Chief Compliance and Contracting Officer

About the role

Northwest Ambulance provides interfacility transport, with some 911 response, and critical care transport across Washington. We're hiring our first Chief Compliance & Contracting Officer — a standalone executive role reporting directly to the CEO and Owner.

This is a build role, not a maintenance role. You'll stand up the compliance program and take ownership of the contract portfolio, two functions that currently live in pieces across Operations, Billing, and HR. You will audit all three, and you won't report through any of them.

We expect you to use AI as a working part of how you build and run both functions: reviewing and redlining contracts, comparing terms across the portfolio, drafting policies and audit reports, analyzing billing and ePCR data for patterns, and keeping pace with regulatory changes. You’ll also be responsible for making sure AI is used safely and compliantly across the organization.

What you'll own

Compliance. A documented, organization-wide compliance program: written policies, standards of conduct, an annual risk-based work plan, and an audit calendar you set and execute. Ambulance billing and reimbursement compliance across Medicare, Medicaid/Apple Health, and commercial payers — medical necessity, level of service, mileage, PCS forms, and ePCR documentation quality. Fraud, waste, and abuse controls. HIPAA privacy, including the Privacy Officer function. Regulatory obligations to DOH, HCA, CMS, HHS-OIG, DEA, L&I, and county EMS.

Contracting. The full lifecycle for every agreement the organization signs — facility, payer, vendor, and service. You'll run the intake process, maintain the repository and renewal calendar, lead or support negotiations with hospitals, SNFs, dialysis centers, and health systems, and model the margin impact of proposed rates alongside the Controller before anything is committed. You'll review every arrangement for Anti-Kickback, Stark, and False Claims exposure. Nothing gets executed without your review.

Why this role is different

You'll have direct, unfiltered access to the CEO and Owner and the authority to open an audit or investigation without asking permission first. You can require any contract, amendment, or rate change to route through you before signature, and you can withhold your recommendation on any agreement that carries too much regulatory or financial risk. Signature authority stays with the CEO — but the recommendation is yours, and it carries weight.

We're looking for someone comfortable telling senior leadership no, in writing, with a defensible rationale.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in healthcare administration, business, compliance, finance, legal studies, or a related field. Substantial equivalent healthcare compliance experience considered in lieu of a degree.
• 5+ years of progressively responsible experience in healthcare compliance, reimbursement, auditing, or billing.
• Working knowledge of the Anti-Kickback Statute, Stark Law, False Claims Act, and HIPAA.
• Demonstrated experience with Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement requirements.
• Hands-on experience reviewing, negotiating, and administering healthcare contracts, including rate and reimbursement terms.
• Track record conducting audits, investigations, and corrective-action processes through to closure.
• Ability to communicate risk clearly to executives and to appropriately challenge senior decisions.
• This position requires use of AI tools. We expect you to use AI as a working part of how you build and run both functions: reviewing and redlining contracts, comparing terms across the portfolio, drafting policies and audit reports, analyzing billing and ePCR data for patterns, and keeping pace with regulatory changes. You’ll also be responsible for making sure AI is used safely and compliantly across the organization.
• Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record.

Nice to have

• Ambulance, EMS, medical transportation, or hospital operations background.
• Direct experience with ambulance billing rules, medical necessity, and PCS requirements.
• Experience overseeing third-party billing vendors.
• Experience negotiating hospital, SNF, health system, or payer transport agreements.
• Experience building a centralized contract repository and renewal calendar.
• CHC, CHC-F, CHPC, CHC-O, CHRC, or comparable certification.
• Experience with government auditors, regulators, and healthcare counsel.
• JD, MBA, MHA, or related master's degree.

Benefits

• We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance to ensure the well-being and health of our employees.
• We invest in your future with a 401(k)-retirement plan that includes an employer match of up to 5%, helping you build a long-term financial security.
• We value work-life balance and offer paid time off (PTO), giving you the flexibility to rest, recharge, and take care of what matters most.
• To maintain a professional and consistent appearance across our team, uniforms are provided to all employees, ensuring you always look your best while representing our company.

Wages

The estimated annual compensation is $165,000 - $195,000 annually