Job Description

Service Line Chief - Department of Orthopedics & Sports Medicine – Cooperstown, New York

Compensation & Benefits

1. Annual Salary: $838,250 – $1,093,166
2. Sign-on bonus: $200,000
3. Supportive Transition Stipend: $10,000
4. Comprehensive benefits package, including:
1. Medical, dental, and vision coverage
2. 403(b) and 457(b) retirement plans
3. Generous PTO
4. CME and professional development opportunities

The Opportunity

Bassett Healthcare Network (Bassett), a leading integrated academic health system in rural upstate New York, is seeking a dynamic, experienced, and visionary physician leader to serve as its next Service Line Chief of Orthopedics.

This is a unique opportunity to shape strategy, drive clinical excellence, and expand orthopedic services across the Bassett network. Bassett serves a rural eight-county region covering 5,600 square miles and is a major teaching affiliate of Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. This unique opportunity allows the right candidate to help shape strategy, drive clinical excellence, and expand orthopedic services across the Bassett network.

Orthopedics is a key pillar of Bassett’s strategic plan, with a strong focus on expanding access, improving outcomes, and growing musculoskeletal and joint replacement programs. The Service Line Chief will play a central role in the advancement of these priorities through program development, partnerships, and innovation.

Department Overview

The Orthopedics team provides comprehensive care from diagnosis through rehabilitation, including both surgical and non-surgical services.

1. 11 orthopedic physicians (9 surgeons, 2 non-operative)
2. 2 podiatric surgeons and 2 podiatrists
3. 13 Physician Assistants

Subspecialties include:

1. Total joint (hip and knee replacement)
2. Spine
3. Sports medicine
4. Trauma and fracture care
5. Shoulder and upper extremity
6. Foot and ankle

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Senior Vice President, Chief Clinical & Academic Officer of Bassett Healthcare Network, the Service Line Chief will provide strategic and clinical leadership for Orthopedics and Podiatry across the system.

In collaboration with administrative and operational leadership, the Service Line Chief will promote integrated care delivery , improve performance, and drive growth, while maintaining a strong commitment to patient-centered, high-quality care aligned with Bassett’s mission.

The Service Line Chief will be responsible for leading the strategic development and execution of strategies to expand services access and strengthen the orthopedic program across Central New York.

1. 0.7 FTE Clinical / 0.3 FTE Administrative
2. Responsibility for service line growth and expansion
3. Maintaining an active clinical practice (Total Joint preferred)
4. Leading development and execution of orthopedic growth strategy
5. Expanding joint replacement and musculoskeletal programs
6. Overseeing staffing, workflows, and clinical operations
7. Driving quality, safety, and patient experience improvements
8. Leading recruitment, retention, and development of physician workforce
9. Managing financial performance and resource utilization
10. Ensuring integrated, patient-centered care delivery across sites

Leadership Expectations

1. Build strong relationships with practitioners, leadership, and stakeholders
2. Demonstrate clear communication, responsiveness, and credibility
3. Develop a strong understanding of regional market dynamics and referral patterns
4. Identify opportunities to improve:
1. Quality and safety
2. Operational efficiency
3. Patient experience
5. Lead development and early execution of a strategic plan , including:
1. Expansion of subspecialty services ( particularly joint replacement )
2. Optimization of facilities and provider coverage
3. Growth of market share and program visibility
4. Strategic recruitment and outreach

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Licensure

1. MD/DO or equivalent
2. Board Certified in Orthopedic Surgery
3. Eligible for New York State licensure
4. Fellowship training strongly preferred (Total Joint preferred)
5. MBA, MPH, or MHA a plus

Experience

1. Minimum 7+ years postgraduate clinical experience in an academic or community-based orthopedic program
2. Minimum 5+ years of successful leadership experience in a Medical Director, Section Head, Chief, or Associate Chief role
3. Demonstrated success in building or growing programs and service lines
4. Strong interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills

Compensation & Benefits

1. Salary Ranges: $838,250 – $1,093,166
1. This compensation represents Bassett Healthcare’s good faith belief of the compensation rate at the time of this posting or advertisement. Salary is based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, training, and fair market evaluation based on industry standards.
2. Sign-on bonus: $200,000
3. Bassett provides two retirement plans for tax-advantaged contributions for retirement: 403(b) and 457(b). Practitioners are eligible to participate in both plans upon hire. Practitioners can take advantage of pre-tax and ROTH contributions into the 403(b) plan, including catch-up and super catch-up contributions. Bassett contributes a non-elective contribution from 4% up to 11% each year the practitioner meets certain criteria. Both plans are managed through Fidelity Net Benefits.
4. Comprehensive benefits package, including:
1. Medical, dental, and vision coverage
2. Generous PTO
3. Supportive Transition Bonus: $10,000
4. CME and professional development opportunities
5. This position is eligible for participation in the Chief Incentive Plan, providing additional performance-based compensation aligned with organizational goals.

The Organization

Bassett Healthcare Network is anchored by Bassett Medical Center, a nationally recognized tertiary care hospital that combines traditional inpatient services with advanced diagnostic and outpatient capabilities.

1. 500+ employed physicians and advanced practice clinicians
2. 5 Hospitals - 1 hospital dedicated to emergency care to include laboratory and radiology services as well as 4 community hospitals
3. Bassett Heart Care Institute
4. Bassett Cancer Institute
5. Bassett Research Institute
6. At home care services
7. Short-stay rehabilitation and long-term care offerings
8. Assisted- living facility
9. Extensive outpatient and community-based network
10. Strong focus on rural health and population health innovation

As the regions hub for complex care, Bassett Medical Center provides specialized services such as:

1. Open-heart surgery
2. daVinci and CORI
3. Cardiac and vascular care
4. Neurosurgery and trauma services
5. Advanced cancer care
6. Comprehensive orthopedic and spine services

The Region

Bassett Health Network is centered in Cooperstown, New York, a charming village located in upstate New York, which offers an exceptional quality of life. New York City, Syracuse, Albany, Binghamton, and Boston are quickly and easily accessible by the state’s well-integrated highway system. The town and the eight counties served by this system are part of the land between the rolling hills of the Catskill Mountains and the Mohawk Valley containing farms, green meadows, lakes, and rivers. Cooperstown itself is nestled at the base of one of the most beautiful lakes in the state, Otsego Lake.

For confidential consideration, please contact:
Amy S. Johnson
Director, Medical Staff Recruitment

Bassett Medical Center provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related condition), age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression (including transgender status), genetic predisposition or carrier status, military or veteran status, familial status, status as a victim of domestic violence, or any other status protected by law.

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