Physician

UTMB Center for Polar Medical Operations

Job Summary:

Provides professional medical services related to diagnosis and treatment of United States Antarctic Program (USAP) participants. Ensures that appropriate health care is accessible and provided to all patients in a timely fashion. Ensures all medical care provided is done in accordance with established Policies and Procedures. Directs all Clinical Service activities on assigned station in Antarctica and assumes ultimate responsibility for the delivery of medical care provided by Physicians, Nurses, Residents, and Advanced Practice Providers assigned to the station and/or field camps. Physicians at Palmer Station will also provide consultation to Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT’s) on vessels. Works under the general direction of the Chief Medical Officer – UTMB Center for Polar Medical Operations, with extensive latitude for the exercise of initiative and independent judgment. Expected to be present in clinic during normal operational hours and be the primary caregiver for patients. May delegate patients to other providers as practical, but is expected to deliver care to the majority of clinic patients, and foster a collegial, collaborative clinical work environment for all. Models respect and professionalism for the entire medical team.

Essential Job Functions:

• Performs complete medical histories and physical examinations; forms clinical impressions based upon findings; orders / conducts diagnostic tests, interprets results of laboratory tests and radiologic examinations, prescribes medications, and renders treatments appropriate to clinical
• Periodically inspects, completes, and analyzes medical records of all providers within the clinic; assigns, reviews, and updates medical classifications; completes admission notes, progress notes, and discharge summaries and makes rounds on in-patient
• Refers patients to specialists for consultations, evaluations, and treatments through Telemedicine and as deemed
• Serves in rotation with other healthcare providers to provide after-hours and weekend patient care (where applicable).
• Manages (Winter Only) and/or assists in oversight of all station medical department operations; works in a dyadic relationship with the Nurse Administrator (Summer Only, McMurdo Station) to assure compliance with all applicable standards, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and to achieve operational goals.
• Collaborates with the Nurse Administrator, supporting stations, Galveston Headquarters Management Team, and program leadership to develop, implement and monitor a data driven quality improvement plan and effectively compiles data for purposes of identifying opportunities for performance and process improvements and makes recommendations for change and quality improvement
• Coordinates with the CPMO CMO regarding all potential MEDEVAC patients and informs CMO on all planned medical administrative Coordinates with the CPMO CMO regarding all potential MEDEVAC patients and informs CMO on all planned medical administrative
• Assists with the development, implementation, compliance and auditing of policies, procedures and protocols to ensure services meet regulatory / contractual compliance requirements with National Science Foundation(NSF) USAP
• Serves as a liaison between internal and external healthcare providers, medical staff, and ancillary
• Adheres to internal controls and reporting structure. Notably, the physician directly reports to the CPMO CMO, but works in a collaborative fashion with McMurdo station management
• Coordinates with the CPMO CMO regarding all potential MEDEVAC patients and informs CMO on all planned medical administrative

Marginal or Periodic Job Functions:

Performs a variety of marginal duties not listed, to be determined and assigned as needed.

Minimum Qualifications:

Medical Doctor Degree, with a minimum of 3 years of practice experience, hold a current license to practice medicine in the US or a recognized US territory and must hold current Drug Enforcement Agency controlled substance registration certificate. Certification with American Heart Association in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) required. Certification in Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) preferred and Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) required every two years. Must be a US citizen and hold a valid US passport. Competency in basic procedures needed in trauma situations (i.e. splinting, suturing, IV insertion, airway management).

Desired Qualifications:

Board-Certification in Emergency Medicine or Family Medicine with experience working in remote environments with limited medical support.

Equal Opportunity Employment:

UTMB Health strives to provide equal opportunity employment without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information or veteran status. As a VEVRAA Federal Contractor, UTMB Health takes affirmative action to hire and advance women, minorities, protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.