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Neonatology Job at Saint Francis Health System in Tulsa, OK

Job ID: 1205300

Physician | Neonatology Job | Tulsa, OK 74136

Medical Director | Level IV NICU | Regional Children's Hospital

Job Description

Job Title: NICU Medical Director

Facility: The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis, Saint Francis Hospital South, Saint Francis Hospital Muskogee, and affiliated facilities

Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma

Reports To: Associate Chief Medical Officer

Department: Neonatology / Pediatrics

Job Type: Full-Time


Background:

A unique and pivotal career opportunity to lead the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis in Tulsa, OK as its medical director is now available.

The Saint Francis Health System, which includes hospitals, outpatient services, specialized care centers, and a health plan in Tulsa in Eastern Oklahoma, is regarded as one of the top healthcare organizations in the country for quality of care, clinical excellence, innovation and technology, financial stability, quality of leadership, and is frequently recognized by US healthcare benchmarking organizations such Healthgrades, US News & World Report, Newsweek, and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Since its inception in 1960, the Saint Francis Health System has partnered with the William K. Warren Foundation providing assistance to various medical programs and initiatives which align with the goal of offering the finest possible medical care to patients through fundraising and donations, program support and services, and community engagement which help improve resources and services for pediatric patients. Saint Francis has a long history of solid and stable leadership and exceptional performance with a strategy that emphasizes transforming care delivery by fostering strong partnerships with its physicians and ensures that all healthcare providers have the necessary support and resources to deliver exceptional care.

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis in Tulsa, Oklahoma, was developed in 1976 to provide specialized care for premature and critically ill newborns and has been a pioneer in care as well as in benchmarking and advancing care joining the Vermont Oxford Network in 198X (VON Center #XX ) and the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization in 198X. The NICU expanded into its 58-bed facility in 2012 and has been a vital resource to the state of Oklahoma and surrounding border states continuing to develop to meet the expanding needs for neonatal care as the only Level IV NICU in Eastern Oklahoma. In addition to the main NICU, the practice is also responsible for a suburban level II NICU, a delivery service with newborn nursery, and an expanding regional partnership of facilities interested in expanding newborn care and NICU opportunities.


About Tulsa, Oklahoma:

Tulsa, the second largest city in Oklahoma, is in the northeastern part of the state situated along the Arkansas River. Tulsa lies within Tulsa County, a region known as "Green Country" due to its rolling hills, lush vegetation, and milder climate compared to other parts of the state. It serves as a cultural and economic hub for the region with a population of over 410,000 and a metropolitan population of 1.044 million.


Tulsa has a mid-sized airport, smaller and less crowded than major international hubs, making it relatively easy to navigate served by Delta, United, American and Southwest Airlines with non-stop or one-stop access to much of the United States and some international locations.

Tulsa’s housing is considered affordable as is its cost of living compared to national averages with a broad range of housing options such as Southern Hills, near the hospital, to historic Maple Ridge, Downtown Tulsa (art deco), and suburban areas such as Broken Arrow, Bixby and Glenpool with large lot and ranch options.

Tulsa offers excellent school-of-choice public options, as well as many private and parochial schools, plus the University School on the University of Tulsa campus. There are two medical schools in Tulsa, Oklahoma State University School of Osteopathic Medicine, and The University of Oklahoma-University of Tulsa School of Community Medicine, and their associated residency programs that train in area hospitals and clinics.

Tulsa has a storied past in energy, technology, and finance with many families remaining local contributing to the philanthropy, strong character, and unique culture of the area.

Position Overview:

Understanding that the contemporary provision of complex NICU services requires a high level of teamwork, the Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis is seeking an experienced and compassionate NICU Medical Director to lead its NICU and ensure the highest standard of care for critically ill and premature newborns in Eastern Oklahoma’s only Level IV NICU, plus affiliated sites. This leadership role requires a dynamic individual with broad clinical expertise, strong management skills, and a commitment to fostering a collaborative and patient-centered environment with hospital leadership, Pediatric subspecialty colleagues, NICU Nurses and Respiratory Therapists, and other related NICU staff. The Medical Director will be responsible for overseeing the clinical operations, quality improvement initiatives, and overall strategy for the NICU, while ensuring that best practices are adhered to in the care of neonates.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Leadership:

  1. Provide clinical leadership for the NICU, including direct involvement in patient care on an active basis.
  2. Supervise and mentor associate neonatologists, neonatal nurse practitioners, neonatal hospitalists, residents, and other NICU staff to ensure the highest quality of care.
  3. Ensure the implementation of evidence-based practices and guidelines for neonatology.
  4. Oversee the development and execution of individualized care plans for patients in the NICU.

