Job Overview
The Clinical Research Unit Director role will be expected to fulfill to the best of their ability and in a manner consistent with the generally prevailing standards of the research division by the Senior Vice Dean - Research (SVDR), medical practice and clinical administrative duties assigned by the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) as delegated to the Medical Director-PCCP, and educational and academic duties assigned by the Chair of the Department (Chair). It is anticipated that approximately 70% of the Clinical Research Unit Director’s assigned time will be devoted to research and administrative duties, and approximately 30% of assigned time will be devoted to clinical services to outpatients and inpatients and/or the education of medical students, residents, and/or fellows. The foregoing allocation of time may be modified by the SVDR, CMO and Chair, after consultation with the incumbent, at their discretion.
The Partnership Comprehensive Care Practice (PCCP or Partnership), an integrated clinical practice site associated with the Community Health Division at the Drexel University College of Medicine, has provided care for individuals living with HIV in Philadelphia since 1993. As one of the largest HIV care clinics in the region serving close to 1700 patients, the Partnership provides comprehensive, coordinated, primary HIV care with a multidisciplinary approach to care in a one-stop-shop model of care for patients living with HIV infection. In addition to providing state-of-art treatment of HIV infected patients, the clinic is actively involved in research to develop new ways to treat and control HIV infection and is part of a national clinical trials network called the AIDS Clinical Trials Group. The Partnership is involved in teaching the next generation of physicians and nurses to care for patients with HIV in collaboration with the Mid-Atlantic AIDS Education and Training Center.
Drexel's Division of Infectious Diseases Clinical Research Unit (CRU) is located on the 3rd floor at 1427 Vine Street in Philadelphia, one floor above the Partnership Comprehensive Care Practice. The clinical research team guides patients through all stages of the research process and provides expert coordination of health care services for all of our participants. The CRU is expanding its translational research program, and investigating cutting-edge technologies, vaccines, and therapeutic treatments for the management and prevention of HIV and other infectious diseases. The CRU provides an environment to conduct high-quality, compliant clinical research. The unit provides both inpatient and outpatient settings for research participants involved in studies by investigators. The CRU includes examination and procedure rooms, including a room dedicated to pharmacokinetic studies, a pharmacy to store study medications and vaccines in a secure, temperature-controlled environment, a conference room, and research staff offices. In addition, the CRU contains a wet laboratory space that is broken into 3 sections: 1) the entry space for specimen receipt and logging, anteroom for PPE dressing and office area; 2) the BSL2 laboratory contains a negative pressurized space that houses a BSL2+ laboratory; and 3) a third room for cryogenic freezers with back-up generator power for long term cryogenic storage of specimens. Trained regulatory, quality assurance, nursing and laboratory staff provide a safe, controlled environment for investigators to conduct state-of-the-art patient-oriented research studies.
Under the primary direction of the Senior Vice Dean - Research, and in collaboration with the medical director of the PCCP, a team of Infectious Disease physicians, advanced practice providers, and clinical research staff will define and develop areas for clinical investigative research growth and lay the foundation for expanded research opportunities. Particular needs and opportunities include expertise in clinical aspects of HIV-1 and other emerging infectious diseases, with opportunities to collaborate with faculty at the Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health, faculty in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology and other clinical and basic science departments across Drexel University with complimentary expertise in immunology, vaccines, emerging infectious diseases, neurovirology, immune engineering, and genomics.
In addition to research effort, the academic HIV/infectious disease faculty physician will also have a percent effort in the Partnership Comprehensive Care Practice seeing patients as an HIV specialist. The PCCP is a long-standing, multidisciplinary, Ryan White-funded clinic which provides primary and specialty care to 1700 people with HIV in the Philadelphia area. Faculty members participate in patient care, research, and teaching students and other trainees.
