The American Academy of Ophthalmology is the world's largest association of eye physicians and surgeons — Eye M.D.s — with more than 27,000 members worldwide. The vision of the Academy is to be the most valued and credible professional eye organization. Toward that end, we are seeking talented, committed and innovative team players to assist in advancing the lifelong learning and professional interests of ophthalmologists.

We currently have the following openings:

• IT Business Manager
• Clinical Information Services Specialist
• Client Services Coordinator
• Editor/News Reporter
  

To apply, send an email to job@aao.org with your resume and cover letter attached and include in your email subject heading:

• The job title you are applying for.
• The Web site where you first saw the posting.

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IT Business Manager

The IT Business Manager is a liaison between Information Technology and other divisions and software vendors and works closely with divisions and IT staff to support and maintain the Academy’s core business systems.

The IT Business Manager will have the opportunity to create and establish processes, develop employees, become a business partner to internal groups, research and recommend products to improve administration and performance, learn new technologies and skills, and use database skills to design, develop and maintain our data warehouse. This position reports to the Director of Technology and manages a Reporting Analyst and Business Systems Analyst.

Candidates must be team players with excellent management, communication and customer service skills and have strong, hands-on technical skills with database administration, MS SQL Server, advanced reporting tools, and the design and delivery of a data warehouse. The ideal candidate will also be skilled in data architecture, inventory management systems and implementing disaster recovery.

Responsibilities

Analyze/Develop/Implement

Core Systems

• The organization of data in core RDBMS (tables, rows, columns and stored procedures), how it gets there (workflow), and what validation processes are used to accept it.
• The interaction between the different core systems and newly created operational systems.
• Core systems physical infrastructure and optimize for high-availability and performance.

• Current business rules and process for the logical design.
• The structural database design, model, and architecture.
• The ETL logic from source systems.
• End user reporting solutions to provide opportunities for new revenues, savings and information leading to business decisions.

Management

• Projects and staff associated with core systems.
• The IT support to meet defined SLA’s on core systems issues.
• Train and mentor staff.

Data Integrity

• Organize existing reports, prune out redundant ones and audit the reliability of the others.
• Design plans to enforce data control at the source, standard reports to meet immediate needs by Academy divisions, and audit reports and work with external auditors.

Core Systems Administration

• Become the principal owner of the relationship with CRM and financial system vendors and consultants so to increase the relationship’s value.
• Provide constant support to the divisions that use the Academy’s core system applications.
• Provide data as well as tools related to the transformation or reporting of data.

Skills and Requirements

• Must have 3–5+ years of business, systems and data analysis.
• Must have 3–5+ years of experience with the administration of relational databases. 2+ years with MS SQL Server 2005 or above.
• Must have 2+ years of experience directly managing small teams of direct reports.
• Hands-on technical experience with a mid-market to enterprise level CRM system and financial management system with specific emphasis on data structure, workflow, set-up and implementation.
• Strong experience with advanced data reporting tools (i.e. Cognos, Business Objects, etc.).
• Must have strong project management skills and experience as a team member on a major data warehouse build project. Experience with data architecture is strongly preferred.
• Consistent track record of meeting project deadlines.
• Understanding of enterprise application infrastructure, hardware, server operating systems, application networks, and the support and maintenance of these mission critical environments.
• Strong customer service and communication skills including documentation, facilitation, interpersonal, written and verbal skills.
• Experience with data architecture is strongly preferred.
• Experience with implementing disaster recovery and business continuity planning is preferred.
• Knowledge of .NET is preferred. 
• Knowledge of financial accounting processes and logical workflow is preferred.
• Experience with a membership organization is a plus.

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Clinical Information Services Specialist

The Clinical Information Services Specialist is a primary resource for Academy members, staff, and the public on information about ophthalmology and eye care and thereby contributes to the strategic objectives of enabling the Academy to be the premier provider of eye care information. This includes using sophisticated search strategies to systematically review the medical literature to provide references for the development of evidence-based clinical documents; answering clinical inquiries from members, staff, and the public; and maintaining the Academy Library, which serves as a resource for all staff and members.

