Director of Clinical Services Planned Parenthood of Southern New England
Location: Connecticut and Rhode Island (multi-site regional responsibility)
The Organization Planned Parenthood of Southern New England (PPSNE) is one of the region’s most respected and mission-driven health care organizations, serving communities across Connecticut and Rhode Island through a broad network of health centers and virtual care services. As part of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA), PPSNE is committed to advancing reproductive freedom, expanding access to high-quality health care, and ensuring health equity for all people.
PPSNE provides comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care services to more than 60,000 patients annually through 15 health centers and a virtual health center that serves patients across Connecticut and Rhode Island. The organization is recognized for delivering patient-centered, evidence-based care, being a leading provider of sexual and reproductive health education, and as a trusted advocate for reproductive freedom.
PPSNE’s services include family planning, abortion care, primary care, gender-affirming care, HIV prevention and screening, cancer screenings, STI testing and treatment, contraception, wellness care, and community-based health education. Through an unwavering commitment to dignity, belonging, and equity, PPSNE works to reduce disparities in health outcomes and remove barriers to care for historically underserved communities.
PPSNE operates in a rapidly evolving health care and political environment in which reproductive health access has become increasingly critical. The organization has continued to strengthen its regional impact through operational innovation, telehealth expansion, strategic partnerships, community engagement, and investment in patient-centered clinical services.
History and Mission Planned Parenthood has played a foundational role in advancing reproductive health and reproductive rights in the United States for more than a century. PPSNE brings that mission directly to communities throughout Southern New England, building a legacy of trusted care, advocacy, and education.
Throughout its history, PPSNE has expanded both its geographic reach and the breadth of services offered to patients, evolving from a traditional reproductive health provider into a comprehensive health care organization focused on whole-person care and equitable access. The organization has remained steadfast in its commitment to ensuring that all individuals — regardless of socioeconomic status, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, immigration status, or geography — have access to compassionate, affordable, and high-quality care.
The organization’s mission is grounded in the belief that health care is a human right and that every person deserves the ability to make informed decisions about their body, health, and future.
Organizational Culture and Values PPSNE fosters a collaborative, values-driven culture grounded in its “In This Together” framework, which reflects a shared commitment to supporting one another, advancing equity, and delivering high-quality care. This culture is defined by a set of core workplace values that guide how employees engage with one another, patients, and the broader community:
We Tend to the Team: fostering a culture of respect, collaboration, and shared accountability
We Respect and Honor All People: centering diversity, belonging, and inclusion in all interactions
We Jump In: working collaboratively and proactively to meet organizational and patient needs
We Try and We Learn: embracing continuous learning, reflection, and improvement
We Care for Our Business: ensuring responsible stewardship, operational excellence, and sustainability
We Return to Our Mission: remaining grounded in purpose and a commitment to high-quality, patient-centered care
Together, these values create a culture grounded in equity, accountability, continuous improvement, and a strong commitment to patients and community.
Performance and Strategic Priorities PPSNE is widely recognized as a leading provider of reproductive and sexual health care in the region. The organization has demonstrated resilience and adaptability amid shifting regulatory environments, workforce challenges, evolving patient expectations, and increasing demand for accessible reproductive health services.
Key organizational priorities include:
Expanding access to care across Connecticut and Rhode Island
Delivering exemplary patient-centered experiences
Growing visit volumes and improving patient outcomes
Integrating in-person and virtual care delivery models
Expanding mission-aligned services to meet evolving community needs
Advancing health equity and addressing disparities in care outcomes
Enhancing operational efficiency and scalability
Strengthening partnerships and community engagement
Investing in workforce development and organizational culture
PPSNE is positioned for continued growth as it seeks to meet rising demand for accessible reproductive and primary health care services while maintaining operational excellence and clinical quality.
Achievements PPSNE has built a strong reputation as one of the leading reproductive and sexual health organizations in the Northeast and is widely recognized for excellence in patient care, advocacy, education, and operational innovation.