This is the primary research leadership position within the Division of Infectious Diseases & HIV Medicine and the Partnership Comprehensive Care Practice. The CRU Director develops an active, extramurally funded research program and participate in institutional, educational, and clinical initiatives. It is expected that the research program will achieve national recognition for its quality and impact in terms of discovery of new knowledge, funding at NIH and other federal, governmental and foundation sponsors. The CRU Director works with the faculty of the Division and Partnership, together with the Senior Vice Dean for Research, to grow industry sponsored research.
The Clinical Research Unit Director has the resources to conduct independent translational/clinical research. Committed resources include space associated with the dedicated Clinical Research Unit at Drexel University College of Medicine Division of Infectious Diseases & HIV Medicine, and support personnel including a business administrator, clinical research manager, regulatory coordinator, quality assurance manager and research nurse.
Knowledge
Seasoned, experienced professional with a full understanding of area of specialization; resolves a wide range of issues in creative ways. This is the fully qualified, career-oriented, journey-level role.
Complexity
Works on problems of diverse scope where analysis of data requires evaluation of identifiable factors. Demonstrates good judgment in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions. Networks with senior internal and external personnel in own area of expertise. Interprets less clearly defined issues; identifies problems and possible solutions and takes appropriate action to resolve.
Degree of Supervision
Normally receives little instruction or supervision on day-to-day work, general instructions on new assignments.
Typical Experience
Requires an MD or MD/PhD degree from an accredited medical school; and a minimum of 3 years of progressively complex administrative experience (e.g., program leader, center/section director, etc.) in an academic medical center setting
Principle Duties
The Clinical Research Director plays a vital role in managing the research objectives for the Division to ensure quality independent translational/clinical research.
The CRU Director will provide administrative and grant-writing direction and coordination of current and long-range policies, procedures and programs affecting the research operations to ensure operational efficiency and minimize redundancy.
The CRU Director will create and support an environment which empowers and expects researchers and staff to: serve as ambassadors, participate in department decisions; negotiate care needs of patients; contribute to the research agenda; accept responsibility for their contribution to patient outcomes and for their own growth and professional competencies.
The CRU Director will:
- Manage clinical research staff, setting personnel and training standards.
- Partner with Medical Director, PCCP in collaborative dyad leadership model for clinical research unit and clinic.
- Oversee research budgets and resource allocation.
- Provide oversight for ongoing and planned product trials within the HIV therapeutic area.
- Direct responsibility for the overall research strategy and clinical and scientific development activities.
- Provide strategy for research growth and continued/new funding opportunities.
- Obtain externally funded clinical research grants and contracts.
- Be responsible for all management and scientific aspects of conceptualizing and planning clinical trials.
- Provide mentorship to junior faculty, fellows, residents and medical students in research and scholarship.
- Build a portfolio of scholarship.
- Build collaborative research networks across the Drexel University, the Philadelphia region, the nation, and at the international level.
Administrative/Business Advisory
- Represent the organization at various community and/or business meetings, committees, and task forces; promotes existing and new programs and/or policies.
Quality Research and Patient Care
- Work on Continuous Quality Improvement Projects in collaboration with the Quality Assurance Coordinator and PCCP Medical Director.
- Review, establish, and maintain research protocols and standards, ensuring that all federal and State policies, regulations, and guidelines are met; establish and coordinate quality improvement, safety, and infection control programs, including COVID-19.
- Follow established departmental policies, procedures, and objectives, continuous quality improvement objectives, and safety, environmental, and/or infection control standards.
- Maintain confidentiality of workplace information according to the policies and procedures of the institution and in accordance with Pennsylvania State Law Act 148.
- Serve as consultant and provide expert advice and guidance within the institution, as well as within the community.
Committee involvement
- CQI Committee meetings.
- Serve on institutional committees, including research leadership.
Professional Development
- Identify learning needs and develop methods for meeting goals.
- Maintain current knowledge base of Infectious Disease and HIV care through independent study, conference attendance, and participation in appropriate professional activities and organizations.
- Maintain current certification(s).
