 2023.  Candidates will first undergo a video conference interview to be conducted between October 16^th and October 20^th, 2023.  Select candidates will receive an invitation for a second in-person interview to occur between October 23^rd and November 14^th, 2023.  The anticipated start date is January 1^st, 2024, or another mutually agreed upon date.