This is a leadership role within the medical services department of a healthcare facility located in Embu, Kenya. The Head of Medical Services will be responsible for overseeing all clinical operations and ensuring the delivery of high-quality healthcare.

Responsibilities or duties

Key Responsibilities include:

• Clinical Leadership and Service Oversight: Provide overall leadership and coordination of all clinical departments including Outpatient, Inpatient, Maternity, Theatre, and Laboratory services. Ensure efficient delivery of integrated, high-quality healthcare services across all units. Oversee clinical decision-making frameworks and promote evidence-based medical practice. Guide development and implementation of clinical strategies aligned with hospital objectives.
• Quality Assurance and Clinical Governance: Develop, implement, and continuously review clinical policies, protocols, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Establish and enforce clinical governance frameworks to ensure patient safety and service quality. Monitor clinical outcomes and initiate corrective actions where necessary. Lead infection prevention and control (IPC) programs and patient safety initiatives. Drive continuous quality improvement programs and accreditation compliance.
• Human Resource Leadership and Capacity Development: Supervise and provide leadership to Medical Officers, Specialists, Clinical Officers, and Nursing teams. Conduct staff performance appraisals and support performance improvement plans. Identify training needs and coordinate Continuous Medical Education (CMEs). Promote teamwork, professionalism, and ethical medical practice across all clinical teams. Support recruitment and onboarding of clinical staff in collaboration with HR.
• Patient Care and Experience Management: Ensure delivery of safe, effective, and patient-centered care at all service points. Develop and implement strategies to improve patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes. Address patient complaints and clinical escalations promptly and professionally. Strengthen communication between clinical teams and patients/families.
• Resource and Budget Management: Participate in development and management of the clinical department budget. Ensure efficient utilization of medical supplies, drugs, and equipment. Work closely with administration to optimize resource allocation and reduce wastage. Monitor inventory levels and support procurement planning for clinical needs.
• Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management: Ensure all medical staff are properly licensed and compliant with regulatory requirements. Ensure adherence to national healthcare laws, policies, and guidelines. Maintain compliance with the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) standards. Identify clinical risks and implement mitigation strategies.
• Leadership, Reporting, and Stakeholder Engagement: Provide regular reports on clinical performance, quality indicators, and operational challenges. Participate in senior management and board-level meetings as required. Collaborate with internal departments and external stakeholders to enhance service delivery. Lead crisis management and emergency response coordination when required.

Qualifications or requirements

Qualifications include:

• Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) from a recognized institution.
• Master’s degree in Medicine (MMed), Public Health, Health Systems Management, or MBA is an added advantage.
• Must be registered and licensed by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) with a valid practicing certificate.
• Strong clinical leadership and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
• High level of integrity and ethical practice.
• Financial and resource management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to manage emergencies and high-pressure situations.

Experience needed

Minimum of 5–7 years clinical experience, with at least 3 years in a senior management or supervisory role (e.g., Medical Superintendent) in a busy Level 4 or higher facility.

• Provide overall leadership and coordination of all clinical departments including Outpatient, Inpatient, Maternity, Theatre, and Laboratory services.
• Ensure efficient delivery of integrated, high-quality healthcare services across all units.
• Oversee clinical decision-making frameworks and promote evidence-based medical practice.
• Guide development and implementation of clinical strategies aligned with hospital objectives.
• Develop, implement, and continuously review clinical policies, protocols, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Establish and enforce clinical governance frameworks to ensure patient safety and service quality.
• Monitor clinical outcomes and initiate corrective actions where necessary.
• Lead infection prevention and control (IPC) programs and patient safety initiatives.
• Drive continuous quality improvement programs and accreditation compliance.
• Supervise and provide leadership to Medical Officers, Specialists, Clinical Officers, and Nursing teams.
• Conduct staff performance appraisals and support performance improvement plans.
• Identify training needs and coordinate Continuous Medical Education (CMEs).
• Promote teamwork, professionalism, and ethical medical practice across all clinical teams.
• Support recruitment and onboarding of clinical staff in collaboration with HR.
• Ensure delivery of safe, effective, and patient-centered care at all service points.
• Develop and implement strategies to improve patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes.
• Address patient complaints and clinical escalations promptly and professionally.
• Strengthen communication between clinical teams and patients/families.
• Participate in development and management of the clinical department budget.
• Ensure efficient utilization of medical supplies, drugs, and equipment.
• Work closely with administration to optimize resource allocation and reduce wastage.
• Monitor inventory levels and support procurement planning for clinical needs.
• Ensure all medical staff are properly licensed and compliant with regulatory requirements.
• Ensure adherence to national healthcare laws, policies, and guidelines.
• Maintain compliance with the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) standards.
• Identify clinical risks and implement mitigation strategies.
• Provide regular reports on clinical performance, quality indicators, and operational challenges.
• Participate in senior management and board-level meetings as required.
• Collaborate with internal departments and external stakeholders to enhance service delivery.
• Lead crisis management and emergency response coordination when required.

• Strong clinical leadership and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
• High level of integrity and ethical practice.
• Financial and resource management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to manage emergencies and high-pressure situations.

• Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) from a recognized institution.
• Master’s degree in Medicine (MMed), Public Health, Health Systems Management, or MBA is an added advantage.
• Must be registered and licensed by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) with a valid practicing certificate.