The GW Medical Faculty Associates (MFA) was incorporated in July 2000 as a not-for-profit, physician-led practice group. The organization functioned as an independent organization in support of The George Washington University School of Medicine and Sciences as a multi-specialty physician practice group. The GW MFA has grown to become the largest independent academic physician practice in the Washington, DC metro region with 375 physicians and 100 APP providers. In 2018, the MFA bylaws were revised to allow The George Washington University to serve as the sole corporate member while the MFA retained independent 501c3 status. The purpose of the change was to ensure alignment between the MFA and The George Washington University.

MFA physicians provide comprehensive patient care, offering one practice for the whole person with 52 medical and surgical specialties. As members of the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences faculty, MFA providers are teachers and mentors for medical students, residents, fellows, and researchers preserving the rich tradition of academics, research, and healing. In addition to maintaining a closely integrated alliance with The George Washington University and The George Washington University Hospital (GWUH) which is separately owned and operated by Universal Health Services (UHS), the GW MFA has active referring relationships with 12 area hospitals.

The GW MFA’s leading healthcare presence in the DC metro region is complemented by a network of community-based practices in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Given its geographic location in central NW Washington, DC, and proximity to more than 175 resident embassies, the MFA continues to evolve its international clinical outreach.

Position Summary

The Department of Dermatology provides an in-depth experience in clinical research related to psoriasis. The clinical trials fellowship is a 12-month position. The fellow works as a sub-investigator on both sponsor- and investigator-initiated clinical trials, mentored by Alison Ehrlich MD, MHS. The fellow will attend a bi-weekly psoriasis clinic in the clinic of dermatology and train under the supervision of the attending physician. In this environment, the fellow will learn how to evaluate patients for entry in the database as well as how to manage patients with numerous co-morbidities and treat them with cutting-edge therapies.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Other duties may be assigned.

• Become familiar with all of the research trials for patients with psoriasis and be able to discuss these trials with patients
• The research aspect of the program will be centered around psoriasis and metabolic syndrome with its components and the biological treatments of psoriasis
• Expected to develop at least one investigator-initiated psoriasis study under the supervision of the mentor
• Will be trained in database development, as well as learn how to work with the institutional review board (IRB)
• Obtaining protocol approval, developing and initiating advertising plans to recruit potential study patients
• Screening and consenting patients, reviewing inclusion/exclusion criteria, and determining with the principal investigator (PI) if a patient should be enrolled in a study
• Completing and documenting all patient visits and assessments
• Distributing and documenting the correct use of study medication
• Act as a liaison with the PI/monitor/sponsor during the study
• Communicate with the study patient’s primary care physicians when needed
• Actively involved in interacting with many patients with psoriasis the overwhelming majority of which are being evaluated for systemic biologic therapy
• Attend the investigator meetings for studies and coordinate protocol meetings with site personnel
• Responsible for interacting with the entire research team including nurses, coordinators, technicians, and research faculty
• Developing new protocols, troubleshooting, and the ongoing gathering of information in the psoriasis clinic (both at the University Hospital and the outpatient clinics)
• Attend all educational programs of the department and participate in an observational capacity in clinical activities. Direct contact with patients is not allowed under this program

Fellowship Goals

• Develop skills in the planning, implementation, and conduct of clinical trials
• Develop expertise in the broad aspects of psoriasis in the clinical research setting
• Demonstrate command of research investigation methodologies and regulatory requirements for clinical research.
• Develop effective interpersonal and communication skills with study patients, their families, members of the research staff, and pharmaceutical sponsors in the clinical research setting
• Become familiar with regulations at the federal and state levels that govern current approaches and tools for conducting clinical trials

Special consideration will be given to research projects addressing the psoriasis within the following areas:

• Psoriasis and biologic treatments
• Psoriasis and metabolic syndrome

Projects should also be compatible with and supportive of our psoriasis Mission, which is to strengthen the above issues.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• A Medical degree

Experience

• Familiarity with study design and methodology and simple statistical analysis (e.g. univariate analysis, t-test, and chi-square).
• Familiarity with commonly used computer programs (e.g. Microsoft Suite applications).

Physical Requirements

• Walk, stand, bend, and reach for long periods of time in a clinical setting.
• Must be able to occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull over 50 lbs. as part of the role.
• Regularly exposed to healthcare settings that may require personal protective equipment.
• Requires manual dexterity to operate a computer keyboard, calculator, copier machine, and other equipment.