Associate Dean for Clinic Operations and Patient Care

Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine (SDM) seeks an innovative, strategic leader with high academic standards and a strong commitment to students, staff, faculty and patients to serve as the next Associate Dean for Clinic Operations and Patient Care. Reporting to the Dean, this full-time clinical or tenure track position plays an important leadership role in the daily operations and strategy to meet its educational, research, clinical and service missions. The next Associate Dean will have the extraordinary opportunity to become a senior member of the SDM administration at an exciting period of transition and growth, working alongside administration to increase the clinical operation's footprint as well as expand service capabilities off campus. In addition, with the ability to provide oral healthcare in the school's faculty practice, the Associate Dean can maintain their clinical skills and benefit from additional compensation. The successful candidate possesses excellent interpersonal and communication skills and a desire to create an environment that promotes collegiality, collaboration and cultural diversity among the members of various education, research and service communities. A willingness to serve as a role model and advocate for the ideals of professionalism and high ethical standards in a health science educational setting is essential.

Primary Responsibilities

• participate as a member of the school’s Council of Deans and Executive Committee in meetings, decision making, priority setting, budget planning, and schoolwide oversight;
• provide visionary leadership that inspires faculty, staff, and students/residents to become involved in the school’s clinical mission in a way that demonstrates momentum and direction;
• manage the clinical operations of the school’s pre-doctoral and residency programs, and coordinate with those of the faculty practice;
• develop and oversee strategic and annual business planning for the clinics;
• recruit and retain a diverse, broad-based patient population to meet the treatment needs required for the school’s educational, service, and research programs;
• develop and oversee financial plans and budgets for the clinics in concert with the CFO and Assistant Dean for Finance and Administration;
• provide a patient-centered and student/resident-supportive clinical educational experience for those enrolled in the school’s clinical training programs;
• recruit, develop, retain, and supervise clinic support staff;
• oversee and manage the clinic’s information systems and information technology in concert with the school’s IT office and that of Stony Brook Medicine;
• ensure compliance with federal, state, and university policies and regulations;
• collaborate with the Associate Dean for Education, department chairs, program directors, faculty, and staff to ensure the highest quality of contemporary clinical education experiences for students and residents;
• partner with Stony Brook University Hospital and its network of hospitals and clinics to better serve patients and expand the school’s education and practice opportunities;
• facilitate the development of the faculty practice plan so it supports the school’s academic mission and compliance with OSHA, CDC, and other federal/state regulatory policies and guidelines;
• promote and facilitate educational innovations, research, and programs for continuous quality improvement in clinic operations;
• lead the development and use of contemporary technologies to improve clinical education and service;
• represent the school within the SBU community and its Health Science Schools;
• represent the school to external constituencies, including ADEA, ADA, NYSDA, Suffolk County Dental Society, and the New York State Board of Dentistry and Department of Health in matters that relate to clinical operations and patient care; and
• serve as the School of Dental Medicine’s official liaison to regional dental licensing examination boards (e.g., CDCA).

Required Qualifications            

• DDS or DMD degree from a CODA accredited dental program;
• New York State Dental License or eligibility;
• excellent organizational, financial, managerial, and communication skills;
• working knowledge of dental curricula as applied in a dental school setting;
• 3+ years of experience in the administration of large general and specialty dental care facilities;
• demonstrated participation and leadership in CODA processes for accrediting DDS/DMD and advanced education programs;
• experience with the development, refinement, and employment of standard operating procedures, continuous quality improvement and outcomes processes, and OSHA, CDC, DOH, and other federal/state policies and regulatory guidelines;
• knowledge and use of electronic inventory and purchasing software to ensure timely acquisition, distribution, and audit of dental materials, instruments, and equipment; and
• proven record of motivating and managing teams, collaborating with other senior dental administrators, partnering with clinical operations in medical centers, and negotiating with external entities.

 Desirable Qualifications

• MBA, MHA, MSF or advanced degree in a related administrative or business discipline;
• certification in quality management methodology or other performance-based training programs; 
• residency in a CODA accredited advanced education program;
• previous appointment as an associate dean for clinic operations at a university-based, medical center-affiliated dental school/college;
• experience in developing and managing off-site dental clinic operations as part of a network of primary and multidisciplinary healthcare clinics;
• familiarity with published literature on the efficacy of different models of pre-doctoral dental education (e.g., discipline-based, comprehensive care, or vertically integrated);
• demonstrated experience serving as an advisor to senior leaders, adding value beyond the strict definition of the position; able to advise on financial and strategic issues, balancing rigor, structure, and efficacy;
• proven success leading a data-driven, mission-oriented, service-minded team;
• experience working in complex, academically-based environments (e.g., healthcare, research, higher education); and
• served as a Clinical Sciences Consultant to CODA.