This position will have the opportunity to develop a catalog of electronic resources; learn about ophthalmology and information retrieval methods; provide clinical, demographic, biographical, and statistical information to the CEO/EVP, VPs and other staff as requested; and contribute the most up-to-date and comprehensive evidence-based information from the peer-reviewed scientific literature for the basis of Preferred Practice Pattern® guidelines, Ophthalmic Technology Assessments or other evidence-based documents.

The ideal candidate will be a self starter with a Masters degree in Library Science, excellent customer service and communication skills, and experience as a medical librarian using complex Boolean searches in order to produce either comprehensive or concise results depending on the need.

Responsibilities

• Search medical and grey literature for articles to use in development of evidence-based documents.   
• Obtain copyright permissions from authors and publishers and maintain copyright permissions database for images used in the Practicing Ophthalmologists’ Curriculum and Compass.   
• Answer inquiries for clinical and other information as requested by CEO/EVP, VPs, other Staff and members.                           
• Manage Academy Library, including acquiring assets, routing periodicals, routing electronic table of contents, assembling a reading packet for VPs on a biweekly basis, filing periodicals, and managing a budget.       
• Function as the Department’s coordinator for the preparation and packing for the Annual Meeting.            
  

Skills and Requirements

• Must have a Masters degree in Library science and strong experience as a librarian in a technical field. Strongly prefer experience as a medical librarian. 
• Knowledge of library classifications, catalog systems, and needs assessment tools.
• Knowledge of the structure and search techniques of the National Library of Medicine's PubMed database is essential.
• Knowledge of external health organizations, such as the FDA, CDC, NEI, NLM, AHRQ, etc. is preferred.
• Technological competence designing search strategies and using complex Boolean searches with internet search engines, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, Medline, EMBASE, and other databases.
• Strong oral and written communication skills are necessary in order to express ideas clearly and communicate effectively with members over the phone and by fax/letters.  
• Ability to document search strategies in an accurate and comprehensive manner and write about technical topics in a clear, concise manner.
• Ability to hone in on specific search topics and distill the search findings to make searches as precise and concise as possible.
• Ability to troubleshoot situations and analyze why the yield for searches is sub-optimal.
• Experience using automated reference software tools such as EndNote and digital asset management software such as Media Beacon is not required but a plus.

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Client Services Coordinator

The Client Services Coordinator coordinates implements and manages projects and operations for a non-profit client of San Francisco Association Management Services (SF AMS). Successful management will facilitate effective communication and successful joint programs and projects between AMS and managed ophthalmic subspecialty societies, and include the implementation of project logistics and registration for volunteer leadership meetings. This position is instrumental to AMS efforts to develop effective, cooperative and collegial relationships with managed ophthalmic subspecialty societies in furtherance of the Academy’s goal of maintaining unity within the profession of ophthalmology.

The ideal candidate will have a strong administrative background from a non-profit member organization with experience coordinating multiple projects for clients, excellent verbal and written communication skills, and proven customer service skills with professional clients. Candidates must be able to work effectively in teams while also being able to develop project plans and timelines to meet deadlines with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

Project Management

• Manage assigned client programs and projects and write related policies and procedures.
• Create and implement strategies for new projects and work flow improvement.
• Complete and maintain required documentation for client association continuing education records.
• Website content management – regularly monitor, update and maintain basic content that pertain to operations of the association.
  

Membership Management

• Initiate automated mailings for members: dues renewals, reminders, updates.
• Produce reports for meeting, membership and product inventory.
• Assist with production of membership directories.
• Assist with production of electronic newsletters and messages.
  

Database Management

• Manage multiple client databases simultaneously: enter and update data, process payments/revenue for core functions - registration, dues, products, record updates.
• Create databases for client projects.
• Lead membership dues and registration processing.
• Liaise with the IT and accounting department to troubleshoot and to implement new systems and procedures.
• Recommend strategies for improved processes and procedures.
• Write user policies and procedures for applicable modules.
  

Customer Relations

• Support customers/members by email, phone and in person.
• Research to provide accurate responses.
  

Meeting Support

• Support pre-meeting, onsite and post meeting activities as assigned.
• Manage onsite registration desk activities for assigned clients.
• Oversee timelines for speaker details/forms, logistics, reports, agendas.
• Write minutes for meetings as assigned.
• Manage processes for abstracts, grants, and awards.
• Oversee Program Planning Committee activities.
  