Operational and Strategic Oversight:

  1. Lead the development and implementation of departmental goals, strategies, and initiatives in alignment and close collaboration and alignment with the health system’s values, mission, and objectives.
  2. Manage daily operations of the NICU, ensuring efficient, cost-effective, and high-quality care delivery.
  3. Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, including nursing, respiratory therapy, social services, and other specialists, to ensure holistic multidisciplinary care patient care.
  4. Participate in staffing decisions, including recruitment, hiring, and performance evaluations for NICU clinicians and support staff.
  5. Develop and oversee NICU clinical and operational summary budget, review profit and loss statements, develop a fair, equitable and transparent practice assignment, call, compensation, and incentive structure.
  6. Work closely, collaboratively, and professionally with hospital and medical staff leadership to plan, budget and execute an effective NICU strategy and operations.

Quality Improvement and Patient Safety:

  1. Lead quality improvement initiatives to enhance patient outcomes, safety, and satisfaction in the NICU.
  2. Monitor and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) and patient care metrics to identify areas for improvement as identified in Vermont Oxford Network database, Extracorporeal Life Support Organization for ECMO, and other relevant Pediatric and NICU benchmarking organizations.
  3. Develop and maintain protocols and best practice guidelines for the NICU, ensuring they are up to date with the latest research and standards.
  4. Facilitate root cause analyses and corrective actions in response to adverse events or patient safety concerns.

Medical Education and Training:

  1. Provide educational support and training for NICU staff, medical students, residents, and fellows, ensuring continuous learning and professional development.
  2. Lead and promote research initiatives within the NICU to advance neonatology care and practice.
  3. Deliver lectures, presentations, and seminars related to neonatology to hospital staff, medical students, resident physicians, other professionals, and external audiences.
  4. Obtain clinical appointments at the Oklahoma State University School of Osteopathic Medicine and the Oklahoma University-Tulsa University School of Community Medicine as adjunct faculty.


Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Communication:

  1. Act as the primary liaison between the NICU and other departments, including Pediatrics, Obstetrics, and Family Medicine, to ensure integrated care for neonates.
  2. Maintain effective communication with patients’ families, providing support and information on complex medical decisions and the NICU care process.
  3. Work closely and collaboratively with hospital leadership to drive performance improvements, resource allocation, and policy development.

Compliance and Regulatory Oversight:

  1. Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and institutional regulations, including accreditation standards (e.g., JCAHO, AAP Oklahoma HealthCare Authority).
  2. Oversee the maintenance of the NICU’s accreditation and participate in regulatory surveys and audits.

Marketing and Outreach:

  1. Formulate a marketing and outreach strategy for area, regional and statewide hospitals including lower level NICUs with transfer agreements and other collaborative agreements.
  2. Ensure that other Saint Francis Health System affiliated facilities (Saint Francis South, Saint Francis Muskogee, Stillwater Medical Center) operate to similar standards to those in the main NICU.

Qualifications:

  1. MD or DO degree with Board Certification in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, optional in General Pediatrics
  2. Adequate experience in a NICU setting, including significant clinical and leadership experience.
  3. Proven experience in a leadership or medical director role, with a track record of improving clinical care and team performance.
  4. Advanced knowledge of neonatology, neonatal care protocols, and quality improvement methodologies.
  5. Experience mentoring, developing, and supervising medical staff in a multidisciplinary healthcare environment.

Skills and Competencies:

  1. Strong leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills commensurate with title.
  2. Ability to foster a collaborative and supportive environment for staff, patients, and families.
  3. Demonstrated ability to manage complex clinical, operational, and practice finance issues.
  4. Expertise in quality improvement, patient safety, and healthcare accreditation processes.
  5. A commitment to continuous education and professional development for yourself and your team.
  6. Capacity to manage stressful and high-pressure situations.
  7. Ability to work in a fast-paced hospital environment on a large clinical campus with multi-site responsibilities.

Additional Preferred Qualifications:

  1. Master’s in Healthcare Administration (MHA), Business Administration (MBA), or a related field.
  2. Experience with neonatology research and academic involvement.


























Auburn Weber Image
Director, Provider Recruitment
Not Specified
Tulsa, OK 74136