Careers

The Department of Neurosurgery offers a range of employment opportunities for health care professionals interested in pursuing a career in an environment that promotes both professional and academic excellence.

Duke University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

To apply for any of these positions, go to careers.duke.edu  and search by corresponding requisition number.

Openings

Updated 8/17/2023

 

235411 Research Technician II

A lab in the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center (DBTC) under the Department of Neurosurgery is looking for a Research Technician II. The DBTC has a singular, all-encompassing goal: to develop novel, safe, and effective immune-based therapies for patients with primary and metastatic brain tumors.

This candidate will work with a highly collaborative team of researchers and clinicians to study the immune system and the impact of immunotherapy treatment in primary and metastatic CNS malignancies.  The lab focuses on translating novel therapies into the clinic, and re-purposing existing therapies for the treatment of brain cancer. This involves collecting tumor tissue taken at the time of surgery, processing it for analysis and measuring biomarkers of immune response.

Clinical Duties:

  • Learn clinical patient software to identify patient surgeries relevant to the research project and to extract demographics.
  • Coordinate with medical team (OR and Pathology) to identify and collect patient samples.
  • Process patient specimens or coordinate transfer to third party after receiving from medical team (tissue, blood, etc).
  • Maintain database and specimen inventory systems for stored tissue and other bio-specimens.

Research Duties:

  • Interface and coordinate with other groups, cores, and shared resources across campus to facilitate specimen processing and testing.
  • Operate laboratory equipment required for specific tests and sample processing.
  • Maintain laboratory equipment and supplies.
  • Ship specimens to internal and external collaborators.
  • Document, compile conclusions from experimental results.
  • Prepare and execute work independently, with minimal input from supervisor or principal investigator.
  • Review laboratory methods, scientific journals, abstracts, and other literature for information applicable to the research experiments.

Education and Skills:

  • Bachelor’s degree in biology, or related field.
  • Must be detail-oriented, well organized, and have strong communication skills.
  • Detailed documentation skills.
  • A background working within a clinical team (nurses, doctors, etc) is a plus.
  • Experience with coding, R studio, python and perl is a plus.
  • Experience with aseptic technique is a plus.

235316 Post Doctoral Associate

The Ashley Laboratory is seeking a postdoctoral associate to join our neuro-oncology research program. This role will lead collaborative projects related to the interplay between glioma-associated genetic mutations, DNA damage, and the induction of inflammation in the glioma microenvironment.

Our studies focus on the role of inflammatory signaling in malignant gliomas, with an emphasis on the identification and validation of novel immunotherapeutic strategies. We use a diverse combination of experimental approaches, including next-generation DNA/RNA sequencing, genetically engineered cell lines, and mouse brain tumor models to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying brain tumor biology and anti-tumor immunity. Our overarching goal is to use novel biological insights to deliver better therapies and care to brain tumor patients.

The ideal candidate will have at least 3-5 years of research experience in cellular and molecular biology and mouse models of disease. Candidates should have a proven track record of peer-reviewed first-author publications in respected journals. Previous experience in cancer biology, pharmacology, bioinformatics, and cancer genomics would be helpful. We also encourage candidates who are trained in other fields, such as developmental biology, immunology, and neuroscience, to apply these positions if they feel their skill sets are translatable to the goals described above. Strong mentoring support is available from Dr. Ashley and senior faculty in the Duke Brain Tumor Center to write and win highly competitive postdoctoral grants, including track records of success with trainees winning F32, K22, and K99 grants.

The ideal candidate will have:

  • Doctoral degree in molecular biology with an emphasis on cancer cell biology.
  • Minimum 3-5 years of life science research experience.
  • Experience working with mouse models of disease. Direct experience workin with brain tumor models is a plus.
  • Technical aptitude for learning and executing complex experimental techniques for molecular biology, cell-based assays, and rodent procedures.
  • Ability to adapt to unforeseen challenges and act with urgency to resolve critical project issues.
  • Ability to handle administrative responsibilities (e.g. ordering, inventory) as needed.
  • Impeccable experimental documentation and organized record-keeping skills, ideally with experience using an electronic notebook.
  • Familiarity with the development of laboratory protocols for SOPs, grants, IACUC, IBC and IRB documents.
  • Ability to effectively work independently and in a team environment in a fast-paced lab.

