Clinical Ethicist
The University of California, San Diego
About this position
Position Description
The University of California San Diego (UCSD) Health System is actively recruiting for a Clinical Ethicist to join its evolving Clinical Ethics Program, which started 16 years ago. This position will report to the Ethics Program Manager and join a rotation of on-call Clinical Ethicists in conducting clinical ethics consultations across the enterprise. The successful applicant will have an opportunity to facilitate and expand existing clinical ethics rounds across the institution, deliver ethics education (both in the Medical School and in the Health System), steer policy development, serve as an expert adviser to a large academic medical center’s ethics committee, and have protected time to devote to ethics quality improvement, research, and scholarship. The Health System boasts a fully integrated, collaborative approach to addressing ethical issues and this position is key to further developing that approach and the system’s mission of becoming a highly reliable, learning health system. Please take note of the preferred qualifications for this position and reach out with any questions. Additional responsibilities for this role include: Rotates on- and off-call for the Ethics Consult Service, which provides 24 hour/365 clinical ethics consultation for patients, families, and clinical staff Plans, delivers and evaluates ethics education for health care providers, residents, students and community Develops, implements, and participates in ethics rounds for key clinical services Analyzes and improves ethics consultation methods where needed Coordinates and leads ethics-relevant quality improvement initiatives and research projects Serves as a member and expert advisor to the UC San Diego Health Medical Ethics Committee Develops, reviews and revises system policies and guidelines requiring ethical guidance or oversight Serves as a liaison and provides ethical guidance to relevant committees and high priority initiatives as needed Conducts collaborative and independent ethics scholarship with dissemination of work through publication and presentations UC San Diego Health has a mission to deliver outstanding patient care through commitment to the community, groundbreaking research and inspired teaching. It has repeatedly ranked as the #1 health care system in San Diego (#5 in California) and is among the nation’s best in 10 medical and surgical specialties. These distinctions proudly reflect upon our dedicated medical staff and our “A’s” for hospital safety from The Leapfrog Group. UCSD Health is the region's only academic medical center, regional burn center, first level I trauma center, includes two comprehensive stroke centers and a comprehensive multi-organ transplant program, among others. With a combined capacity of 1,101 licensed beds across three medical campuses, a nationally ranked cancer center and cardiovascular center, UCSD Health truly cares for some of the sickest and most complex patients in the region. Academically, UCSD Health Sciences offers 3 professional schools (medicine, pharmacy & public health), 20+ graduate degree programs, 1,700+ faculty members, and 3,000+ students, postdocs, residents, and fellows.
Qualifications
Eleven (11) years of related clinical ethics and clinical ethics consultation experience, education/training, OR a Bachelor’s degree in related area plus seven (7) years of related clinical ethics and clinical ethics consultation experience/training. Applies sound principles and standards in completing highly complex and technical assignments. Ability to gather, organize, analyze, and report on issues and recommendations that are complex in nature. Ability to apply policy and legal concepts to issues. Excellent interpersonal skills to work independently with all levels of University personnel, including management and faculty, and to facilitate agreement on issues and corrective actions. Ability to communicate complex information to all levels of management and administrators in a clear and concise manner both written and verbal. Excellent skills in complex decision making on critical issues. Excellent skills in presenting information in a thorough and complete manner.