At the MBTA, we envision a thriving region enabled by a best-in-class transit system. Our mission is to serve the public by providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation. MBTA’s core values are built around safety, service, equity, and sustainability and each employee that works for the MBTA performs their roles based on our vision, mission, and values. This includes attendance, participation, and contribution in local safety committee meetings as needed.
Job Summary
The Associate Medical Director is a senior member of the MBTA Occupational Health Services department responsible for assisting oversight of the MBTA Medical Department. This unique role offers the opportunity to directly protect the health and safety of the workforce behind one of the most critical public services in Massachusetts. As a key member of a clinic dedicated to ensuring the long-term wellness and readiness of MBTA's workforce throughout their MBTA careers, this role will be a part of a team that helps shape the medical standards of the MBTA and ensures that employees are healthy, ready, and fit for duty, ultimately contributing to the safety, reliability, and success of the MBTA's essential services. The role provides leadership in occupational health policy, programs, and medical standards for employment. The Associate Medical Director will also assist in the oversight of the MBTA NON-TREATING medical clinic to facilitate physical assessment of MBTA employees/applicants for fitness for duty, and to perform physical examinations to determine fitness for work and/or hire. Typical work hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Duties & Responsibilities
Medical Examinations and Fitness for Duty Assessments
- Serve as Medical Examiner and perform Department of Transportation (DOT), non-DOT, pre-employment, and annual physical examinations as required by regulation and policy.
- Interpret tests, analyses, and diagnostic images to determine applicant/employee fit for work status.
- Review complex medical documentation and findings and consult with employees and his/her physician to determine fitness for duty.
- Monitor employees with certain ongoing health conditions for treatment compliance and fitness for duty.
- Work closely with the Employee Assistance Program to monitor Medically Assisted Treatment (MAT) and mental health conditions for treatment compliance and fitness for duty.
- Supervise Physician Assistant (s) (PA) and Nurse Practitioner (s) (NP) including Chart Reviews.
- Develop relationships with senior HR, clinical, and leaders at MBTA to understand their needs as it relates to Occupational Health Services.
- Regularly engage in case and chart review and have a systematic approach to performance review that incorporates evaluating the OHS services provided by each staff. As needed, develop a corrective action, coaching and monitoring plan to address areas of concern identified in performance evaluation.
- Engage with staff to provide feedback and coaching in a positive and proactive manner and exemplifying the role of an occupational health professional.
- Participate in a rotating on-call schedule with other providers, which includes occasional overnight and weekend coverage to ensure operational needs are met. This typically involves one (1) Saturday per month and two (2) to three (3) overnight shifts per year, primarily related to facilitating CDL exams for overnight staff. Work schedules are adjusted to offset hours worked during these periods, and the role does not perform overtime work.
Policy, Compliance, and Program Development
- Ensure that the OHS programs are compliant with governmental and regulatory requirements.
- Develop policies and procedures for Medical Operations and ensures staff are trained and adhere to them.
- Provide leadership in occupational health policy, programs, and issues, including medical standards for employment.
- Annually define and regularly track performance goals for OHS
Consultation and Collaboration
- Provide consultation to MBTA Human Resources staff, senior leadership, and managers on occupational health matters including the interpretation of regulations and standards, potential organizational exposure and liability, fitness for duty cases, job accommodations, and injury and exposure prevention.
Legal and Administration
- Prepare cases and appear as an expert medical witness in arbitrations and unemployment insurance. Provide testimony as required.
- Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.
Supervision- Manage and supervise the medical professional staff, consultants, and contracted clinical team members.
Minimum Requirements & Qualifications
- Medical Degree from an accredited medical college
- DOT Certified Medical Examiner certification (required).
- Five (5) years of knowledge of medical practice related to occupational health.
- Two (2) years leadership - people management or large projects.
- Knowledge of workplace health and safety concepts.
- Knowledge of 49 CFR Part 391, Qualifications of Drivers.
