Physician II - Site Principal Investigator (DARPA STRENGTHEN)

Join the HJF Team!

HJF is seeking a Physician II to play a key role in clinical research and the implementation of novel and emerging psychiatric interventions for active-duty service members. The Physician will serve as the Site Principal Investigator (PI) for the DARPA STRENGTHEN clinical trial conducted at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC). In this role, the Physician will lead the execution of a multi-site study focused on rapid, transdiagnostic treatments for suicidality that combine transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), pharmacotherapy, and digital behavioral therapy. The Physician will be responsible for clinical oversight, patient treatment, ensuring the scientific integrity of the trial, and managing the delivery of care within a complex research environment.

This position is in support of the Department of Psychiatry / Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress. The position is located at both the National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE) on the WRNMMC campus and our home office in Bethesda, MD. The Physician will support a clinical trial under DARPA STRENGTHEN to evaluate the efficacy and military translational potential of a multi-modal neurobehavioral treatment protocol for suicidality.

The Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress (CSTS) is one of the nation's oldest and most highly regarded, academic-based organizations dedicated to advancing trauma-informed knowledge, leadership and methodologies. The Center's work addresses a wide scope of trauma exposure from the consequences of combat, operations other than war, terrorism, natural and humanmade disasters, and public health threats as well as risk and protective factors associated with suicidal behaviors. CSTS is a part of our nation's federal medical school, Uniformed Services University (USU), and its Department of Psychiatry. These affiliations represent the Center's history, mission and future directions as a major contributor to our country's understanding of the impact of trauma and the advancement of trauma-informed care.

The Department has active research programs in the Basic and Clinical Sciences and Neurosciences. In addition to intramural research projects, the Department maintains active research funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Drug Abuse, National Science Foundation, the Department of the Army and the Department of the Air Force. The department has ongoing collaborations with the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, is sponsor of the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress and provides psychiatry residency training through its affiliations with Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, National Naval Medical Center and Malcolm Grow Air Force Medical Center and the National Capital Area Graduate Medical Education Consortium.

The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine (HJF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing military medicine. We serve military, medical, academic and government clients by administering, managing and supporting preeminent scientific programs that benefit members of the armed forces and civilians alike.Since its founding in 1983, HJF has served as a vital link between the military medical community and its federal and private partners. HJF's support and administrative capabilities allow military medical researchers and clinicians to maintain their scientific focus and accomplish their research goals.

• Designs, directs, and participates in clinical research protocols in conjunction with active duty investigators, research physicians, and other scientists.
• Directs and participates in the submission of clinical research protocols to the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
• Provides evaluation and treatment of medical conditions, as appropriate to medical license and specialty board certification; maintains active clinical credentials including by providing care to non-research patients; provides clinical research education, training, and mentorship to trainees and others.
• Oversees, plans, and/or executes all elements of the treatment protocol, including delivery of pharmacotherapy, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and digital behavioral intervention.
• Serves as the main point of contact for the study and liaison between internal and external stakeholders.
• Oversees data collection procedures and contributes to data analysis and interpretation.
• Monitors participant safety, including documenting and reporting adverse events and protocol deviations in accordance with study and regulatory requirements.
• Prepares program status reports to the institution, regulatory agencies, and sponsors of the clinical research programs.
• Prepares scientific papers for presentation at local and national meetings and for publication in medical and scientific periodicals; leads development of written reports and manuscripts.
• Collaborates across teams to translate scientific goals into operational tasks.
• Monitors project budget and approves expenditures.
• Tracks the technical progress for the project, ensuring project schedules, milestones, and deliverables outlined in the statements of work are adhered to and achieved.
• Collaborates with coordinators, research assistants, and other technical and professional staff within and across study sites to implement research protocols and inform center-wide initiatives.
• Provides direct training and supervision to clinical research staff, ensuring strict adherence to treatment protocol.
• May perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned or directed by the supervisor. This may include attendance of and participation in required training for role.
  

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Assigned Lead: May recommend the following: employee hiring, disciplinary action, and starting salaries; provide input on employee performance evaluations.

Education and Experience

• Doctoral Degree - MD or DO required.
• Minimum of 3-5 years experience required.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of clinical medicine and the procedures and techniques necessary for performing research tasks.
• Knowledge of military culture and experience working with active duty or veteran populations preferred but not required.
• Experience with the administration of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) preferred but not required.
• Knowledge of medical science and the development of clinical research programs.
• Experience (knowledge) in the design of clinical research trials.
• Ability to troubleshoot technical procedures.
• Ability to work independently and supervise others.
• Ability to communicate effectively with study site personnel and collaborators.
• Knowledge of project management.
• Knowledge of standard regulatory compliance requirements.
• May require U.S. Citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a T3 Secret Clearance.

Licenses and Certifications

• Licensure to practice medicine within the continental United States; Board certified or board eligible for certification in the specialty associated with the clinical research program.

Work Environment

• This position will take place primarily in a hospital setting.
• This position requires you to work on-site at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, MD.

Compensation

• The annual salary range for this position is $127,000 - $225,000. Actual salary will be determined based on experience, education, etc.

Benefits

• HJF offers a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on your health and well-being, from medical, dental, and vision coverage to health savings and retirement plans, and more.

Employment with HJF is contingent upon successful completion of a background check, which may include, but is not limited to, contacting your professional references, verification of previous employment, education and credentials, a criminal background check, and a department of motor vehicle (DMV) check if applicable. Any qualifications to be considered as equivalents, in lieu of stated minimums, require the prior approval of the Chief Human Resources Officer.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

Any qualifications to be considered as equivalents, in lieu of stated minimums, require the prior approval of the Chief Human Resources Officer.