234619- Provider Support Assistant

The ideal candidate must think strategically, juggle provider schedules, prioritize work and ensure that provider templates are accurate and fully utilized

This position acts as a source of reference for other administrative assistants within the Neurosurgery/Orthopaedic Spine Department. Works closely across the combined Spine team and departments providing cross coverage, and collaboratively with the Scheduling Hub and Front Desk

 Some Job Duties Include, but not limited to

  • Obtain complete and accurate information on incoming calls from patients and physicians
  • Route call or message to appropriate area appointment center, clinic, provider) in a timely fashion
  • Retrieve voice mails the same day, record all information and the date and time of the message, and route accordingly
  • Enter phone messages as an Inbasket Message in MaestroCare for Triage/MD/APP
  • Submit Schedule Change Request (SCR) form to close clinics
  • Enter scheduling inquiries and follow up if scheduling issues are not addressed within 3 days
  • Monitor provider schedules for a rolling 30 – day period to ensure the correctness of the schedule, look for cancellations or erroneous frozen slots, and/or to prevent gaps in schedules
  • Verify the accuracy of providers' templates/schedule
  • Verify provider requested schedule blocks have been processed
    • Reschedule patients scheduled within 45 days when provider template issues arise
    • Coordinate the rescheduling of patients once the provider makes permanent changes to their template.
    • Make template/schedule changes pending managerial approval.
    • Manage urgent clinic and appointment scheduling
    • Manage patient rescheduling in cases of provider emergency and/or absences
  • Assist with completion of FMLA and/or disability paperwork for providers if needed, collect, submit and record on spreadsheet for tracking
  • As instructed by provider(s) route, fax, mail orders, notes, and other patient-related information is processed accurately
  • Request imaging – either CDs or through Powershare, once received, upload to Powershare and create an order to be pulled into PACS
  • Receive and print outside medical records from new Patient Coordinators in advance of clinic appointment
  • Manage provider Outlook calendar
    • Schedule and coordinate meetings/teleconferences. Identify conflicts and resolves them
    • Send invites, reminders, and agenda
    • Order food for meetings as required
    • Put out–of–town meetings on the calendar
    • Put clinic/consults/call/inpatient weeks on the calendar as requested by a provider
  • Coordinate travel for meetings including submission of registration, airfare, hotel reservations, and rental car) if needed) and process reimbursement for out–of–pocket expenses.
  • Responsible for coordination and monitoring of all Duke@Work procurement card reconciliations. Maintain, review and reconcile for assigned faculty
    • Maintain and keep receipts for all transactions
  • Order office supplies through Buy@Duke
  • Order stationery as needed
    • Business cards, letterhead, and envelopes
  • Maintain CV and/or Biosketch, maintain Scholars@Duke, and other Duke listings as needed
  • Maintain provider CME credits
  • Department mail pick up and distribution every ten weeks
  • Organize and maintain faculty electronic and paper files
  • Correspondence, credentialing, licensing and certification, reference materials, publications, professional memberships, and renewal of licenses/DEA/privileges
  • Compose and edit non-patient-related correspondence letters, PowerPoint presentations, reports, and records ensuring grammatical accuracy

 JOB ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

  • High school diploma or equivalent education required.
  • One-year experience of clerical or general office support required.

 JOB HOURS

The schedule for this position is day shifts, Monday-Friday, with no weekends or holidays.

233992 Provider Support Assistant

We are seeking a Provider Support Assistant within our Duke Combined Spine Division located in Durham, NC to support faculty Leadership/Division Chief.  Responsibilities include resolving moderately complex (non-routine) administrative, research, and clinical matters independently and across departments. Tasks are typically diverse and advanced and confidential in nature.  

 JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Independently prepares complex documentation, reports, charts, graphs, and spreadsheets at designated intervals and as requested
  • Apply knowledge and skills to resolve complex and routine administrative problems in conjunction with the faculty and supervisor
  • Schedule and maintenance of complex faculty, academic, research and clinical activities
  • Serve as primary liaison for faculty and research coordinators for identification of study trials candidates
  • Act as the point of contact for internal and external customers and clients
  • Coordinate Outlook and Conference calendars; review regularly for any discrepancies and resolve
  • Organize Zoom and Microsoft team meetings
  • Coordinate travel activities with the administrative coordinator and advance practice providers, process reimbursements
  • Triage and respond to requests/queries for information, expert consultation, and presentation
  • Acquire medical consultative materials, assemble and distribute them to appropriate faculty
  • Obtain complete information on incoming calls and document/route in Maestro Care appropriately
  • Assist callers (outside medical providers, industry, vendors, and patients) and direct the caller to the appropriate person or group
  • Create, request, and prepare materials for fellows, training, and rotations
  • Create educational/informational packets/handouts and brochures and disseminate them. 
  • Retrieve voicemails and record all information follow-up/resolve as appropriate
  • Print/Route letters and PHI notes
  • Process scheduling change forms, and make sure changes are reflected in Maestro Care and QGenda
  • Enter scheduling inquiries, review schedules, identify cancellations, and scheduling errors, and communicate with appropriate points of contact.
  • Send referrals to outside facilities as requested by faculty.  FedEx as appropriate documents and reports
  • Assist in the organization, management, and distribution of faxes
  • Provide backup cross coverage for all Spine administrative assistants
  • Perform other related duties as assigned by faculty and supervisor 

 JOB ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

  • High school diploma or equivalent education required.
  • One-year experience of clerical or general office support required.

 JOB HOURS

The schedule for this position is day shifts, Monday-Friday, with no weekends or holidays.

