Clinical Ethicist

General Summary of Position

The Staff Clinical Ethicist is a staff member of the John J. Lynch, MD Center for Ethics (the Center) sharing responsibility for the Center's Clinical Ethics Consultation Service, ethics education programming and scholarship, policy work, and organizational ethics projects.

They provide support and ethical guidance to various units, committees, and departments within Medstar Washington Hospital Center (MWHC), Medstar Health, and other organizations locally and nationally with approval. The Staff Clinical Ethicist coordinates closely with all other members of the Center on all Center functions, and reports to the Director of the Center.

• Serve as a working member of the Washington Hospital Center's Ethics Committee and its subcommittees, specifically the consultation and education subcommittees. Collaborate closely with relevant others within the MWHC, especially the Senior Clinical Ethicist and other members of the John J. Lynch Center for Ethics. Assist in the administrative duties of assigned committees including creation of minutes, record keeping, agendas, charters, member communication, etc.
• In conjunction with the Senior Clinical Ethicist, review and assist in the development, revision, implementation, and maintenance of policies related to clinical and organizational areas requiring ethical guidance or oversight. Provide ethical guidance to committees/work groups as needed within the MWHC and beyond.
• Organize, coordinate, and implement the John J Lynch Center for Ethic's Clinical Ethics Consultation Service, which provides 24‑hr/365 day consultation in clinical ethics for patients and families, attending and resident staff physicians, nurses, social workers, administrators and others. Fulfill assigned call including 24‑hr availability on some weekdays, weekends and holidays. Responsible for the implementation of the Clinical Ethics Consultation Service and for the education and training of the clinical ethics consultants.
  
  Coordinate and work closely with the Medstar Washington Hospital Center's Ethics Committee and Consultation Subcommittee, the John J. Lynch Center of Ethics, and others within the Hospital. Also provide direct clinical ethics consultation. Must be comfortable in clinical areas and with direct patient and family contact.
• Provide ongoing ethics support to other Medstar hospitals including potential consultations and education, at the discretion of the Director for the Lynch Center for Ethics. This may include teleconsults and on‑site activities.
• Provide ongoing and ad hoc education on clinical ethics to MWHC attendings, residents, staff, nurses, clinical pastoral education students, social work students, visiting students, etc. Provide ongoing self‑education program for the ethics committee and provide orientation for new members.
• Serve as a working member of MWHC's Ethics Committee and its subcommittees. Collaborate closely with other members of the Center to fulfill the mission and work of the Center. Assist in administrative duties of the Center and assigned committees.
• Operate as a member of the Center and under the supervision of the Director and Assistant Director of the Center. Participate in Center staff meetings, training, and other group activities and projects.

• Master's degree in Philosophy, Bioethics, Theology, Public Health, Social Work, Nursing, or other relevant discipline required
• Doctoral degree in Philosophy, Bioethics, Theology, Law, Medicine, Social Work, Nursing, or other relevant discipline preferred
• Successful completion of a fellowship in clinical ethics preferred

• 1–2 years of progressively more responsible job‑related experience required
• Previous clinical ethics consultation experience preferred

This position has a hiring range of $90,875 – $157,352