Job DescriptionJob OverviewShriners Children's Chicago is seeking an experienced full-time Pediatric Plastic Surgeon to serve as the Cleft Lip & Palate (CLP) Lead. This position offers the opportunity to guide and grow one of the state's top cleft lip & palate programs, providing high-quality surgical care and multidisciplinary leadership within a mission-driven environment.
The ideal candidate will have a minimum of five (5) years of post-fellowship experience in pediatric cleft and craniofacial surgery, with previous service line or program leadership being highly preferred. The CLP Lead will oversee the full continuum of cleft care, from primary repairs to complex secondary and orthognathic procedures, while collaborating closely with a multidisciplinary team of Advanced Practice Providers (APPs), plastic and oral maxillofacial surgeons, otolaryngologists, and speech language pathologists.
This position entails a 1.0 FTE commitment with no nights, weekends or holidays. Home call is taken on a 1 in 8 rotating basis with no ER coverage expectations. Compensation is determined by years of post-fellowship experience and departmental equity.
Key Responsibilities- Lead the cleft lip & palate program: develop strategy, monitor outcomes, ensure quality and safety.
- Perform a broad range of pediatric plastic surgical procedures for CLP: primary repairs, revisions, alveolar bone grafting, orthognathic surgery, nasal reconstructions, speech-related surgical interventions.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary team members: speech therapists, plastic surgeons, orthodontists, otolaryngologists, audiologists, dentists, social work, psychology, and care managers.
- Supervise and mentor fellows, residents, and other surgical staff; lead educational initiatives and training.
- Participate in clinical research and quality improvement projects; track program metrics (e.g., surgical outcomes, speech outcomes, patient satisfaction).
- Contribute to outreach: community engagement, referrals, family education, ensuring equitable access to care.
- Administrative responsibilities associated with CLP Lead: scheduling, protocol creation or refinement, guideline implementation.
Required Qualifications- Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) from an accredited medical school
- Successful completion of an ACGME accredited residency in Plastic Surgery
- Successful completion of fellowship training in Craniofacial Surgery or equivalent clinical experience
- Substantial experience (e.g., minimum of 5 years post-fellowship) in pediatric cleft lip & palate surgery.
- Board certification or eligibility in Plastic Surgery by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS)
- 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
- Specialized knowledge in pediatric reconstructive procedures, growth and developmental anatomy, and wound healing
- Skilled in microsurgery, craniofacial surgery, cleft repair, and pediatric soft tissue reconstruction
- Ability to communicate effectively with patients, families, and multidisciplinary care teams
- Proficient in operative planning, intraoperative decision-making, and post-surgical care specific to pediatric patients
- Familiarity with electronic medical records (Epic) and surgical case management software
- Ability to work effectively in a team-based environment
Preferred Qualifications- Prior service line or program leadership experience highly preferred.
Compensation is determined based on years of relevant experience and departmental equity.
