Scientific Director, CancerControl Alberta and the Cancer Strategic Clinical Network Position Summary

Transcription

1 Scientific Director, CancerControl Alberta and the Cancer Strategic Clinical Network Position Summary A senior leadership position, Scientific Director, CancerControl Alberta, is being established to provide scientific leadership and support to both CancerControl Alberta (CCA) and the Cancer Strategic Clinical Network (SCN) with a mandate to: further develop the vision of an integrated academic clinical cancer program in collaboration with both the Universities of Alberta and Calgary develop and implement strategic and operational plans for the continuum of cancer research within CCA and the Cancer SCN, and foster the translation of evidence into the clinical cancer control program. Leadership of research for CancerControl will be a dyad leadership model working with an Executive Director. This Position Summary describes a complex vision and scope of influence, many of the details of which will be developed by the successful candidate for this role. Background CancerControl Alberta (CCA) describes a new entity within Alberta Health Services (AHS) mandated to provide leadership for the full cancer control spectrum from prevention to palliation. The primary focus of AHS is to provide health care services to Albertans and secondarily to support teaching and research. One of the key strategies underlying the newly released Strategic Plan: Changing the Future: Alberta s Cancer Plan to 2030 (ACP) is for Alberta to further develop a strong research program and for future system improvements to be evidence-informed through ongoing cancer research. Although strong academic-based cancer research programs are in place in Edmonton (University of Alberta) and Calgary (University of Calgary), CCA needs to strengthen its provincial leadership structure, its basis for a provincial collaborative strategic vision, and its ability to strategically manage its significant investment in cancer research and prevention together with the Universities. AHS created the Strategic Clinical Networks (SCNs) and Operational Clinical Networks (OCNs) as the provincial vehicle for the evidence-based improvement of quality and sustainability of health and health care in Alberta. SCN/OCNs each have a membership model that is intended to be inclusive of all internal portfolios, as well as partners and stakeholders, with an interest in its populations of focus, including key members in the University of Alberta and University of Calgary (the Universities). By mandate, each SCN/OCN is developing an embedded, provincial "research and knowledge translation team" that will be designed and supported to appeal to many University-based researchers and educators. Facilitating, coordinating, and supporting the SCN/OCNs to perform world-class research and functions that will translate that research into common practice will require high level in-kind partnership support from the Universities, including the support of some senior research expertise for each SCN/OCN. CancerControl Alberta is responsible for the planning and delivery of programs across cancer control, and the Cancer SCN is the group mandated to plan and execute improvements in order to fast-track transformational change in cancer control across the province. The Cancer SCN and CCA are thus inseparably linked with the senior leaders of each sitting on the leadership teams of the other, and September 19,

