Section Chief (FT) - Geriatrics

Overview

Section Chief of Geriatric Medicine

Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center 

 

JOB SUMMARY:

The Section Chief of Geriatrics is a physician member of the Section leadership team, which also includes the Practice Manager and the Nurse Manager.  Together this team is responsible for the overall direction, operation, and management of the Section of Geriatrics in accordance with its operational, educational, and research missions, which are aligned with the Department of Medicine, Dartmouth Health, and the Geisel School of Medicine. As a leadership team, they create a work environment of mutual respect and psychological safety, based on commitment to a shared purpose.

 

The Section Chief serves as a physician role model of appropriate, expert, compassionate, and high-value clinical care, of effective teaching of learners at all levels, and of respectful and inclusive relationships with interprofessional colleagues within the Section and throughout the Organization. The Section Chief is appointed by, reports to, and serves at the discretion of the Department Chair.

 

The Chief will work to lead the newly created Section of Geriatrics, developing a comprehensive plan for the care of older adults across inpatient, ambulatory, long-term care, rehab, and home settings. Goals include expanding the section's outreach and creating a comprehensive system-wide plan to meet the tripartite mission of providing outstanding clinical care, developing a rich educational environment for learners, and creating a milieu for cutting-edge research to improve the care of older adults and those with complex illnesses. 

 

The longer-term plan includes creating an interdisciplinary geriatrics fellowship, so experience running a graduate medical education program for learners of varying disciplines is desirable. Board certification in geriatrics is required, as is current licensure (or ability to be licensed) in New Hampshire and Vermont. The position will be a mix of clinical, administrative, and research/education activities, which will vary based on the candidate’s background.

 

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

 

In collaboration with the interprofessional leadership team, and with the support of the Chair and departmental leadership, assumes responsibility for these core job functions:

• Sets goals, objectives, and implementation strategies for the Section that are aligned with Departmental mission and goals. Communicates the need for and benefits of alignment around a shared purpose.
• Takes responsibility for the quality and quality improvement of patient care, teaching, research, and service in the Section.
• Shares in operational oversight for the Section’s clinical activities, designing and implementing methods for delivering high-quality care, ensuring good experiences for our patients and their care partners, and incorporating high-quality clinical educational experiences for students and trainees.
• Engages faculty and staff in understanding and responding creatively to operational and systems challenges.
• Appoints Associate Chiefs and/or Program Leaders within the Section, as appropriate, and in collaboration with Departmental leadership.
• Regularly attends Departmental Leadership meetings and participates in relevant leadership development opportunities

 

        2. Oversight of Fiscal and Operational Goals – in collaboration with leadership team

• Develops and actively monitors the annual operating budget, capital, and staffing plans for the Section, in alignment with Departmental and institutional plans.
• Develops justifications for and initiates requests for new and/or replacement faculty and staff through appropriate channels, and assures that appropriate search and recruitment methodologies are followed.
• Manages sectional discretionary, academic enhancement, and other accounts, in alignment with Departmental and institutional guidelines.
• Ensures appropriate practices related to patient billing and coding.
• Develops, maintains, and monitors an appropriate sectional compliance program in accordance with the Institutional Compliance Plan.
• Develops and maintains equitable faculty compensation strategies within the Section which are compatible with the institutional Physician Compensation Program and the Departmental philosophy and guidance.

 

Oversight of Personnel Management – in collaboration with the leadership team

• Creates a staffing plan that supports ongoing operation of clinical services to respond to clinical needs, while simultaneously working to support faculty and staff roles, ensuring equity in allocation of assignments.
• Reviews, develops, or modifies position descriptions for existing or ne