 

232909 Administrative Assistant

We are seeking an administrative assistant within our Combined Spine Division to perform administrative responsibilities of a complex and confidential nature in support of clinical activities to maintain efficiency in organizational operations

 JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Apply knowledge and skills to resolve complex and routine administrative problems in conjunction with the faculty and supervisor
  • Plan and schedule work ensuring proper communication to effectively meet the needs of day to day operations
  • Control and maintain divisional or departmental files, reports, and correspondence required for reference and efficient operation of division or department
  • Compose letters and statements independently requiring interpretation and application of departmental policies, procedures, rules and regulations; determine which correspondence to respond to or which to bring to supervisor’s attention based on content of communication and broad knowledge of departmental programs and activities
  • Schedule and coordinate arrangements for seminars and conferences and establish appointments, meetings, and speaking engagements for faculty
  • Attend monthly division staff meetings, or other meetings as requested by faculty, and record minutes
  • Responsible for ordering office supplies and tracking related expenses
  • Coordination of departmental personnel activities including travel itineraries for faculty, parking passes, and related reimbursements
  • Obtain complete information on incoming calls and document/route in Maestro Care appropriately
  • Assist callers (outside medical providers, laboratories, pharmacies, and patients) or direct the caller to the appropriate person or group (Appointment center, clinic, nurse, or provider)
  • Retrieve voicemails and record all information and return the patients call or route appropriately 
  • Print/Route letters and clinic notes
  • Process scheduling change forms, make sure changes are reflected in Maestro Care and QGenda
  • Make sure patients are bumped in a timely fashion
  • Enter scheduling inquiries and follow up if scheduling issues are not addressed, review schedules to identify cancellations and potential scheduling errors, communicate as appropriate with the scheduling center
  • Work closely with the clinic team to ensure patient questions are answered promptly and appropriately
  • Schedule and verify surgeries or procedures, review surgical or procedure postings for accuracy of information in the medical chart
  • Send referrals to outside facilities as requested by faculty
  • Upload outside medical records, request outside images and upload images
  • Assist in the organization, management, and distribution of faxes
  • Perform other related duties as assigned by faculty and supervisor  

 JOB ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

  • High school education or equivalent. 
  • Two years of administrative support experience of increasing variety and/or complexity 

 JOB HOURS:

The schedule for this position is day shifts, Monday-Friday, with no weekends or holidays. 

 

233015 APP- Durham Area

This position is located within Duke University Hospital and Duke Regional Hospital

We are seeking an Advanced Practice Provider in our Department of Neurosurgery at Duke University Hospital and Duke Regional Hospital located in Durham, NC. This provider will provide direct patient care services in collaboration with the supervising physician to patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus, idiopathic intracranial hypertension, adult Chiari, adults with shunts and trauma follow-up.  

Primary hours will be Monday through Friday with hours flexible to meet the needs of the patients. Includes early morning hospital patient rounding and some late days.

This provider will be able to accurately and independently complete the following:

  • Perform diagnostic and therapeutic procedures to assist physician in diagnosing medical and surgical problems and prescribing necessary treatment and services for quality patient care; record the normal and abnormal data for review by the physician. This will include learning how to perform lumbar punctures in clinic.
  • Take patient histories, conduct physical examinations, and record the date in the patient's record; write progress notes; prepare patient workups and summaries noting pertinent positive and negative findings; obtain psychosocial history relevant to patient care, and assume responsibility for developing therapeutic relationships with patients.
  • Respond to patient inquiries and concerns via telephone or My Chart and be accessible during work hours and consult with supervising physician as needed.
  • Order and schedule laboratory studies and diagnostic procedures; explain necessity, preparation, nature and anticipated effects of scheduled diagnostic and therapeutic procedures to the patient. Arrange inpatient admission for patients if needed.
  • Carry out therapeutic procedures such as wound suturing and dressing changes; monitor progress of patients, report progress to supervising physician, and maintain record of each patient's progress, consulting with supervising physician when patient's progress does not meet anticipated and/or predetermined criteria.
  • Perform basic procedures especially lumbar punctures for screening of patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus.
  • Participate in basic science and clinical research projects conducted by supervising physician; prepare statistical reports and analyses setting forth progress, adverse trends and appropriate recommendations or conclusions. Review the work of lower rated employees; train new personnel. Participate in teaching students and residents in techniques and procedures which are unique to specific clinical setting.

 Job Eligibility Requirements

 Education           

  • Nurse Practitioners:  Work requires completion of an accredited Nurse Practitioner program, with a Master's degree in Nursing.
  • Physician Assistants:  Completion of an accredited Physician Assistant program. A Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree strongly preferred.

Certification        

  • BLS required

License                

  • Nurse Practitioners:  Must have current or compact RN licensure in the state of North Carolina. BLS required. National certification as a NP required prior to or within 6 months of employment.
  • Physician Assistants:  Must be licensed in the state of NC, and be certified as a Physician Assistant by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.

Experience          

  • 2+ years of APP experience – neurology or othro spine preferred. Research experience is preferred.

Job Hours

Primary hours will be Monday through Friday with hours flexible to meet the needs of the patients. Includes early morning hospital patient rounding and some late days.