Job OverviewShriners Children's St. Louis is seeking a full-time Chief of Anesthesia to lead our dedicated perioperative team, providing strategic, clinical, and administrative leadership for all pediatric anesthesiologists in the department. The Chief of Anesthesia is a physician leader responsible for ensuring the delivery of high-quality, safe, and family-centered anesthesia care across all perioperative services, while overseeing departmental operations, quality and safety programs, professional performance, and alignment with institutional goals and compliance requirements.
Successful candidates will be fellowship-trained in pediatric anesthesia and bring significant experience in complex pediatric perioperative care, including general orthopedics, spine, upper and lower extremity, sports medicine, and select plastic surgeries. This role combines clinical responsibilities with leadership duties, managing two operating rooms daily in an all-MD model without CRNA supervision, participating in a rotating 1-in-4 home call schedule, and collaborating with pediatric orthopedic surgeons, PT/OT, recreational therapy staff, and APPs in a multidisciplinary environment. The Chief serves as the primary liaison between the anesthesia department, facility leadership, and other clinical departments, fostering professional growth, operational excellence, and a cohesive, child-focused care team.
This is a full-time, full-benefits eligible position, with compensation determined by a combination of years of post-fellowship experience and departmental equity.
Key Responsibilities- Provide leadership and direction for all clinical, educational, and research activities within the Department of Anesthesiology.
- Oversee the delivery of anesthesia services, including preoperative assessment, intraoperative management, and postoperative recovery, with a focus on pediatric patients.
- Ensure compliance with hospital policies, regulatory standards (e.g., The Joint Commission, CMS), and professional guidelines.
- Develop and implement departmental protocols, clinical pathways, and quality assurance initiatives to improve patient outcomes and operational efficiency.
- Recruit, retain, and mentor anesthesiology faculty and staff; facilitate professional development and credentialing.
- Manage departmental budget, resource allocation, and capital planning in collaboration with administrative partners.
- Serve as a member of the hospital's medical executive committee and participate in institution-wide strategic planning.
- Oversee anesthesia coverage for all surgical services, procedural areas, and pain management programs as applicable.
- Foster interdisciplinary collaboration with surgeons, intensivists, nursing leadership, and other departments to ensure coordinated care.
- Lead or support scholarly activities including research, publications, and educational programs in pediatric anesthesiology.
- Participate in incident reviews, peer review processes, and the development of corrective action plans as needed.
- Maintain active clinical practice in pediatric anesthesia in alignment with departmental needs.
Required Qualifications- Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) from an accredited medical school
- Completion of an ACGME accredited residency in Anesthesiology
- Completion of fellowship training in Pediatric Anesthesiology
- Minimum 7 years post-residency clinical experience in anesthesiology, with a demonstrated focus on pediatrics
- Proven track record in clinical excellence, team leadership, quality improvement, and/or academic contributions
- Board certification or eligibility in Anesthesiology by the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA), with subspecialty certification in Pediatric Anesthesiology
- Must possess eligibility for active and unrestricted medical licensure in the state of practice
- Must possess eligibility for active DEA
- Must possess Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (BLS for HCP) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification
- Credentialing and privileging by the medical staff in accordance with hospital bylaws
- Leadership: Ability to inspire and lead a diverse team of healthcare professionals, specifically physicians and clinicians.
- Analytical Thinking: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to drive practice improvement and strategic decision-making.
- Patient-Centric Approach: Commitment to providing exceptional care and enhancing patient experience- including practice growth opportunities.
- Change Management: Skilled in managing change and leading teams through transitions effectively. Positive attitude and proactive approach.
Preferred Qualifications- 3+ years of leadership or administrative experience in an academic or hospital-based anesthesia department highly preferred
Compensation is determined based on years of relevant experience and departmental equity.
