KEY FUNCTIONS

Clinical

Provides accurate diagnosis and assessment of patients to determine appropriate treatment plan and follow-up care. Must be familiar with current diagnostic and treatment practices for gynecologic and related cancers. Requires considerable exercise of expertise, judgment, and analytical skill. May consult with other department physicians and/or other MD Anderson physicians to confirm or validate diagnosis and treatment.

Must be able to perform radical pelvic operations independently. Includes minimally invasive surgery and/or  robotic surgical techniques. Surgical procedures shall include, but shall not be limited to:  radical hysterectomy, pelvic exenterations (total, anterior, and posterior), lymphadenectomy (including inguinal, pelvic, and para-aortic regions), vaginal or abdominal hysterectomy with associated salpingo-oophorectomy, urinary diversion or reconstruction procedures, omentectomy and omental transfer, segmental bowel resection with or without reanastomosis, intestinal by-pass procedures, hypogastric artery ligation, and other surgical procedures accepted as appropriate in the treatment of gynecologic cancer. Must be able to manipulate surgical instruments using both hands. Requires use of head light, protective shields, head gear, gloves, mask, and surgical scrubs during surgical procedures performed in the operating room and as necessary in the outpatient setting. Must be familiar with equipment used in the operating room and in the care and treatment of gynecologic oncology patients. Must be able to stand for long periods of time without breaks for rest or meals, when performing surgical procedures and attending to patients' needs.

Must be familiar with and able to independently perform patient evaluations, history and physical examinations, central venous catheter insertion, paracentesis, thoracentesis, endometrial biopsy, cryosurgery, cystoscopy, proctoscopy, colposcopy and needle biopsy.  Assess patients for protocol eligibility. Explains protocol and treatment options to patients. Answers questions regarding treatment.  Requires good verbal assessment skills in face-to-face and telephone encounters. Must be able to lift, move, or assist from examination table, or in wheelchair, patients weighing up to 200 pounds. Walks to and from the clinic, emergency room, operating room, hospital inpatient floor, and other areas of the MD Anderson complex to perform patient examinations and rounds and to attend meetings and other departmental and institutional functions. Position may require coverage for Gynecologic Oncology providers in other Houston Area Locations beyond the primary assignment.

Requires advanced knowledge of clinical pharmacology as applied to cancer chemotherapy and biological agents.  Responsible for patient selection, drug selection, drug administration, and treatment of toxic side effects. Administers cancer therapeutic agents systemically, applies anticancer agents topically, instills therapeutic agents intraperitoneally. Maintains skills and current expertise in all aspects of patient care. Reads gynecologic oncology and related journals and publications to remain current on affiliated topics and techniques. Participates in MD Anderson planning conference.

Requires entering of notes in the medical record and dictation of supportive reports (clinic notes, history and physical, primary medical evaluation, operative reports, progress notes, admission notes, consultative reports, medication orders, procedure notes, discharge notes, discharge notes, death summaries). Requires thorough knowledge and understanding of medical record transcription procedures, documentation procedures, record retrieval/maintenance procedures, and confidentiality and release of medical record information. Insures that medical record documentation is accurate and up-to-date at all times and follows institutional and local hospital policies. Prepare, review and timely submit proper coding and charge capture documents through the utilization of electronic billing applications as available and supported by the institution.

Must be able to work effectively under stress and make decisions regarding patient care issues, and treatment, immediately and independently. Must demonstrate MD Anderson core values of caring, integrity and discovery to patients, clinic and department staff, trainees and colleagues.

Must be in full concordance with the employment rules and regulations established by the University of Texas Board of Regents, including initial appointment policies, review procedures, annual physical examination requirements, and institutional assignments. Must also be familiar and in concordance with Constitution and Bylaws of the Medical Staff and Rules and Regulations of the Medical Staff.  Maintains current status of Texas Medical License, DPS, and DEA licenses.

Administrative

Participates in departmental or institutional projects or committees as assigned by the Chair. Attends regularly scheduled departmental staff meetings, MD Anderson conferences, special programs, morning conferences, rounds, pathology, radiotherapy conferences, and journal club. Prepares documentation required for annual review. Maintains current curriculum vitae in appropriate format. 

Research

Initiates and/or participates in clinical and laboratory research projects in the field of gynecologic oncology. Actively pursues publication of articles in major peer-reviewed journals as a senior author or collaborator. Collaborates with departmental and/or institutional physicians and scientists to participate in ongoing projects, studies and multidisciplinary efforts benefiting the department and institution. Makes presentations on current findings and studies at MD Anderson conferences and local and national conferences.

Requires the use of basic math skills, the ability to clearly understand and communicate verbal instructions and directions, and the ability to organize and disseminate information in a concise manner.

Education

Demonstrates and provides instruction in diagnostic, surgical and therapeutic procedures to residents, fellows, nurses or para-professionals assigned to, or observing in, the Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine. 

Represents the Department in local, regional, state, and national matters. May require traveling to sites outside of the Houston area and, upon return, disseminating the information obtained or learned by sharing with department colleagues verbally or in writing. Participates in community-based tumor boards, disease specific conference and other such meetings. Represents MD Anderson at community events, educational forums, and among referring physician groups across the region. Secures membership in local or national associations to promote further education and active involvement in research and specialties related to gynecologic oncology and cancer.