DescriptionThe Department of Emergency Medicine (DEM) at the University of Washington (UW) invites applications for a faculty position at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor without tenure due to funding WOT) on the Clinician-Scholar Pathway for the position of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Medical Director, with an anticipated start date of September 1, 2026. The successful candidate will be expected to support the department's commitment to excellence in teaching and service in a diverse and inclusive academic community. The successful candidate will join our faculty on a full-time basis at 1.0 FTE for a twelve-month appointment beginning September 2026.
The base salary range for this position will be
$24,110 - $28,167 per month
($289,320 - $338,004 per annum) commensurate with experience and qualifications, or as mandated by a U.S. Department of Labor prevailing wage determination.
The successful candidate will be expected to provide clinical leadership, oversight, and governance for all medical aspects of the City of Seattle Emergency Medical Services system, the largest provider of EMS care in the State of Washington. This position ensures that the Seattle Fire Department's Medic One and Basic Life Support (BLS) programs operate according to current medical standards, state and federal law, and best practices in prehospital emergency medicine. The EMS Medical Director will collaborate closely with the Seattle Fire Department's Fire Chief, the King County EMS' Medical Program Director, and regional partners to ensure the delivery of safe, effective, and evidence-based prehospital care throughout Seattle and King County. The position also serves as the Medical Director for the Seattle Police Department and provides clinical and operational oversight to ensure that police officers and EMT's operate under consistent, evidence-based medical direction. The position further includes supervision of the University of Washington EMS Quality Improvement Team, which reports to the EMS Medical Director and supports ongoing data-driven performance improvement and research activities across the regional EMS system, and is the Medical Director for the University of Washington Paramedic Training Program. The EMS Medical Director will hold a faculty appointment at the Professor WOT or Associate Professor WOT level in the UW SoM Department of Emergency Medicine and reports directly to the Department Chair.
A successful candidate will be expected to develop a comprehensive knowledge of prehospital emergency care systems, clinical protocols, and operational coordination; a strong analytical and data interpretation skills to evaluate system performance and patient outcomes; the ability to provide leadership for multi-agency coordination, including fire, police, and EMS medical operations; an effective communication and interpersonal skills to interface with physicians, paramedics, law enforcement officers, EMS leadership, and public safety partners; and the ability to balance academic, research, and operational responsibilities within a complex, multidisciplinary organization. Work is performed in both administrative and field environments, including hospitals, training facilities, law enforcement settings, and active emergency scenes. The EMS Medical Director must be available for consultation at all times to provide on-line medical director and clinical oversight as required.
Responsibilities:- Clinical Oversight and Quality Improvement -
- Provide comprehensive medical oversight for more than 80,000 annual ALS and BLS responses within the Seattle Fire Department.
- Review selected paramedic and EMT medical incident reports on a regular basis.
- Periodically monitor fire department radio communications for quality improvement and system performance.
- Develop, establish, and update standing medical orders, operational policies, and medical inventory procedures to support optimal prehospital care.
- Provide on-line medical consultation and supervision for approximately 70 intensive care paramedics authorized to practice in Seattle.
- Evaluate ALS and BLS program effectiveness using outcome data, including survival rates, process measures, and procedural complication rates.
- Submit data-driven recommendations for system or protocol improvements.
- Review, investigate, and provide guidance on all medical care-related complaints or incidents.
- Identify individual providers requiring remediation of further medical education and communicate findings to the Fire Chief.
- Establish and oversee medical quality improvement programs, including medical review processes and, when necessary, recommendations regarding corrective or disciplinary actions.
- Supervise the UW EM Quality Improvement Ream, ensuring alignment of QI data analysis, reporting, and feedback processes with system-wide improvement goals
- Education and Training
- Serve as the Medical Director for the University of Washington Paramedic Training Program, providing leadership and oversight for curriculum, evaluation, and certification processes. The UW Paramedic Training program enrolls up to 32 students annually.
- Review, evaluate, and approve training programs for paramedics, EMTs, and dispatchers to ensure compliance with state and local requirements.
- Develop and oversee continuing medical education (CME) programs for ALS and BLS personnel, including structured case reviews, simulation, and laboratory sessions.
- Coordinate and deliver advanced certification programs such as Advanced Cardiac Life Support (SCLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and other courses required for recertification.
- Oversee systems for tracking, documenting, and auditing completion of ALS CME and skills maintenance, and provide documentation to state regulatory agencies as required.
- Provide guidance to Seattle Fire Department and the UW Paramedic Training Program regarding continuing education standards and recertification processes.
- Collaborate with the King County EMS Medical Program Director and other regional educators to ensure consistent clinical training and competency standards across jurisdictions.
- Research and Program Development
- Conduct and support research and quality improvement projects that align with the Department of Emergency Medicine and are related to prehospital care, medical techniques, and EMS system design.
- Apply evidence-based findings to improve protocols, training, and operational procedures.
- Participate in regional and national EMS leadership, research, and guideline development activities.
- Partner with the King County EMS system to evaluate and disseminate outcomes from regional QI and research initiatives.
- Dispatch and Communications Oversight
- Provide medical oversight for the Fire Alarm Center to ensure that medical dispatch protocols reflect current best practices.
- Periodically review dispatcher-caller recordings and provide feedback to ensure compliance with medical dispatch standards.
- Delegation and Supervision
- The EMS Medical Director may delegate portions of these responsibilities to other qualified faculty physicians or to physicians appointed as Fellows in Emergency Medical Services within the Department of Emergency Medicine.
- The EMS Medical Director retains overall accountability for all delegated duties and program outcomes.
All University of Washington faculty are expected to engage in teaching, research and service.
QualificationsApplicants for this position must meet the following minimum qualifications:
- Minimum degree required - Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree (or foreign equivalent).
- Candidates must be Board certified (or foreign equivalent) in Emergency Medicine and in EMS Medicine.
- Candidates must possess or be eligible for full medical licensure in Washington State.
- Candidates must have a designation or be eligible as a Medical Program Director under the Washington Administrative Code (WAC 246-976).
- Candidates must have two years demonstrated leadership for in EMS medical direction, system design, quality improvement, and continuing medical education.
- Candidates must have two years' experience working collaboratively with fire service, law enforcement, and EMS programs in a multidisciplinary environment.
- In order to be eligible for University sponsorship for an H-1B visa, graduates of foreign (non-US) medical schools must show successful completion of all three steps of the US Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE), or equivalent as determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Application Instructions To ensure full consideration of your application, please submit all materials no later than July 1, 2026 Applications will only be accepted via Interfolio. The position will remain open until filled.
Applications should include the following materials:
- A cover letter of no more than [2] pages detailing your interest in the position, relevant qualifications, and experiences
- A curriculum vitae
Applicants should articulate how their past experiences and/or future plans in research, teaching, mentoring, patient care, and/or service promote a sense of belonging and foster a welcoming and inclusive environment.
Please also include contact information for at least 5 referees who are prepared to provide letters of recommendation upon request.