2 with close alignment of their strategic and operational plans. At the same time, University-based researchers and programs are embedded within CancerControl. The greatest convergence however is the shared vision to translate research innovations into clinical care to improve the performance of the cancer system right across the cancer control spectrum. Scientific and organizational leadership is viewed as key to the necessary transformation in cancer research and cancer-related health. Effective leadership can catalyze the process to construct a vibrant partnership between AHS and our colleagues in the academic and research funding communities across the province. Definition of Role The Scientific Director (SD), CCA, is a key leadership position within AHS. This role incorporates the responsibilities of the Scientific Director for the Cancer SCN. As the most senior provincial cancer research leader within AHS, and with a broadly informed perspective on basic, translational, clinical, health systems and / or population health research areas, the Scientific Director will be (a) A key member of the leadership team of CCA and of the Cancer SCN s core strategy and leadership group and (b) Will hold appointments with both Medical Schools. Through processes that engage front-line health researchers, funders and knowledge users (e.g. patients, clinicians, policy makers, community leaders, industry, and others), the Scientific Director will be responsible for developing, implementing, and assessing the impact of a cancer research and knowledge translation strategy that will support the overall mandate and objectives of CCA and the Cancer SCN. The Scientific Director will champion a broad provincial health research agenda that addresses the health needs of the cancer population with a focus on generating and applying research evidence to achieve the strategies of ACP. All pillars of health research are in scope for this role, including building stronger bridges to basic discovery research, predominantly at the Universities, for a better understanding of the disease and its prevention; new diagnostics and new therapeutics of interest and collaboration with the Scientific Directors of all other SCN/OCNs. Working with the Chairs of the Departments of Oncology and other University-based Research Leaders including the University of Lethbridge, some of whom do or may hold joint AHS appointments, the SD will also make a particular effort to build capacity and integrate all academic and community resources in the province that are relevant to CCA and the Cancer SCN. Most importantly, the SD will enable the success of individual researchers, groups of researchers, and clinicians in order to facilitate the creation of an efficient and effective research network in the province; one that successfully attracts provincial and national peer reviewed funding as well as funding from other local, provincial, and national sources. In addition, the SD will be accountable for the Cancer SCN s production and publication of new knowledge and, facilitating new knowledge to be translated into action in Alberta. The Scientific Director will work in close collaboration with the AHS Senior Vice President, Research, to ensure pan-alberta approaches to research are implemented where applicable and common platforms or solutions are utilized to achieve maximal efficiency and effectiveness. The Scientific Director will work with a dyad partner, the Executive Director - Research, CCA, using a collaborative decision making model and similarly, in fulfilling the SCN role, with the VP and SrMD Cancer SCN. September 19,

3 Specific Accountabilities and Responsibilities Providing leadership to a diverse team, within CCA and the broader SCN, and through collaboration with the Universities, in the development, design and implementation of provincial cancer research strategy and cancer research services in support of ACP and the business plan of AHS. Providing leadership on behalf of CCA to establish the vision of an integrated academic clinical cancer program by engaging with our key strategic academic partners (the Universities) and with our key research funding partners (ACF and AIHS). Demonstrating leadership in creating effective knowledge translation processes within CCA including effective clinical engagement, as required. With the dyad partner, overseeing the cancer research portfolio within CCA and ensuring support for cancer research from regulatory affairs; IT, legal and contracts; resource management; and risk management. Facilitating the identification and successful development of effective innovations within CCA. Identification of commercial viability of innovations will also be expected. Developing strategies with academic and funding partners to increase cancer research capacity including: o people (including mentorship of existing staff, recruitment of internationally recognized researchers, and development of research teams) o broad research platforms to enhance capacity in specific areas of great strategic value such as Institutes or Centres o integration of research to promote uptake of innovative cancer practices across AHS o partnerships including industry and with other academic institutions Through an inclusive priority setting process, developing, implementing, and assessing the impact of a research and knowledge translation strategy for the Cancer SCN; one that will support the SCN s priorities. Alberta s Health Research and Innovation Strategy and the AHS Research and Innovation Strategy will inform the SCN s related strategies. The SD will play a key role in providing advice and input into AHS Research strategic planning. Advocating for, and being the champion of, the mission of CCA and the Cancer SCN with Alberta Innovates Health Solutions (AIHS) and the Alberta Cancer Foundation (ACF) and the various research communities, universities (including the University of Lethbridge), hospitals, governments, non-governmental organizations, health charities, industry, and the public. In conjunction with the Scientific Directors of all other SCN/OCNs, creating and implementing a capacity development and training program for all SCN/OCNs; one that articulates the facilitative role that SCN/OCNs will play as research and knowledge translation training environments for students, clinicians, postdoctoral scholars, and others. Fostering and nurturing strong partnerships and alliances between and amongst the Scientific Directors of all other SCN/OCNs in order to pursue opportunities for collaboration in health research and its translation, and to bring research communities together to address research priorities. Attracting major partners in a coordinated way and leveraging provincial, national, and international resources to support CCA s research and knowledge translation priorities. Establishing and maintaining contacts with national and international partners and stakeholders through consultation and participation in various meetings and conferences. Qualifications and Required Attributes The Scientific Director of CCA and the Cancer SCN need not be a physician but must be an outstanding, nationally or internationally recognized research leader. He / she must have leadership experience and a September 19,

