Consultant Intensive Care

Overview

The Consultant Intensive Care is accountable for delivering exceptional inpatient and outpatient medical care, including treatments for patients within the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The role mandates adherence to evidence-based medical practices, professional medical ethics, Joint Commission International Accreditation standards, hospital regulations, and national healthcare laws specific to Saudi Arabia.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure high-quality, compassionate medical care for all patients, demonstrating both direct and indirect leadership in patient treatment.
• Provide clinical services within authorized privileges for both inpatients and outpatients.
• Adhere to validated clinical guidelines and standards.
• Conduct regular multidisciplinary ward rounds to develop comprehensive treatment plans.
• Carry out diagnostic and therapeutic interventions pertinent to critical care.
• Evaluate and refer patients appropriately, while accepting specialist referrals within the clinical domain.
• Participate actively in departmental on-call rotations for patient admissions and emergency management.
• Respond promptly to emergencies, offering expert advice and assistance within the specialty area.
• Uphold patient confidentiality, privacy, and rights rigorously.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of medical records.
• Lead the department in quality improvement initiatives and supervise junior medical staff.
• Engage proactively in continuous medical education via hospital and external academic activities and conferences.
• Contribute to teaching and training activities within the hospital, enhancing junior staff and nursing competencies.
• Stay updated with the latest advancements in medical knowledge and clinical skills.
• Participate in hospital committees such as Quality Improvement and Infection Control.
• Comply strictly with all hospital policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Educate patients and families effectively, respecting their involvement and cultural preferences, and document education efforts accordingly.

Subspecialty-Specific Duties

• Provide emergency consultations and accept referrals related to intensive care subspecialty.
• Manage ICU operations including bed allocation, patient triage, discharge planning, and policy supervision.
• Contribute to quality assurance and infection control activities within the ICU, including committee participation.
• Collaborate with other departments for optimal patient management and unit efficiency.
• Oversee appropriate resource utilization and make recommendations regarding equipment and unit infrastructure.
• Report ICU activity, morbidity, and mortality trends to medical leadership.
• Lead regular ICU rounds with the multidisciplinary team, assessing patients as per acuity requirements at minimum twice daily.
• Perform critical care procedures including airway management, mechanical ventilation, vascular catheterization, resuscitation, pacing wire placement, and chest tube insertion.
• Serve as team leader during ICU care coordination integrating complex patient needs.
• Maintain academic involvement through medical literature reviews, meetings, seminars, and training sessions.

Reporting and Collaboration

Reports directly to the Head of Department and works closely with other consultants, nursing staff, respiratory therapists, patients, families, and designated paramedical staff. Supervises senior registrars, registrars, residents, and nursing personnel.

Qualifications & Experience

• Medical degree from an accredited institution and completion of specialty/subspecialty training.
• Certification such as Saudi Board, Arab Board, American Board, Canadian Fellowship, FRCS, or equivalent.
• Minimum five years of post-qualification professional experience.
• Current valid medical license and registration with the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties.
• Additional sub-specialty experience and academic affiliations are preferred.

Competencies & Skills

• Proven leadership and administrative capabilities.
• Proficient in English communication, both written and spoken; Arabic language skills are advantageous.
• Strong professionalism with excellent interpersonal and communication skills.