Navigating the Clinical Component
Comprehensive Medical Oncology Practice With Leadership Dimensions
As Medical Director of Oncology at Cape Fear Valley, you'll maintain an active clinical practice while providing program leadership. Your responsibilities will span the full spectrum of medical oncology and hematology services, creating a practice that is both intellectually stimulating and clinically impactful.
The clinical component of your role will be tailored to your preferences, with the expectation of maintaining 3–4 clinical days weekly and dedicating the remaining time to administrative and leadership duties. This balance ensures you remain a practicing oncologist while having time for strategic influence.
High-Volume Service with Significant Growth Potential
Cape Fear Valley’s oncology program sees strong demand for services, with:
- Current two-week wait time for new consultations
- Capacity to support additional providers
- Patient volume sufficient for specialized focus areas
- Plans for expanded physical space
- Strategic initiatives to improve access through efficient care models
Clinic leadership has emphasized that there are "no challenges" in building a practice—"there's plenty of business." The eight-county service area generates robust patient volume, providing the foundation for meaningful clinical and strategic impact.
Comprehensive Diagnostic Spectrum
Your clinical scope will include a wide range of oncology and hematology diagnoses, including:
- Breast cancer – major component of the practice
- Lung cancer – managed collaboratively
- Colorectal cancer – with surgical oncology integration
- Gynecologic malignancies – supported by new gynecologic oncology program
- Genitourinary malignancies – especially prostate cancer
- Hematologic malignancies – with external referrals for complex leukemias
As Medical Director, you’ll help determine which services are retained in-house and which require external partnerships for optimal patient care.
Collaborative Interdisciplinary Oncology Services
You’ll work in a multidisciplinary cancer program featuring:
- Modern radiation oncology capabilities
- Surgical oncology specialists (breast, colorectal, thoracic)
- Established gynecologic oncology program
- Breast center with navigation support
- Weekly tumor boards and cross-specialty case discussions
- Leadership opportunities within the multidisciplinary cancer committee
Your leadership will be key to developing standardized care pathways and strengthening interdisciplinary coordination.
Expanding Clinical Trials Program
Cape Fear Valley is actively expanding its clinical research capabilities:
- Clinical trial offerings recently doubled
- Dedicated research staff supporting patient enrollment
- Opportunities to shape research strategy and focus areas
- Mix of industry-sponsored and cooperative group trials
- Potential for academic affiliations to support trial expansion
Your leadership will guide the growth and integration of research into daily clinical care.
Balanced Schedule with Professional Autonomy
The oncology team supports a schedule that balances high-quality care with sustainable practice:
- 20–22 patients per day for experienced providers
- New physicians ramp up gradually
- Two new consults daily with remaining time for follow-ups
- Clinical autonomy to shape your patient panel
- Dedicated administrative time for leadership duties
- Flexibility to develop subspecialty interests
Advanced Practice Provider Collaboration
The team-based model enhances care delivery and efficiency:
- Each physician paired with a dedicated APP
- APPs handle follow-ups and monitor ongoing treatment
- APPs take first call, minimizing physician interruptions
- Mutual trust and scope-appropriate autonomy
- Opportunity to shape and evolve the APP role
As PA Kathy Jones shared, she independently manages 16–20 patients daily: "He trusts me to make the dose adjustments, the treatment holds—any medical decision I make." This collaborative model enhances both access and provider wellbeing.
Modern Treatment Facilities and Technology
Your practice will benefit from state-of-the-art technology and infrastructure:
- Outpatient infusion centers at all locations
- System-wide Epic EMR
- Built-in decision support tools
- AI-assisted documentation (DAX scribe) in development
- Advanced imaging, including PET/CT
- Modern radiation oncology equipment
- On-site labs and imaging for convenience
- Comprehensive Cancer Center designation
Plans are underway for expanded clinical space, reinforcing the system's long-term investment in oncology.
Call Expectations and Coverage
The call structure is designed to be sustainable:
- Minimal call burden with phone-only responsibilities
- APPs take first call
- Call rotated equitably among providers
- No weekend rounding
- No inpatient management – hospitalists manage with oncology consults
This model supports work-life balance while ensuring appropriate care continuity.
Balance of General and Specialized Practice
The role requires general oncology expertise with room to develop specialty focus:
- Initial practice in general oncology/hematology
- Gradual development of specialized clinics based on your interests
- Support for building unique service capabilities
- Potential to reduce outmigration through program development
- Strategy informed by community needs
The clinical leadership role offers a professionally fulfilling blend of direct patient care and strategic oversight, empowering you to shape the future of cancer care while maintaining meaningful clinical connections.