- Knowledge of 49 CFR parts 40, 219, 382 and 655.
- Ability to work limited evening or weekend shifts on a rotating basis (e.g., one (1) Saturday per month and two (2) to three (3) overnight shifts per year). Offset hours will be provided in lieu of overtime.
- Demonstrated interpersonal and collaboration skills.
- Superior verbal and communication skills.
- Skill in developing and maintaining records, writing reports, and responding to correspondence.
- Skill in developing and maintaining medical quality assurance and quality control standards.
- Ability to react calmly, objectively, and effectively in emergency situations.
- Strong organizational skills, attention to detail.
- Strong interpersonal skills.
- Proven ability to work successfully with diverse populations and demonstrated commitment to promote and enhance diversity and inclusion.
Substitutions Include
- A nationally recognized certification, or statewide/professional certification in a related field substitutes for one (1) year of experience.
Preferred Experience and Skills- Board Certified in Occupational Medicine.
- Medical Review Officer (MRO) certification preferred.
Job Conditions:
- Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English.
- Ability to commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area, as required by the role.
- Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences.
- Ability to work effectively independently and as part of a team (or supervise, if required).
- Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers.
- Ability to adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the MBTA, including the EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies.
- Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless if current student or recent graduate), including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection).
- Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and / or medical Clinic screening, potentially including a physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings.
- Ability to work all shifts and / or locations assigned, directed, or necessary for this position, including (for some transit / operations roles) up to twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as necessary to accommodate severe weather conditions, emergencies, or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service.
- Intern / co-op staff must be enrolled full or part-time in an accredited educational program and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for the entire duration of the internship / co-op.
Disclaimers and Definitions:
- General Disclaimer: The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe a summary, general nature, and complexity of typical job functions and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required of staff assigned to this position.
- Application Completion: It is each applicant’s responsibility to ensure application details are entered completely and correctly, including updated work and education histories (past and current). Incomplete applications may not be considered. Attachments do not substitute for application fields. Recruitment team does not have access to existing employee data / history.
- Application Deadlines: Applicants should apply as soon as possible, as the MBTA may stop considering applicants after a sufficiently large applicant pool is established.
- Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here-in are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. See job description for role-specific requirements.
- Work Eligibility: Although the MBTA is an Equal Opportunity Employer, all employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer and on an unrestricted basis (the MBTA does not sponsor non-US citizens). However, if you have an unrestricted work authorization, or sponsored by a separate entity, you are welcome to apply for open positions. International students taking part in CPT / STEM / OPT programs through a university are eligible for internships and co-ops with the MBTA. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to complete a Form I-9 to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.
- Interviews: Candidates should ensure they arrive on time, are prepared, can remain for the duration, and if remote, are in a quiet place without distraction, for the interview. Candidates who do not attend their interview without advance authorization, including an email confirmation of a rescheduled time/date from Human Resources, will be considered a no-show and disqualified from consideration for the position. Related to rescheduling, on a one-time basis, and due to something emergent, you may be allowed to reschedule the interview. In addition, Human Resources may require documentation supporting the request. However, should you need to reschedule, you will need to contact your Recruiter directly by email.
- Safety Sensitive Positions: Employees working in this classification will be subject to periodic physical examinations plus random drug and alcohol testing.
- On-call or 24/7 Positions: Employees working in this classification must be available to respond to page / text / call and report to work as determined by assigned department or the Authority.
- Essential / Emergency Staff: During declared "states of emergency," employees working in this classification are required to report to work for their assigned work hours or as directed by management.
- ADA Accommodations: The MBTA makes reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation during this process, please contact the MBTA's ADA Unit at 617-222-5751 or hradaaa@mbta.com.
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The MBTA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. For terms, descriptions, and definitions related to diversity, equity, inclusion, veteran status, and immediate family members that you may find on the application form, please visit mbta.com/careers-app-definitions.