Key organizational achievements and distinguishing strengths include:
Serving more than 60,000 patients annually across Connecticut and Rhode Island through a network of 15 health centers and virtual care services
Establishing one of the region’s most trusted brands in reproductive and sexual health care
Expanding access to telehealth and integrated care delivery models to improve convenience, reach, and patient outcomes
Advancing comprehensive reproductive health services, including abortion care, gender-affirming care, HIV prevention, and primary care
Maintaining a strong reputation for patient-centered, evidence-based, and culturally responsive care
Developing clinical partnerships and community collaborations that strengthen regional health equity efforts
Demonstrating resilience and operational agility amid rapidly changing legislative and health care environments
Building a highly mission-driven culture grounded in equity, belonging, advocacy, and social justice
Continuing to expand impact through clinical research, health education, and community engagement initiatives
Serving as a leading voice and advocate for reproductive freedom and equitable access to health care throughout Southern New England
PPSNE’s ability to balance mission impact with operational excellence has positioned the organization as a respected leader within both the Planned Parenthood Federation and the broader nonprofit health care community.
The Opportunity Position: Director of Clinical Services Location: Connecticut and Rhode Island (multi-site regional responsibility) Reporting Relationship: Dr. Nancy Stanwood Chief Medical Officer
Purpose of the Position PPSNE seeks an experienced, mission-driven licensed clinician who is a healthcare leader to serve as Director of Clinical Services. This individual will provide strategic and operational leadership for clinical services across PPSNE’s health centers, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, equitable, person-centered reproductive and sexual healthcare services.
The Director of Clinical Services will partner closely with the Chief Medical Officer, Medical Director, Clinical Support Team, and operational leaders to oversee clinical practice standards, workforce development, regulatory compliance, clinical quality, and patient experience initiatives across Connecticut and Rhode Island. The role combines clinical leadership, systems thinking, operational excellence, and a deep commitment to health equity and reproductive freedom.
As a key member of the Clinical Support Team, the Director will lead and mentor clinical leaders, guide policy development and implementation, oversee laboratory and clinical coordination functions, and serve as an organizational resource on urgent and ongoing clinical issues. The Director will also maintain active clinical practice and contribute to direct patient care delivery.
The successful candidate will be a collaborative, culturally responsive healthcare leader who thrives in fast-paced environments and demonstrates a strong commitment to social justice, inclusion, and improving health outcomes for historically underserved communities.
Key Responsibilities
Clinical Leadership & Operational Oversight
Direct, coordinate, and evaluate clinical services across PPSNE health centers in collaboration with the Chief Medical Officer and Medical Director.
Ensure delivery of accessible, high-quality, patient-centered reproductive and sexual healthcare services.
Lead initiatives focused on improving healthcare access, reducing disparities, and advancing health equity outcomes.
Provide leadership for implementation of new clinical services, programs, and operational priorities.
Partner with center managers and regional leaders to ensure efficient and effective clinical operations.
Support urgent clinical issue resolution and organizational
Regulatory Compliance & Clinical Standards
Ensure compliance with PPFA, federal, state, and local regulatory standards and requirements.
Lead development, revision, and implementation of clinical policies, procedures, and medical standards.
Adapt and operationalize PPFA clinical protocols for PPSNE environments.
Chair the Policies and Procedures Committee.
Maintain relationships with state health departments and regulatory agencies.
Oversee laboratory compliance, licensing, and regulatory adherence, including CLIA requirements.
Partner with the Director of Quality Improvement to implement and sustain continuous quality improvement initiatives.
Clinical Workforce Leadership
Lead recruitment, selection, onboarding, and retention strategies for clinicians and licensed healthcare
Partner with regional directors and center managers to identify staffing requirements and workforce planning needs.
Support clinician development through mentoring, training, education programs, and performance
Facilitate clinician conferences and ongoing professional development
Participate in employee relations and performance review
Manage participation in National Health Service Corps programs and clinician support
Team Leadership & Supervision
Provide direct leadership, mentorship, and oversight for: Lead Clinicians, Orchard Lab Manager, and Clinical and Research Coordinator.
Key supervisory responsibilities include:
Supporting onboarding, clinical training, and professional development of
Ensuring effective laboratory operations and quality assurance
Providing operational direction and administrative support oversight for the Clinical Support
Clinical Quality & Patient Experience
Partner with clinical and operational leaders to strengthen patient experience and staff engagement.
Support implementation of quality assurance, compliance, and patient safety programs.
Collaborate across departments to optimize workflows, care delivery systems, and service quality.
Utilize data and outcomes metrics to inform operational and clinical decision-making with an equity lens.
External Partnerships & Systems Collaboration
Serve as a liaison to external healthcare partners, laboratories, vendors, and regulatory organizations.
