University Physician and Director of Student Health

Washington and Lee University (W&L) seeks nominations and applications for the position of University Physician and Director of Student Health (Director). This is an exciting opportunity for a team-oriented and experienced physician that enjoys working with young adults and contributing to an intellectual community. The Director will work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team to provide comprehensive primary care services and health education to nearly 2,000 undergraduates and 400 law school students. Nestled in the mountains of Lexington, Virginia, this nationally ranked liberal arts college and law school is committed to developing students' capacity to think freely, critically, and humanely as engaged citizens in a global and diverse society.

Reporting directly to the Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, the Director is a member of the Student Affairs Leadership Team and works as a strategic collaborator and advisor, helping to provide outstanding programs, services, and initiatives that promote the health of the student community. The successful candidate will have a strong record of clinical practice with a deep commitment to, and understanding of, emerging adulthood healthcare and the health risks prevalent in collegiate environments. The next Director will also have demonstrable experience inspiring, developing, and managing staff. Candidates must have outstanding clinical judgment, compassion, administrative acumen, and the ability to hold a broad institutional perspective and work collaboratively with counseling services, athletics, and other campus partners.

About W&L

W&L is the ninth oldest institution of higher education in America and the historic campus, situated in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley, is home to a vibrant, welcoming community distinguished by an entirely student-run Honor System that pushes students to take responsibility and realize their potential as citizens, peers, and leaders.

The small size of the community enables students to find mentors and develop personal relationships across campus. W&L offers incredible opportunity for those with incredible potential. Your voice matters at W&L because the core values of honor, integrity, and civility are fundamental to the culture, and they influence the thoughtful ways students and faculty approach every conversation.

Position Summary

The University Physician and Director of Student Health manages the staff and operations of the Student Health Center (SHC) and the Office of Health Promotion (OHP). The Director spends approximately 60% of their time providing direct clinical services to students in the SHC, including evaluation and treatment of illness or injury and preventive health services, and approximately 40% of their time in management and other professional activities. Physician/Physician Assistant appointments are available weekdays, while nursing assessment and care are available 24/7 during most of the academic year. The SHC is open daily 9AM-5PM when only the Law School is in session and is closed during Thanksgiving and Winter breaks and during the summer. The University Physician shares on-call responsibilities with other professionals for emergency coverage throughout the academic year. 

Essential Functions:

• Oversees operations of the Student Health Center (SHC) including providing leadership for mission, strategic planning, and services provided by SHC.
• Supervises Head Nurse, Physician Assistant, and Administrative support staff. The University is committed to hiring an additional Nurse Practitioner.
• Supervises Director of the Office of Health Promotion (OHP): Provides leadership for mission, strategic planning and services provided by OHP; manages budget in collaboration with Director.
• Manages budget in collaboration with Head Nurse and Administrative staff. Oversees insurance billing for student visits and effective utilization of software for scheduling and documentation of clinical encounters.
• Provides high quality direct clinical services in the SHC to meet needs of the student population, including appropriate documentation, follow up and referral.
• Coordinates after hours emergency response and call coverage for the SHC; shares responsibility for emergency response and provider on-call system, provides high quality response, and services as needed.
• Maintains medical licensure with Virginia Board of Medicine. Maintains both facility and provider licensure with Virginia Board of Pharmacy to dispense/sell controlled substances for SHC dispensary in accordance with regulations and best practices for controlled substance management.
• Maintains appropriate privileges at Carilion Rockbridge Community Hospital for consultation when students require ER care, surgery, and hospitalization.
• Serves as Team Physician for all NCAA sports teams and designated medical director for athletic training services.Collaborates with Head Athletic Trainer/Athletics Health Care Administrator to provide independent medical care for student athletes. 
  • Key areas of collaboration include (but are not limited to) the concussion management plan, athletic injury prevention and response, COVID-19, skin infections, mental health/well-being, alcohol and other substance use, pre-participation screening and clearance (including sickle cell screening), and institutional plan for liability and health insurance coverage for athletic-related illness and injury.
• Oversees annual review, selection, and implementation of the Student Health Insurance Plan in collaboration with the multidisciplinary University working group.
• Consults with the Director of Counseling regarding operations of the University Counseling Center (UCC). Partners with the Director of Counseling to ensure that the mission, strategic planning, and services provided by UCC and SHC are aligned and complementary. Contributes to ongoing case staffing to ensure continuity of care between UCC and SHC providers.
• Serves as an effective member of the leadership team in Student Affairs:
  • Represents SH&C mission, strategic plan, services and key issues within Student Affairs and the University community.
  • Promotes and participates in committees, activities, and programs that serve to improve the health status of, and health services for, W&L students.
  • Serves as chair of the Student Health Committee.
  • Collaborates as needed with University officials in situations requiring emergency management and/or behavioral threat assessment and intervention.
• Collaborates with Academic Deans, Student Affairs Class Deans, and Director of Disability Resources:
  • Coordinates medical/psychological health recommendations for student withdrawal, leaves of absence, reinstatements, medical course reduction, and/or short-term academic adjustments.
  • Coordinates review of medical documentation of student disabilities re: accommodations requests (other than neurodevelopmental disabilities where documentation is reviewed by an outside consultant).
• Engages in professional development activities that are appropriate continuing education, training, and outreach activities to maintain licensure, clinical competency, and enhance knowledge and skills in areas pertinent to the position.
• The University physician is expected to stay abreast of changes in clinical guidelines and best practices and share expert knowledge with the clinical team.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Meets and maintains professional requirements for medical licensure by the Virginia Board of Medicine, including continuing medical education requirements, DEA licensure for prescribing, Virginia Board of Pharmacy licensure for dispensing controlled substances, and appropriate professional liability insurance.
• Must be Board certified (or Board eligible) in a Primary Care specialty, with at least three years of pertinent clinical and management experience. Family or Internal Medicine specialties are preferred.
• Knowledge and experience in the medical, psychological, and developmental needs of the college population, including alcohol and other substance abuse problems, diversity and multicultural issues, sexual assault, and mental health issues.
• Professional demeanor, common sense, excellent clinical and interpersonal skills, strong verbal and written communication skills, the personal maturity to deal effectively with ill and/or troubled students, the ability to maintain confidentiality of personal health information and work effectively as a professional staff member leading a multidisciplinary health care team.
• Demonstrated ability to lead the health care team in providing patient-centered, culturally sensitive care using evidence-based medicine, which requires the ability to easily communicate with, and teach, student patients from all walks of life.

Application Process

Washington and Lee University has partnered with Keeling & Associates, LLC for this search. Applications should include a resume/curriculum vitae and a cover letter addressing your interest in and qualifications for the position. Application materials must be sent, preferably as PDFs, to recruiting@keelingassociates.com with the subject heading “W&L University Physician” Candidates are encouraged to submit materials by April 29, 2022, to receive full consideration. The search will continue until an appointment is made.

Confidential inquiries and nominations should be addressed to the K&A senior consultant leading this search, Dr. Lili Rodríguez, at lrodriguez@keelingassociates.com.

In compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and all other applicable non-discrimination laws, Washington and Lee University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran's status, or genetic information in its educational programs and activities, admissions, and with regard to employment. Inquiries may be directed to Lauren E. Kozak, Title IX Coordinator, Elrod Commons 237, (540) 458-4055, kozakl@wlu.edu, who is designated by the University to coordinate compliance efforts and carry out its responsibilities under Title IX, as well as those under Section 504 and other applicable non-discrimination laws.