Career Center

Job Summary

• Delivering state of the art care in a compassionate, culturally sensitive, and efficient manner is the highest priority of the PCP. Attention to the patient's perceived problems should be balanced with good medical and psychosocial care of the whole person.
• Professional and intellectual growth through continuing medical education (CME) and the ongoing pursuit of medical/academic interests is essential to maintaining the PCP's high standard of practice. The Dept. of Medicine will provide weekly on-site CME of relevance to the current scopes of service for a generalist PCP. In addition, all PCPs are afforded resources and time for extra-curricular CME activities. PCP will attend CME courses and stay abreast of medical literature.
• The effectiveness of our program is maintained through continuous improvement in quality of care. Process and outcomes should be monitored through relevant, ideally standardized clinical indicators, individual case reviews, and measures of patient and provider satisfaction.
• In a time of rising costs of health care, HUHS PCPs are committed to the intelligent management of our resources, including both internal and external services, and to providing cost-effective, high-quality care.

Position Description

• Demonstrates cultural sensitivity and empathy for all patients of Harvard's diverse patient population.
• PCP will have outpatient responsibilities for acute, chronic, and preventive care as a practicing physician. Acts as backup support for Urgent Care providers.
• Oversees the care of a panel of primary care patients, attending to patient needs both in the office and between visits, by reviewing care received outside HUHS, laboratory data, secure messages from HUHS care providers and from the patients themselves, and ordering tests as needed to ensure maintenance of health and appropriate management of chronic medical conditions.
• Coordinates the primary care provided to adult members of our diverse community at HUHS, including all undergraduate and graduate/professional Harvard affiliated students, regardless of the duration of academic studies, as well as faculty, staff, retirees, and dependents. PCPs directly manage general medical problems of an acute and chronic nature, and place special emphasis on preventive health and education.
• Performs complete physical exams at a frequency appropriate to age and gender and order appropriate laboratory, x-ray, and other diagnostic and medical procedures to meet short-term health care needs, maintain health, and prevent disease.
• Plans, directs, and coordinates the acute medical care, treatment of chronic disease, and health promotion of all adult HUHS patients.
• Manages the appropriate referral of patients to other health care providers for specialized needs. All referrals are made balancing patient needs and HUHS guidance for most cost-effective providers of care.
• Educates patients – based on age, gender, psychosocial and cultural context, and overall health of the patient on illness or its complications, and on ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
• Advises the patient with an illness on the most clinically appropriate and cost-effective therapy, weighing and discussing the potential risks and benefits of treatment. HUHS embraces the principle of patient-centered care and shared decision making.
• Works closely with other members of their primary care team (nurse practitioner, team nurse, and health assistants). Serves as a consultant for team nurse practitioners.
• Works closely with members of the care coordination team, referrals coordinators, and urgent care providers to ensure seamless handoffs to care by other providers, both inside and outside of HUHS.
• Reports safety events to Safety Reporting Team to ensure a culture of safety at HUHS.
• Participates in HUHS continuous improvement efforts by knowing and understanding HUHS strategic goals, and by participating in team huddles and projects to reach these goals.
• Understands and complies with HUHS public health initiatives.
• Participates in on-call schedule. On-call responsibilities include answering calls directed by CareNet, HUPD, administrator on call, or from patients to MD on call. On call physician also works in Urgent Care 5 hours each weekend on the day that is specified by the Practice Manager or Medical Director of Urgent Care.

• Participates in team and committee efforts to solve problems, proposing ideas to improve quality of care.
• Continuous effort to satisfy the needs of patients and assist other clinicians.
• Works closely with the HUHS Patient Advocate and Chief of Medicine to address and resolve satisfactorily any specific patient-based concern or complaint.
• Promotes a positive image of HUHS by demonstrating that she/he is knowledgeable and understanding of patient needs.
• Maintains written and verbal confidentiality of all patient and department information at all times, following the HUHS Confidentiality and electronic mail policies without exception.

Basic Qualifications

• The candidate is a graduate of a U.S. based residency program; board certified or eligible in Internal Medicine or Family Practice with current licensure in Massachusetts.
• Must have current BLS/ACLS certification.
• Commitment to high quality, cost-effective health care and the principles of group practice.
• Experience with the full spectrum of primary care general medicine, including women's health, ranging from adolescent to geriatric ages.
• Demonstrated skills in outpatient clinical care, effective communication skills and shared decision-making.

Physical Requirements

• Sitting and standing for extended periods of time
• Using near vision for reading
• Computer use for extended periods of time
• Lifting (approximately 20 to 30 pounds), bending, and other physical exertion

Working Conditions

Please note:

• Harvard University requires a pre-employment reference and background screening.
• Harvard University is unable to provide work authorization and/or visa sponsorship.
• This position has a 90-day orientation and review period. 

Additional Information

All Harvard University Health Services staff and staff affiliates are considered Health Care Workers and as a condition of employment must provide documentation of the following:

• Letter of good health from your personal health care provider.
• TB skin test (within past 3 months) or, if known skin test positive, documentation of previous chest x-ray, information about any past treatment.
• Documentation of immunity (positive antibody titers) for Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Varicella.
• Proof of appropriate past immunization for Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Varicella.
• Hepatitis B vaccine series – required for staff with possible exposure to blood or blood borne pathogens.
• A current Flu vaccine (this season) and Covid vaccines to include the Primary series and Bivalent Booster.

The required medical documentation/medical clearances can often be obtained by contacting your Pediatrician, PCP, medical provider. Titers, TB Skin testing can be performed by appointment at Occupational Health facilities.

Harvard continues to place the highest priority on the health, safety and wellbeing of its faculty, staff and students, as well as the wider community. Being up to date with COVID vaccination, annual flu vaccination and other required medical vaccinations and documentation are required as a condition of employment at HUHS. You may claim exemption from the vaccine requirements for medical or religious reasons.

Benefits

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

Work Format

About Harvard University Health Services

Harvard University is devoted to excellence in teaching, learning, and research, and to developing leaders in many disciplines who make a difference globally. The University, which is based in Cambridge and Boston, Massachusetts, has an enrollment of over 20,000 degree candidates, including undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Harvard has more than 360,000 alumni around the world. The University has twelve degree-granting Schools in addition to the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, offering a truly global education. Established in 1636, Harvard is the oldest institution of higher education in the United States.

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