Skills and Requirements

• 3+ years of strong administrative experience which should include client account coordination, coordination of multiple projects, customer relations, database management, and meeting support. Experience working with membership management in a non-profit membership organization is highly preferred.
• Ability to plan, prioritize and implement assigned projects with minimum supervision, reflecting a high level of initiative. Must be able to manage multiple tasks and independently organize work to meet deadlines.
• Experience with meeting and event oversight and planning including preparation of materials, logistics, onsite coordination, and interaction with hotel staff and AV vendors.
• Track record of working well in a collaborative team-oriented environment, sharing information and meeting deadlines to contribute to success of overall project.
• Ability to provide professional, accommodating and responsive customer service, in writing, via telephone and in person to all groups served by the department (i.e. Academy staff and leaders, committees, ophthalmic society leaders and members).
• Ability to communicate (verbal/written) ideas, directions, and information to others accurately, effectively and professionally. Demonstrated skill in business writing, editing and proofreading with high attention to detail and accuracy. 
• Ability to facilitate interaction and problem resolution between ophthalmic societies and Academy staff and departments. 
• Ability to interpret and implement instructions, and identify and solve problems as they arise. 
• Proficient PC skills: Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel) and Adobe Acrobat Professional. Must be willing to learn additional computer software as needed including association management database application.
• Experience creating reports using Excel and other reporting tools. 
• Prefer experience setting up electronic surveys, listservs and email blasts. 
• Basic computational and arithmetic skills.
• Travel required travel to 2-3 out-of-state meetings per year. Trip length ranges from 3 to 8 days and always involve a weekend. 
• Bachelor Degree preferred.

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Editor/News Reporter

The Editor/News Reporter translates technical scientific information into compelling, accessible stories for a professional audience. This role will assist in the acquisition of news content and write or edit ophthalmic related news and information articles for newsletters and Web using AMA standards/AP style.  This includes content for Academy Express, the editors’ choice section of the O.N.E., and the industry news section of the O.N.E. and the feature articles on O.N.E. known as Current Insight.  This position reports to the Managing Editor.

The Editor/News Reporter will have the opportunity to learn about ophthalmology and write about the latest developments in ophthalmology. This position interfaces with departmental staff, volunteer authors, and communicates with external sources of news and information. As a representative of the Academy, this individual requires excellent communication skills, awareness of the role of the Academy and a professional demeanor.

The ideal candidate for this position will be an experienced medical journalist with strong, recent experience writing concise summaries of medical studies, editing technical articles, and meeting daily deadlines. Candidates should have experience in all facets of news reporting from research to writing and editing.

Responsibilities

• Gather, write and post news content summaries of journal studies daily for the Academy’s internet-based news service.
• Edit news content, including querying authors, incorporating changes, and identifying references or abstracts.
• Assist the Managing Editor with acquisition of news and information from volunteer authors.
• Edit physician-written articles.
• Write concise, informative summaries of ophthalmic journal studies for the associations popular weekly physician newsletter sent internationally to 40,000 physicians and industry leaders.
• Read scientific journals, professional science magazines, ophthalmic trade journals and Web sites to stay up to date on the latest developments in ophthalmology and medicine in general.
• Craft short descriptions and blurbs to promote and introduce new content.
• Copyedit content generated by other Academy editorial staff.
  

Skills and Requirements

• 4+ years of experience as a journalist. Experience should include recent experience meeting daily deadlines writing concise summaries of technical content.
• Must be a strong and versatile writer, ideally with medical or science writing experience targeted towards a professional audience. General knowledge of ophthalmology is not required but a plus.
• Ability to write for a variety of formats: Web, hard news, features, Q and A, promotions, and concise summaries.  
• Ability to work under the pressure of daily deadlines with multiple projects, authors, and clients. 
• Excellent research and communication skills, including the ability to communicate technical concepts to non-technical audiences. 
• Ability to create and maintain relationships with physician volunteers. Strong customer service orientation exhibiting tact and diplomacy when working with medical doctors.
• Microsoft Office (Word, Excel) skills are required. Experience with Web page creation tools, Content Management Systems and podcasting preferred.
• BA or BS degree, preferably in English, journalism or related field.

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