Summary

The Division Chief of Obstetric Anesthesiology provides clinical and operational leadership for all anesthesia services supporting labor and delivery, maternal-fetal medicine, obstetric surgery, and postpartum care at CHRISTUS Children's Hospital. The Division Chief partners with hospital leadership, surgical service line leaders, nursing leadership, and medical staff to ensure the delivery of safe, efficient, family-centered, and evidence-based pediatric perioperative care.

Reporting Relationships

Reports to: Chair of Anesthesiology, BCM/CHRISTUS Children's Hospital

Job Duties

Clinical Leadership

• Ensure safe, timely, and efficient delivery of anesthesia services for obstetric patients, including labor and delivery, cesarean sections, maternal-fetal medicine cases, and obstetric emergencies.
• Ensure 24/7 anesthesia coverage and rapid response capability.
• Develop and standardize clinical protocols, care pathways, and evidence-based practices.
• Lead perioperative initiatives focused on patient safety, quality outcomes, and family experience.

Operational Management

• Coordinate physician/APP staffing, scheduling, and clinical coverage to ensure uninterrupted anesthesia services.
• Collaborate with perioperative leaders to optimize operating room efficiency, block utilization, and procedural throughput.
• Participate in workforce planning and recruitment as pediatric volumes grow.
• Assist in evaluating provider performance and recommend corrective action when standards are not met.

Quality and Patient Safety

• Participate in obstetric anesthesia quality assessment and performance improvement initiatives.
• Participate in morbidity and mortality review processes as appropriate.
• Participate in Joint Commission, CMS, and accreditation readiness activities.
• Program Development and Strategic Growth
• Partner with hospital executives to expand pediatric surgical and procedural services.
• Support growth of high-risk obstetric and maternal-fetal medicine programs.
• Evaluate new technologies, equipment, and care delivery models.
• Develop business plans and staffing models supporting long-term service growth.
• Build collaborative relationships with pediatric surgeons, intensivists, neonatologists, emergency physicians, and hospital leadership.

Education and Academic Mission

• Support physician, nursing, and APP education initiatives.
• Participate in resident and medical student education when applicable.
• Foster continuing professional development and evidence-based practice.

Minimum Qualifications

Required

• MD or DO degree.
• Board Certified in Anesthesiology.
• Fellowship training in Obstetric Anesthesiology or equivalent advanced experience in a high-volume labor and delivery program.
• Unrestricted Texas medical licensure.

Preferred

• Experience leading anesthesia services within a tertiary care women's hospital, regional perinatal center, or high-risk obstetric program.
• Demonstrated success in quality improvement and program development.