Division Chief, Surgical Oncology (Associate Professor - Professor Rank)

About the role

The Rutgers Cancer Institute seeks a Division Chief of Surgical Oncology to lead a program within the state’s only NCI‑designated Comprehensive Cancer Center and the RWJBarnabas Health system. The division comprises five specialty sections (complex general surgical oncology, hepatobiliary surgery, endocrine surgery, cutaneous and soft tissue surgery, and breast surgery) and shares cancer surgical services with surgery, head and neck surgery, and neurosurgery departments at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. The appointment is faculty‑based at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School with a resident faculty appointment at the Cancer Institute, working closely with RWJBarnabas Health colleagues and reporting to the Cancer Institute’s Chief Surgical Officer and Director. The Division Chief serves as the liaison to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and the RWJBarnabas Health Oncology Service Line for all operational and programmatic surgical oncology matters.

Responsibilities

• Provide oversight for all operational and programmatic aspects within the discipline of surgical oncology (GI, HPB, Melanoma/sarcoma, Breast, Endocrine, Research) and is responsible for oversight of the clinical practice, clinical research activities, and mentorship of the researchers/providers assigned.
• Support collaboration between members of various specialty clinical research programs.
• Support participation by surgical oncologists in cooperative group, industry sponsored and investigator‑initiated research.
• Publish scholarly articles regularly with an emphasis on collaborative reports from Surgical Oncology.
• Successfully initiate and sustain external funding to support investigator‑initiated research programs.
• Collaborate with colleagues throughout the RWJBH oncology service line for clinical trial research in surgical oncology.
• Support responsible stewardship of philanthropic funds in collaboration with the Rutgers Foundation and Division members.
• Participate in the teaching of students, residents, and fellows as part of the educational mission of RBHS.
• Mentor and develop junior faculty within the Division in accordance with the RBHS Appointments and Promotions Guidelines.
• Participate in executive‑level leadership meetings as needed, representing Surgical Oncology.
• Maintain clinical activity by full participation in program clinical workload (60‑70%).
• Support clinical faculty/staff productivity in accordance with established benchmarks.
• Review Division clinical performance to ensure quality of care and efficient use of resources.
• Assist the Chief Surgical Officer, Rutgers Cancer Institute and Department Chair in relevant short and long range planning, funding procurement and sustainability.
• Direct professional activities and projects to ensure excellence within the area of surgical oncology.
• Collaborate with the Chief Surgical Officer, relevant Chiefs and oncology service line leadership to recruit and retain surgical oncology faculty and staff.
• Collaborate closely with local cancer institute and RWJUH nursing and administrative leadership for optimization of ambulatory and inpatient operations, efficiency, and patient experience.
• Work with the relevant RWJMS departments to ensure that patients receive comprehensive, state‑of‑the‑art care in the surgical oncology clinic.
• Oversee clinical and research resources of the Division to ensure optimal use and best practices.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory agency requirements (e.g., JC).
• Collaborate with RWJBH oncology service line leadership for innovation and integration of surgical care and related services throughout the region.
• Understand and adhere to RBHS compliance standards as they appear in RBHS (legacy UMDNJ) Corporate Compliance Policy and Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest Policy.

Qualifications

• Nationally recognized clinical researcher and surgical oncologist
• Proven leadership experience
• Distinguished record of original clinical research
• Exceptional clinical and educational skills
• Commitment to the Institute’s mission