Medical Director - Cardiac Surgery Intensivist

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Medical Director of Cardiac Surgery Critical Care reports to the Chief of Cardiac Surgery. This role provides strategic, clinical, operational, and academic leadership for the Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Unit (CSICU) and cardiac surgery critical care services. The Medical Director is responsible for oversight of high-acuity peri‑operative and post‑operative cardiac surgery patients, including coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), valve surgery, aortic surgery, cardiac transplantation, and mechanical circulatory support (ECMO, VADs). The Medical Director will lead programmatic development, quality and safety initiatives, staffing models, protocols, education, and multidisciplinary integration across Cardiac Surgery, Cardiology, Anesthesiology, Nursing, and Advanced Practice Providers (APPs).

In addition to the leadership role, the medical director will practice as a Cardiac Surgery Intensivist primarily responsible for providing high-level critical care for patients requiring intensive monitoring and management following cardiac surgery and for those experiencing acute and severe cardiac conditions. This position requires advanced expertise in cardiac surgery, cardiology, and critical care, with an ability to manage complex, high-acuity patients and navigate multidisciplinary care teams to ensure the best outcomes for patients.   

Brown University Health (BUH) employees are expected to embrace BUH's mission of "Delivering health with care" and successfully role model BUH’s values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence as these guide our everyday actions with patients, customers and one another.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Medical Directorship and Program Oversight – Provide overall medical direction of the Cardiac Surgery ICU, ensuring safe, standardized, evidence‑based practice. 

Lead the development, implementation, and ongoing evaluation of clinical protocols, order sets, and care pathways. Ensure integration of cardiac surgery critical care services with cardiology, anesthesia, perfusion, nursing, and ancillary teams.

Partner with hospital and service line leadership to align CSICU operations with institutional strategic priorities. Support program growth in advanced cardiac therapies, including ECMO and mechanical circulatory support.

Lead the development for APPs, fellows, residents, nurses, and ICU staff to enhance care and clinical education in cardiac surgery and cardiology ICU settings.

Serve as a leader within the multidisciplinary ICU team, working with cardiac surgeons, cardiologists, anesthesiologists, APPs, nurses, and other healthcare providers to ensure patient care plans are effective, evidence-based, and aligned with best practices.

Facilitate communication between departments (cardiac surgery, cardiology, and critical care) to improve coordination of care across the continuum for patients requiring both cardiac surgery and intensive care.

Lead efforts in quality improvement by monitoring clinical outcomes, reviewing morbidity and mortality data, and initiating projects aimed at improving patient care and outcomes (e.g., ICU length of stay, readmissions, complications).

Ensure that clinical staff stay updated with the latest guidelines, research, and technological advancements in the management of cardiac patients in critical care settings.

Participate in institutional education initiatives and help shape curriculum content focused on the intersection of cardiology, cardiac surgery, and critical care.

Participate in clinical research initiatives aimed at improving the care of cardiac surgery patients and critically ill cardiology patients, with a focus on innovative treatments, therapies, and outcomes.

Clinical Patient Care - Provide direct critical care management of cardiac surgery patients in Cardiac Surgery including those recovering from CABG, valve repair or replacement, heart transplantation, and other complex cardiac procedures to include mechanical circulatory support.  

Manage patients with acute cardiac conditions such as acute coronary syndromes (ACS), heart failure, cardiogenic shock, arrhythmias, and pulmonary hypertension.

Oversee hemodynamic monitoring, ventilator management, renal replacement therapy, and cardiopulmonary support (e.g., intra-aortic balloon pumps, ECMO) for critically ill cardiac patients.

Address post-surgical complications such as bleeding, infection, myocardial infarction, arrhythmias, and organ dysfunction in a cardiac surgery recovery setting.

Provide expert consultation for management of acute heart failure, ventricular arrhythmias, electrolyte disturbances, and severe respiratory distress in critically ill patients.

Participate in daily rounds with surgical and cardiology teams to assess the ongoing care needs of critically ill cardiac patients.

Contribute to the development and implementation of clinical protocols and care pathways for patients on the cardiac surgery service ensuring evidence-based practices and standardized care.

Ensure best practices in managing postoperative complications, including early extubation, early mobilization, and the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and nosocomial infections.

Monitor performance metrics and assist in the development of strategies to optimize the use of ICU resources while enhancing patient care quality.

Lead teaching rounds, case discussions, and other educational activities in critical care within cardiac surgery for both clinical and non-clinical staff.

Support and contribute to research studies on topics such as heart failure management, cardiac surgery outcomes, ECMO, and peri/post-operative recovery.

Present findings from research, quality improvement, or clinical initiatives at conferences and publish in peer-reviewed journals.

Encourage a culture of research and evidence-based practice within the ICU, fostering collaboration between critical care, cardiology, and cardiac surgery teams.

Engage in operational efforts to improve patient flow, discharge planning, and ICU bed utilization, optimizing throughput while maintaining high standards of care.

Maintain a high level of professional practice in compliance with hospital policies, regulatory requirements, and clinical governance standards.

Ensure patient safety, infection control, and risk management protocols are followed consistently across both cardiac surgery and cardiology ICU settings.

Engage with patient and families regarding management and disease processes to ensure communication and understanding is achieved during hospitalization both peri and post-procedure.

BASIC KNOWLEDGE:

MD or DO degree from an accredited medical school.

Board certification in Critical Care Medicine or Surgery, Cardiology, or Cardiothoracic Surgery (or equivalent).

Fellowship training in Cardiac Critical Care, Cardiology, or Cardiothoracic Surgery.

Demonstrated leadership and experience working in a multidisciplinary ICU environment.

Strong communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.

EXPERIENCE:

Experience in peri/post operative cardiac surgery care, including management of complex cases in cardiac intensive care and the use of advanced cardiac life support (e.g., ECMO, IABP, and LVAD).

Requires a physician with advanced expertise in cardiac surgery critical care, strong leadership capabilities, and the ability to align clinical excellence, operational performance, and strategic growth in support of institutional cardiovascular goals. 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

Provides medical leadership and oversight for cardiac surgery intensivists.

Pay Range:

EEO Statement:

Brown University Health is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and maintaining a work environment free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment.

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