Collaborate with EHR and technology partners to optimize clinical systems, charting, coding, and reporting capabilities.
Support implementation of changing regulatory requirements and operational standards.
Develop partnerships with educational institutions and oversee student clinical placements and preceptor arrangements.
Clinical Practice & Consultation
Maintain active clinical practice, delivering direct patient care approximately one day per week.
Provide clinical consultation and support to healthcare teams regarding timely and ongoing clinical concerns.
Serve as a trusted clinical resource across PPSNE health centers.
Organizational Leadership & Culture
Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and mission-driven work culture.
Promote diversity, belonging, equity, and culturally responsive care throughout clinical operations.
Support emergency preparedness and organizational special projects as needed.
Demonstrate flexibility, accountability, and strong cross-functional partnership capabilities.
The Candidate Experience and Professional Qualifications The ideal candidate will be a respected clinical leader who combines operational excellence with a strong commitment to reproductive justice, health equity, and compassionate patient care. They will possess the credibility to lead clinicians and interdisciplinary teams while also driving organizational priorities and systems-level improvements.
This leader will bring emotional intelligence, sound judgment, and the ability to navigate complexity in a fast-paced healthcare environment. They will be highly collaborative, adaptable, and skilled at building trust across diverse stakeholder groups.
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
A passionate commitment to PPSNE’s mission and values.
Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence across teams and functions.
Exceptional relationship-building and communication skills.
The ability to lead through change and ambiguity.
A data-informed and outcomes-oriented approach to decision-making.
Deep understanding of healthcare equity and culturally responsive care delivery.
Strong operational and organizational management capabilities.
Comfort balancing strategic leadership with hands-on execution.
The ideal candidate will possess:
Required Qualifications
Graduation from an accredited Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, Physician Associate, Nurse Midwife, or Medical Doctor (MD or DO) training program with concentration in adult, family practice, or women’s health.
Current professional certification (ANCC, NCC, ACNM, NCCPA, or MD/DO equivalent).
Once hired, will require active licensure in Connecticut and Rhode Island.
CPR certification.
Minimum of five (5) years of reproductive health experience in direct patient care settings.
Demonstrated experience leading or supporting multidisciplinary healthcare teams.
Experience working within regulated healthcare environments requiring strict compliance standards.
Preferred Qualifications
Minimum of three (3) years of management or supervisory experience.
Clinical teaching, mentoring, or preceptor experience.
Experience in ambulatory care, reproductive health, or community-based healthcare systems.
Experience implementing clinical programs, policies, and operational improvements.
Familiarity with quality improvement methodologies and healthcare accreditation standards.
Experience with EHR systems (Epic strongly preferred), healthcare data analysis, and operational reporting.
Skills and Competencies
The successful candidate will demonstrate excellence in the following competencies:
Leadership & Management
Collaborative and inclusive leadership style.
Ability to motivate, mentor, and develop high-performing teams.
Strong organizational and project management skills.
Effective change management and implementation capabilities.
Experience clarifying decision-making process and demonstrated judgment in knowing when and how to gather meaningful input.
Clinical & Regulatory Expertise
Strong understanding of reproductive and sexual healthcare delivery.
Deep understanding of health inequity and its historical and continued impact on patients, communities, and healthcare systems
Knowledge of healthcare regulations, accreditation standards, and compliance requirements.
Experience developing and implementing clinical policies and procedures.
Ability to manage clinical quality and patient safety
Communication & Relationship Building
Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
Demonstrates an ability to work effectively across difference and build trust with a diversity of people.
Brings a high level of self-awareness, empathy, and humility to interpersonal interactions across all dimensions of difference
Skilled facilitator and cross-functional collaborator.
Strong conflict resolution and problem-solving
Strategic & Operational Thinking
Systems-thinking orientation with focus on outcomes and impact.
Ability to balance strategic priorities with operational execution.
Strong analytical and data-informed decision-making capabilities.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and complex initiatives
Equity, Belonging & Cultural Responsiveness
Deep commitment to belonging and equity.
Understanding of structural health inequities and their impact on healthcare delivery.
Demonstrated ability to lead across differences with empathy and humility.
Commitment to culturally responsive patient care and workplace
Technical & Administrative Skills
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and healthcare technology systems.
Experience utilizing electronic health records (EHR) systems.
Strong attention to detail and process management capabilities.
Ability to travel routinely between health centers and organizational
