Chief Academic Officer, Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center

Job Overview:

The Chief Academic Officer (CAO) at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center (CBMC) is a pivotal physician executive, responsible for the overall strategic leadership of medical education at the hospital. The CAO will direct, coordinate, supervise and monitor undergraduate, graduate, and continuing medical education activities at CBMC and serve as the key representative to the RWJBH system and Rutgers Health for Medical Education. The CAO will serve as the senior research administrator, leading and harmonizing clinical research activities on campus, while cultivating interdisciplinary collaborations that advance scientific discovery and patient care. The CAO also has budgetary and strategic oversight of the CBMC simulation center and a medical library that currently provides services to multiple campuses across the health system.

The CAO will work closely with fellow Chief Academic Officers and academic leaders across RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Health, driving the collective academic mission of the enterprise. Through strategic partnerships with leaders in other health professions, the CAO will champion an interprofessional culture that enhances collaboration, scholarship, and excellence in healthcare education and research.

We seek a dynamic and visionary leader who is passionate about fostering innovation and academic excellence. The ideal candidate will bring fresh ideas, a creative approach, and a commitment to building and sustaining an outstanding educational experience for students and faculty alike.

Reports to:

• The Chief Academic Officer reports to the hospital Chief Medical Officer, the RWJBH Chief Medical Officer (or designee), and the ACGME Designated Institutional Official.

Essential Functions:

1. Academic Leadership:
• Provide strategic direction for all academic programs, ensuring alignment with institutional goals and industry standards.
• Collaborate with department chairs, program directors, site directors and faculty to enhance educational initiatives, curriculum development, and scholarly activities.
• Supervise curriculum development, assessment, and accreditation of medical education programs.
• Chair the hospital/campus Graduate Medical Education Council Subcommittee (GMEC)
• Coordinate with system DIO to facilitate the National Residency Match Program’s annual requirements
• Maintain a non-voting seat at the Medical Executive Committee and provide an annual report regarding the state of Medical Education to the organized medical staff
•  Support the preparation of verification and evaluation documents for previous residents, as requested by potential licensing and employment organizations.
• Participate in national organizations in an effort to raise the national prominence of the institution and its programs.
• Partner with both medical school and hospital leadership to generate Quality and Safety initiatives that align with system, hospital and GME goals, while maintaining a learning environment in compliance with ACGME CLER
• Support and partner with other health profession training programs to cultivate an interprofessional shared learning environment.

1. Residency and Fellowship Oversight:
• Manage and optimize the residency and fellowship programs, overseeing accreditation, compliance, and programmatic evaluations.
• Provide mentorship and support to program directors and site directors, fostering a positive learning environment, and ensuring their professional development.
• Oversee and collaborate with program directors to ensure compliance with ACGME (Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education) regulations and address any program citations promptly and effectively.

1. Champion professionalism of students and residents by recognizing excellence and addressing lapses.
2. Oversee remediation of faculty and trainees when necessary, in partnership with departmental and program leadership.
3. Develop and implement educational activities, both strategic and operational, including metrics to track and evaluate progress.

• Lead efforts to implement corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives based on ACGME feedback and program evaluations.
• Develop and implement strategies to create a supportive environment that encourages the retention of graduating trainees, including mentorship programs and career development opportunities.
• Oversee both new resident orientation and annual resident education, in close collaboration with departmental/programmatic leadership.

1. Undergraduate Medical Education (UME) Oversight:
• Provide leadership and oversight for UME, including the coordination of Rutgers medical students rotating at the hospital.
• Collaborate with medical school faculty to ensure the seamless integration of UME programs with the hospital's clinical environment.
• Support the development and implementation of clerkship and elective programs, fostering a positive educational experience for medical students.

1. Collaboration and Partnerships:
• Partner with leadership in other health profession training programs to create a culture of interprofessional collaboration and growth.
• Build and maintain strong collaborations with academic institutions, research organizations, and industry partners to enhance educational and research opportunities.
• Work closely with Chief Academic Officers at other health system sites to foster collaborative initiatives, share resources, and enhance academic synergy.
• Collaborate with faculty at Rutgers Medical School to strengthen educational and research partnerships.

