Division Chief of Pediatric Hospital Medicine (F38460) - School of Medicine - Pediatrics

Unit: School of Medicine

Department: Pediatrics

Mission or Goal of Unit: The Division of Hospital Medicine works in partnership with other pediatric medical and surgical specialists to provide direct pediatric patient care for children with acute or chronic diseases and those with special health care needs. Pediatric Hospital Medicine plays an integral role in the Department of Pediatrics' educational programs (medical students, residents, fellows and ancillary staff).  The division engages in quality and safety initiatives via independent study and hospital committee work. The division is essential to furthering the strategic mission and goals of CHoR and VCU Health (VCUH).

Chief Purpose of this position: The Children’s Hospital of Richmond (CHoR) at Virginia Commonwealth University is currently seeking an academic faculty member to serve as the Chief of the Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine (PHM). The Department of Pediatrics proposes the continuation of the PHM directorship with a focus on the provision of the highest quality patient care, service excellence, faculty development, enhanced clinical education to medical students, residents, PHM fellows and ancillary staff. The Division Chief PHM is appointed by and reports directly to the Chair of Pediatrics, works closely with our other Division Chiefs and Vice Chairs in the Department of Pediatrics and CHoR. The Division Chief is the clinical, operational and academic leader of the division’s faculty and staff that provide inpatient care for hospitalized children across the health system. With the recent addition of our new CHoR Tower (48 private rooms for acute care), acute care patient volumes (PHM and medical surgical) have risen by upwards of 50% in the past years, there has been/is planned for an expansion of service lines (sedation services on acute care units, coverage of specialty patients, co-management with surgical teams) with further planned expansion of acute care beds to 72 in 2026 (requiring more faculty and advanced practice providers (APP). The division is a mix of senior (2), mid-career (4) and junior faculty (3). The PHM chief is responsible in fostering a collegial culture amongst the PHM faculty and sponsoring their mentorship and career development.

Position Responsibilities:

• Teaching: Will provide teaching and mentorship to medical students, residents and PHM fellows (didactic and bedside) when applicable. PHM fellowship program has 2 fellows total (1 per year of 2-year program) and is thriving since inception in 2015. The physician will provide education to ancillary staff as needed. In addition, the PHM division chief oversees the scholarly activity of the PHM faculty that includes provision of education and mentorship to trainees.
• Service: Will serve on hospital or departmental (CHoR or VCUH) committees when appropriate, and engage in professional activities through journal review, conference presentations and national organization committee work. The PHM division chief leads collaborative efforts within CHoR and the VCU Health (VCUH) system to ensure that the highest quality patient care if provided in a professional, culturally competent manner, partnering with leadership to ensure this extends throughout the health systems with mindfulness toward resource allocation and healthcare expenditures.
• Clinical: Will provide clinical service as a Pediatric Hospitalist for the Department of Pediatrics of CHoR based at CHoR. Will work the requisite number of in hospital days, evenings, weekends and provide off site/home call as necessary to maintain clinical coverage of the acute care pediatric units.
• Administrative: Will take on administrative duties associated with the role including: attendance and participation at PHM staff meetings, attendance and participation PHM fellowship conferences, participation in PHM fellowship interview process, attendance at Department Faculty Meetings, attendance at VCU School of Medicine Faculty Meetings and attendance at Medical College of Virginia Physician Meetings. The PHM Division Chief will take on further administrative duties associated with the role including: attendance and participation at Pediatric Division Chiefs meetings (2 per month), coordination of resources with Pediatric Nursing, Pediatric Medical and Surgical Specialists and ancillary staff, collaboration with the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) CHoR and associate CMOs CHoR to align clinical services of CHoR at VCU, collaboration with Vice Chair of Education, Residency Program Director(s) and Medical School Pediatric Clerkship Directors at CHoR to align academic missions with ACUGME and ACGME learners within CHoR at VCU, and Foster collaboration with and outreach to Pediatric Providers in the Metro Richmond Region and Commonwealth of Virginia, ensuring seamless transitions of inpatient to outpatient care.

Required Qualifications: 

• Board certification in Pediatric Hospital Medicine
• All candidates must be eligible for medical licensure in Virginia
• Drug Enforcement Agency certification
• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism, and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU
• Seven or more years of clinical experience in pediatric hospital medicine
• Several years of leadership experience or program development in pediatric hospital medicine
• Qualifications to rank as Associate Professor or Professor in Pediatrics - national or international recognition 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Completion of Pediatric Fellowship training is preferred but not required
• Certification in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
• Prior quality improvement initiative development
• Completion of a medical leadership curriculum program

Benefits: All full-time university staff and faculty are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

Salary Range: Commensurate

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

Restricted Position: No

ORP Eligible: Yes

Rank: Open

Tenure: Open

Months: 12 months

Contact Information:
Contact Name: Erin Flexon
Contact Email: erin.flexon@vcuhealth.org