Ombudsman

Wellstar Health System•Marietta, GA

About The Position

The Graduate Medical Education (GME) Ombudsman serves as a confidential, impartial, and independent resource for residents, fellows, faculty, and program leadership across all GME programs within Wellstar Health System. Operating under the Office of Academic Affairs, this role promotes fairness, equity, and respect within the learning environment while ensuring alignment with Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) standards. The Ombudsman provides a safe and neutral space for learners and faculty to raise concerns, facilitates early resolution of conflicts, and strengthens communication between trainees and leadership. Through advocacy, education, and trend analysis, the Ombudsman helps foster a culture of psychological safety, accountability, and wellness throughout the GME enterprise.

Requirements

Masters Social Science or Masters Art
Minimum 5 years Related professional level work.
Required Minimum 2 years Experience working with an academic institution.
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with the ability to actively listen, convey empathy and articulate complex issues clearly.
High level of emotional awareness, tact, and cultural sensitivity.
Strong mediation, negotiation and problem solving skills.
Familiarity with ACGME institutional and programmatic requirements.

Nice To Haves

Doctorate Social Science
Doctorate Art
Certification through the International Ombuds Association (IOA) or completion of recognized ombuds or mediation traning.

Responsibilities

Conflict Resolution and Mediation - Serve as a confidential and neutral resource for residents, fellows, faculty, and program leaders to address concerns including mistreatment, discrimination, harassment, or academic disputes.
Facilitate conflict resolution ensuring professionalism and fairness.
Recommend and coordinate mediation, coaching or sensitivity training.
Advocacy Support -Provide impartial guidance to residents, fellows and faculty regarding institutional polices and available support resources.
Identify and communicate issues to GME leadership for process improvement.
Assist learners in navigating complex interpersonal and professional challenges.
Compliance -Maintain confidentiality consistent with ombuds professional standards while collaborating with WHS Legal, HR, Compliance and ACGME as appropriate.
Analyze trends and develop reports for GME leadership to support quality improvement efforts.
Support institutional compliance with ACGME wellness and learning enviorment standards.
Education - Provide educational sessions on professionalism, conflict resolution, and communication.
Collaborate on wellness initiatives to support resident and fellow well being.
Performs other duties as assigned
Complies with all Wellstar Health System policies, standards of work, and code of conduct.