1. Continuing Medical Education (CME) Oversight:
• Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy for CME, ensuring compliance with accreditation standards and facilitating the delivery of high-quality educational activities.
1. Maintain MSNJ accreditation of the CME program
• Collaborate with stakeholders to design, evaluate, and continuously improve CME programs that meet the evolving needs of medical professionals at the organization.
• Oversee CME credit recordkeeping. Collaborate, as opportunity allows, with Rutgers and other health system hospitals for consolidation of CME sponsorship initiatives.

1. Faculty Development:
• Implement comprehensive faculty development programs tailored to the needs of both employed and private practice faculty.
• Provide mentoring, resources, and support to core faculty members, fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional growth.
• Foster collaboration and knowledge exchange with faculty at Rutgers Medical School.

1. Medical Library Oversight:
• Provide strategic leadership for the medical library, ensuring it remains a dynamic resource for faculty, students, and researchers.
• Supervise a team of medical librarians, fostering professional development and ensuring high-quality services.
• Oversee library acquisitions, ensuring access to up-to-date medical literature, journals, and digital resources.
• Implement innovative technologies and methodologies to enhance library accessibility and efficiency.

1. Simulation Center Development & Growth:
• Lead the expansion and advancement of the simulation center, ensuring alignment with educational and clinical training objectives.
• Oversee faculty and staff responsible for developing simulation-based curriculum and training programs.
• Manage budgeting and resource allocation to enhance simulation capabilities.
• Stay informed about emerging trends in medical simulation and integrate best practices into institutional training.

1. Research and Innovation:
• Facilitate a robust research environment by promoting and supporting clinical and translational research activities.
• Partner with existing hospital and health system leadership to establish collaborative research initiatives, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
• Foster interdisciplinary research collaborations to address healthcare challenges and promote innovation.
• Encourage and support faculty engagement in research activities, securing external funding, and disseminating research findings through publications and presentations.
• Collaborate with Chief Academic Officers at other health system sites to strengthen research collaborations and share best practices.
• Support Institutional Review Committee activities and serve ex-officio on the hospital IRB (if relevant).
• Serve as a member of the RWJBarnabas Health system research committee.

1. Quality Improvement:
• Work closely with quality improvement teams to integrate academic advancements into clinical practice, ensuring evidence-based care and patient safety.
• Lead initiatives to address and rectify any identified issues or citations related to ACGME compliance.
• Facilitate and monitor quality improvement initiatives across residency programs via periodic reviews and coaching with program directors and site directors.
• Participate in the Leapfrog Group, Vizient, CMS stars, US News and World Report and other institutional quality initiatives.
• Be a champion for High Reliability Organization initiatives as it pertains to residents and medical students.

1. Retention Initiatives:
• Develop and implement initiatives to create an environment that encourages the retention of graduating trainees, focusing on career development, mentorship, and opportunities for further education within the institution.

1. Budgetary Oversight:
• Collaborate with financial stakeholders to manage budgetary resources for academic programs, ensuring fiscal responsibility and optimal utilization.
• Provide accurate information to the institution’s CFO to maximize reimbursement for GME

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Benefits and Perks:

At RWJBarnabas Health, our market-competitive Total Rewards package provides comprehensive benefits and resources to support our employees’ physical, emotional, social, and financial health.

• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Medical and Prescription Drug Insurance
• Dental and Vision Insurance
• Retirement Plans
• Short & Long Term Disability
• Life & Accidental Death Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Health Care/Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Wellness Programs
• Voluntary Benefits (e.g., Pet Insurance)
• Discounts Through our Partners such as NJ Devils, NJ PAC, Verizon, and more!

Choosing RWJBarnabas Health!

RWJBarnabas Health is the premier health care destination providing patient-centered, high-quality academic medicine in a compassionate and equitable manner, while delivering a best-in-class work experience to every member of the team.  We honor and appreciate the privilege of creating and sustaining healthier communities, one person and one community at a time.  As the leading academic health system in New Jersey, we advance innovative strategies in high-quality patient care, education, and research to address both the clinical and social determinants of health. 

RWJBarnabas Health aims to truly make a unique impact in local communities throughout New Jersey. From vastly improving the health of local residents to creating educational and career opportunities, this combination greatly benefits the state. We understand the growing and evolving needs of residents in New Jersey—whether that be enhancing the coordination for treating complex health conditions or improving community health through local programs and education.