Associate Professor

The Associate Professor, General Surgeon will provide comprehensive surgical care, contribute to clinical education, and be encouraged to participate in research activities to advance the field of surgery. Fellowship or specialized training is encouraged but not required.
Essential Functions (Principal Duties and Job Responsibilities):
CLINICAL
Provide high-quality surgical care to patients across a broad spectrum of general surgical conditions, including elective and emergency procedures. Perform surgeries such as appendectomy, cholecystectomy, hernia repairs, bowel resections, and other general surgical interventions. Conduct preoperative assessments and postoperative follow-up care. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive patient management plans.
TEACHING
Participate in teaching medical students, residents, and fellows, including supervising surgical procedures.
Contribute to curriculum development and educational programs within the Department of Surgery.
Mentor junior faculty, residents, and medical students.
ACADEMIC & SCHOLARLY ACTIVITIES
Participate in departmental meetings, quality improvement initiatives, and institutional committees.
Ensure compliance with hospital policies, safety standards, and ethical guidelines.
Encouraged to participate in scholarly activities aligned with departmental priorities, publications, and presentations at conferences.
RESEARCH
Encouraged to participate in clinical and/or translational research, contribute to grant writing and research funding initiatives and publish findings in peer-reviewed journals.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:
Strong interpersonal and communication skills
The ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
Core surgical competencies
Proficiency in open and minimally invasive techniques (laparoscopic and/or robotic-assisted surgery)
Broad operative repertoire typical of general surgery (abdominal, GI, biliary, hernia, soft tissue)
Perioperative planning and risk assessment, including informed consent and shared decision-making
Intraoperative decision-making, precision, and emphasis on patient safety
Postoperative management: complication recognition, escalation, and ICU/critical care coordination when needed
Emergency general surgery and trauma basics (resuscitation, damage control concepts, rapid assessment)
Multidisciplinary collaboration with anesthesiology, radiology, nursing, and specialty services
Effective documentation, charting, and handoffs
Diagnostic and treatment planning
Proficiency in interpreting imaging and pathology results relevant to general surgery (CT, ultrasound, endoscopy)
Selection of appropriate operative vs non-operative management
Pain management, wound care, hernia repairs, and basic oncologic principles where applicable
Safety and compliance
Knowledge of surgical safety protocols, infection control, and quality improvement basics
Compliance with hospital policies, OSHA/antibiotic stewardship, and credentialing standards
Ability to participate in on-call, night/weekend shifts as required
Commitment to maintaining up-to-date competencies and continuing medical education (CME)
Research output and resident education experience
Strong trauma service, emphasize trauma/critical care skills and on-call readiness
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities Preferred:
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Advanced training or subspecialty focus
Fellowships in colorectal, hepatobiliary/pancreatic, breast, foregut, trauma/surgical critical care, vascular, or laparoscopic/robotic surgery
Proficient in robotic-assisted surgery, advanced laparoscopy, endoscopy, or other minimally invasive techniques
A track record in outcomes and quality
Experience with ERAS protocols, enhanced recovery pathways, and postoperative risk stratification
Involvement in quality improvement, patient safety initiatives, morbidity/mortality reviews
Academically oriented: publications, conference presentations, grant activity
Experience in resident education, mentorship, or program development
Multidisciplinary and patient-centered care
Multilingual abilities or strong cultural competence to serve diverse patient populations
Experience with surgical scheduling, team building, OR efficiency, or program expansion
Advanced cardiac life support (ACLS), advanced trauma life support (ATLS), and/or pediatric advanced life support (PALS) as applicable
Certs in wound care, critical care, or perioperative medicine
Education and Experience Required:
Medical degree (MD/DO) from an accredited institution.
Completion of an accredited general surgery residency program
Minimum of five years of clinical experience in general surgery or have successfully completed residency training.
Demonstrated commitment to teaching.
Education and Experience Preferred:
Fellowship training in a specialized area of surgery (preferred but not required).
Maintenance of Certification (MOC): Ongoing AB/ABS maintenance activities, such as lifelong learning, assessment, and CME credits, with recertification as required.
Demonstrated credentialing for complex procedures, committee involvement, quality/safety leadership.
Favorable track record and compliance with safety/quality initiatives.
Licensure, Certification or Registration Required:
Valid Tennessee medical license to practice.
Board eligibility or board certification by an ABMS-recognized board (e.g., American Board of Surgery) or equivalent
Licensure, Certification or Registration Preferred:
Ongoing AB/ABS maintenance activities, such as lifelong learning, assessment, and CME credits, with recertification as requiredAdvanced certifications or simulations credentials

Skills
Documentation