4 proven record of nurturing partnerships; effectively engaging a variety of stakeholders; and facilitating the success of others. The Scientific Director must hold a doctoral degree (medical, dental / oral & maxillofacial surgery, or podiatry diploma and / or a PhD) or equivalent, as well as having or being eligible for an academic appointment with all research intensive Alberta post-secondary educational institutions. If a physician, the Scientific Director may obtain and maintain an AHS Medical Staff Appointment as a Physician, Dentist, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon, or Podiatrist. Reporting Relationship The Scientific Director, CCA will report primarily to the Senior Vice President/Senior Medical Director of CCA. In the role as SD of the Cancer SCN, the SD will be accountable to the Senior Medical Director and the Vice President of the SCN. As well, the Scientific Director will have a secondary reporting relationship to the overall AHS Research portfolio through the Senior Vice President, Research. Reporting relationships to the Universities will be as appropriate dependent on appointments. Key Collaborative Relationships 1. Executive Director, Research, CancerControl Alberta (Dyad Partner) 2. Executive Director of the Cancer SCN 3. Chairs of the Departments of Oncology, Universities of Alberta and Calgary 4. Directors or equivalent of Cancer Research Institutes 5. Senior Leaders, CancerControl Alberta 6. Scientific Directors of all other SCN/OCNs 7. Senior Medical Directors, Vice Presidents, & Executive Directors of all other SCN/OCNs 8. Senior Vice President, Quality & Healthcare Improvement 9. Provincial Lead, Leading Practices / Innovation 10. Senior Vice President, Health Professions Strategy & Practice and Chief Nursing & Health Professions Officer (CNHPO) 11. The appropriate Vice and / or Associate Deans of the Faculties of Medicine (& Dentistry) Full Time Equivalent (FTE) Requirement The Scientific Director is up to a 1.0 FTE position, with the SCN portion of the role requiring a 0.3 FTE commitment. Time dedicated to the SD s own research program is negotiable. If a suitable candidate for the SCN role alone is identified, appointment for the SCN role alone may be considered. Term The position of Scientific Director will normally be for five years, renewable once for a second five year term, based on successful performance evaluations against the described accountabilities and responsibilities. Remuneration Negotiable dependent on qualifications and time commitment and determination of final role. Infrastructure and Operating Support The Scientific Director, together with the Executive Director, Research, CCA will oversee an operating budget within AHS CancerControl of ~ $10m. September 19,

5 Contingent upon funding and annual approval by the Associate Chief Medical Office, SCNs & Clinical Care Pathways, the Vice President, SCNs & Clinical Care Pathways, and the Senior Vice President, Research, and based on progress toward a written "Cancer SCN Research Development Plan" (with a justified budget), the Scientific Director of the Cancer SCN will direct an annual discretionary "SCN Research Development Budget" of up to $80,000 (for provincial workshops, training, mentorship, travel, and / or seed funding or strategic development of provincial Cancer SCN research or innovation projects of value). If required to backfill his / her personal research program, the Scientific Director of the Cancer SCN will be eligible for a research grant of up to $50,000 per year in order to support the administration of his / her research program. The Scientific Director will also supervise an Assistant Scientific Director (1.0 FTE) to develop the research network within the Cancer SCN. Feel free to contact Dr. Paul Grundy (paul.grundy@albertahealthservices.ca) or Dr. Neil Hagen (neil.hagen@albertahealthservices.ca), in confidence, with any questions about this opportunity. Interested individuals should forward an Expression of Interest describing their reasons for applying and indicating SCN(s) of interest, a current Curriculum Vitae and a letter of support from his/her Institution to both: Dr. Paul Grundy, Senior Vice President and Senior Medical Director, CancerControl Alberta, AHS and Dr. Neil Hagen, Senior Medical Director, Cancer SCN via Jane.Tulloch@albertahealthservices.ca Tel: No later than October 26, 2013 The selection process will include pre-screening and an interview September 19,