PCCP Clinic Specific Duties
- Be a Principal Investigator on research proposals and grants.
- Ensure oversight of research training of students, residents and external trainees, and collaborate on HIV Continuity Clinic for hospital-affiliated ID fellows.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Possess high level of subject matter expertise
- Possess good written, oral, and interpersonal skills
- Ability to clearly communicate policies, procedures, and decisions
- Possess a strong customer service focus
- Ability to maintain confidentiality
Education and Experience
- MD, or MD/PhD degree from an accredited medical school;
- Current state of Pennsylvania medical license
- Must be a competent physician, administrator, and a team player who is committed to improving medical and psychosocial outcomes for underserved adults.
- Be eligible for a Drexel University College of Medicine academic appointment at the Associate Professor level or higher.
- Board certified (or participating in Maintenance of Certification (MOC) if lapsed) in Infectious Disease
- Greater than 3 years of progressively complex administrative experience (e.g., program leader, center/section director, etc.) in an academic medical center setting.
- Demonstrated track record of national distinction in clinical care and research discovery or support in an academic department of medicine or comparable environment.
- Demonstrated commitment to patient care, reflecting a service oriented, team based philosophy with health professional colleagues from all disciplines, departments and specialties.
- Demonstrate accountability, professionalism, openness, receptivity to change, creativity and innovation.
- Ability to communicate effectively and to work independently and in collaboration with colleagues
- Values diversity and inclusivity in all aspects of the operation and clinical care
- Successful track record of recruitment and/or development of faculty, trainees, and students.
- Evidence of successful program building.
Additional Preferred Qualifications
- Additional health profession degree (e.g., PhD, MPH, MS, etc.)
- Experience in the development and successful implementation of new academic research programs and clinical trials.
- Demonstrates collaborative engagement with private practice community for mutual benefit in program development and patient care.
- Demonstrated outstanding leadership in major subspecialty division/section at an academic department of internal medicine.
- Past and/or continued clinical research funding (Federal, foundation, industry) with evidence of high impact scientific research including peer-reviewed publications in leading journals.
- National distinction through service on NIH study sections and/or national committee leadership in IDSA, AST or similar professional societies.
Values
Drexel Medicine has a specific set of values to set the tone for its clinical culture and expectations to provide quality, compassionate, patient-centered health care for all.
- Inclusion – meeting the unique medical, social, cultural and language needs of those we serve.
- Safety – ensuring a secure and supportive environment for everyone in which we respect privacy, reduce risk, prevent errors and avoid harm.
- Integrity – earning the confidence and trust of those we serve.
- Respect – treating all with dignity, recognizing and accepting others’ needs and values.
- Compassion – having sensitivity and showing concern for others.
- Innovation – accepting new ideas and actively creating ways to improve care.
- Teamwork – working together to provide the best care and outcomes.
Technical Competencies
Drexel Medicine has an ethical responsibility for the safety of patients. Patient safety and well-being are therefore major factors in establishing requirements involving the physical, cognitive, and emotional abilities of its clinical providers. The essential abilities and characteristics described herein are also referred to as “technical standards.” The broad categories include:
- Observation
- Communication
- Motor function
- Intellectual-conceptual (integrative and quantitative) abilities
- Behavioral and social skills
In addition to these standards, clinical providers must have the physical and emotional stamina to function in a competent and safe manner in settings that may involve heavy workloads, long hours, and stressful situations.
Physical Demands and Work Environment
- Typically, able to remain in a stationary position.
- Typically, the person in this position needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
- Occasionally ascends/descends a ladder to service the lights and ceiling fans.
- Typically, moves machinery/office supplies up to 20 pounds across office for various needs.
- Ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
- Ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
- Work in outdoor weather conditions.
- Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer
Location
Center City, Philadelphia, PA
Special Instructions to the Applicant
Please make sure you upload your CV/resume and cover letter when submitting your application.
Review of applicants will begin once a suitable candidate pool is identified.
