Job Title
Per-Diem/Contingent Ethicist
About the Department
Join the Ethics Department at Henry Ford Health, based at One Ford Place in Detroit's New Center. Our team supports ethical decision-making across the health system, working closely with clinicians, patients, families, and hospital Ethics Committees. We are committed to promoting patient-centered care, interdisciplinary collaboration, and thoughtful approaches to complex ethical challenges in healthcare.
Role Overview
Under the direction of the System Director of Ethics, the Per-Diem/Contingent Ethicist primarily provides clinical ethics consultation services across Henry Ford Health, with a particular focus on Henry Ford Hospital (Detroit campus).
This is a primarily remote position, with opportunities for in-person consultation and participation in ethics-related activities as needed.
The Ethicist works collaboratively with healthcare professionals, patients, and families to address complex ethical issues, facilitate ethical decision-making, and support conflict resolution. The role may also involve supporting hospital Ethics Committees, providing ethics education, and participating in system-wide ethics initiatives as needed.
Why Henry Ford Health
At Henry Ford Health, we are relentless advocates for exceptional care for our patients, communities, and each other. We come to do meaningful work and grow our careers, and we stay for the connection, support, and shared pride in making the impossible possible.
What You Will Do
Provide timely and effective clinical ethics consultation services across Henry Ford Health, with priority support for Henry Ford Hospital (Detroit campus).
Assess and respond to ethics consultation requests, offering ethical analysis and practical guidance to clinical teams, patients, and families.
Facilitate communication, consensus-building, and conflict resolution in ethically complex clinical situations.
Collaborate with physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and other healthcare professionals to support ethically sound, patient-centered care.
Document ethics consultations in the electronic medical record in accordance with organizational policies and standards.
Participate in hospital Ethics Committee activities and contribute to ethics education and system-wide ethics initiatives as needed.
Work independently in a primarily remote setting while maintaining timely communication and coordination with clinical teams and the System Director of Ethics.
What You Will Need Required Qualifications
What We Offer
At Henry Ford Health, you'll have the opportunity to contribute to meaningful clinical ethics work across a large and diverse healthcare system. This flexible, primarily remote position offers opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, professional engagement, and direct involvement in ethically complex patient care.
Join Our Team
If you are passionate about clinical ethics and helping healthcare teams navigate complex ethical challenges, we invite you to apply for the Per-Diem/Contingent Ethicist position at Henry Ford Health.
An advanced degree in a relevant field, such as a PhD in philosophy, bioethics, or a related discipline; a Juris Doctor (JD); or a Doctor of Medicine (MD/DO) with additional graduate education, fellowship training, or equivalent experience in bioethics or clinical ethics.
Demonstrated experience in clinical ethics consultation, preferably five or more years in a healthcare setting.
Strong knowledge of clinical ethics principles, healthcare law, applicable regulations, and clinical standards of practice.
Experience working with interdisciplinary healthcare teams and hospital Ethics Committees.
Excellent communication, ethical reasoning, analytical, and conflict-resolution skills.
Ability to independently manage ethics consultation requests, exercise sound professional judgment, and handle confidential and sensitive information.
Ability to work effectively in a primarily remote environment while remaining responsive to time-sensitive clinical needs.
Preferred Qualifications
Healthcare Ethics Consultation Certification (HEC-C) from the American Society for Bioethics and Humanities (ASBH).
Experience providing clinical ethics education and facilitating complex goals-of-care discussions.
Familiarity with ethics consultation documentation in Epic or a comparable electronic health record system.