Job Summary and Responsibilities
Virginia Mason Franciscan Health (VMFH) is fulfilling our vision of transforming healthcare by expanding our Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) team.
We have an opportunity for a 1.0 FTE physician in Seattle, Washington at our Virginia Mason Medical Center (VMMC) hospital location.
We are seeking a dynamic, highly skilled and visionary Director to lead and develop this new cardiovascular critical care service line. The ideal candidate will be a physician board certified in either cardiac anesthesiology, cardiovascular disease, cardiothoracic surgery, or critical care with advanced cardiovascular care expertise. The director will closely collaborate with Advanced Heart Failure, Structural Heart, Electrophysiology, Vascular Surgery and Cardiothoracic Surgery teams. The leadership position will be a combination of administrative duties and clinical care.
The Director will oversee clinical operations, program development and quality initiatives. You will join talented colleagues in a culture that values clinical excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement; partnering with Cardiac Advanced Practice Providers (APPs), along with Heart Failure cardiologists, physician leadership, and multidisciplinary clinical teams in a collaborative care model. This leadership position offers dedicated administrative time and opportunities to shape and grow a high-impact program that will serve as a regional and national model for excellence in cardiovascular intensive care.
Key Responsibilities:
Lead the successful launch and growth of the new CVICU at VMMC.
Manage and care for approximately 90 annual cardiogenic shock cases.
Provide expertise in mechanical circulatory support including IABP, Impella CP, RP Flex, Impella 5.5 (approximately 70-80 cases annually).
Lead support efforts for a robust VA/VV ECMO program with about 40-50 cases annually.
Participate in the Mechanical Cardiac Support program expansion, including ECMO and build up Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) programs.
Assist with intensive care management for approximately 400 open heart surgeries annually, including complex cases such as aortic arch surgery, valve replacements, pulmonary thromboendarterectomy, and septal myectomy.
When needed, assist with over 450 structural heart procedures annually (most recent volumes), including MitraClip, Tricuspid clip, TAVR, transcatheter valve replacements, Watchman device placement, and high-risk PCI with Impella/ECMO support
Collaborate on advanced electrophysiology procedures such as convergent ablations with experienced procedural teams.
Engage in educational activities with internal medicine, anesthesiology, and surgery residents and cardiology fellows.
Participate in leadership opportunities, committees, and clinical trials within the critical care and structural heart programs.
Work with the CVICU multidisciplinary team including APPs, physicians, and support staff.
Drive quality improvement, operational efficiency, and clinical research initiatives.
Participate in education and mentorship of Medicine, Surgery and Anesthesiology residents and Cardiology fellows.
Represent CVICU in organizational leadership and strategic committees.
Job Requirements
Board Certified/Board Eligible in one of the following
Cardiac Anesthesiology
Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiothoracic Surgery
Critical Care Medicine
Demonstrated leadership experience and program development expertise.
Critical care certification preferred but not required
Advanced complex cardiovascular care experience
Ability to obtain medical licensure in Washington State.
DEA license with full prescriptive authority.
An ideal candidate would have strong skills in transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography
Cardiac Anesthesiologist, Cardiologist, or Cardiothoracic Surgeon
Team Details
At Virginia Mason Medical Center our goal is to empower people to live healthy lives. That's why we focus on health education and preventive medicine, in addition to comprehensive and compassionate medical care. Laboratory testing, diagnostic screenings, occupational medicine, and much more are all available. Our caring team members enjoy building relationships with our patients.
About Virginia Mason Medical Center
Virginia Mason Medical Center (VMMC) is a leading tertiary and quaternary referral center specializing in complex and innovative cardiovascular care. As part of CommonSpirit Health, one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit health systems, we are nationally recognized for quality and patient safety, and provide advanced care that values collaboration and excellence. We are excited to launch a new Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) at our downtown Seattle campus, dedicated to meeting the needs of a rapidly growing population of patients with complex cardiovascular disease.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at VMFH
We commit to fostering an equitable, diverse and intentionally inclusive environment - we strive for all to feel valued, respected and that they belong. Our unique life experiences and backgrounds make our patient care extraordinary. Our diversity fuels our culture of innovation and transformative health care. Our differences are our strengths and inspire a promising future. Living in the Pacific Northwest Located in the Pacific NW, Seattle is an area with a mild climate year round and close to the great outdoors where we enjoy an abundance of activities with our close proximity to the waters of Puget Sound and surroundingmountains. City life and cultural activities are also thriving. With a variety of neighborhoods and areas to work and live, there are many choices for the type of lifestyle you'd like to enjoy.
Where You'll Work
Why Join Virginia Mason Medical Center?
Clinical Excellence and Accomplishments
Ranked the #1 hospital in Washington State and the Seattle Metro Area by U.S. News & World Report for 2025
CMS Hospital Compare Five-Star Rating: Achieved the highest possible five-star designation every year since 2020, reflecting sustained excellence in quality, safety, patient outcomes and patient experience.
One of only 11 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade All-Time Straight A’s Medical Centers in the United States, through Spring 2025
Recognized as high-performing in Gastroenterology & GI Surgery, Geriatrics, and Pulmonary/Lung Surgery, along with 21 additional procedures and conditions: More than any other hospital in our region.
American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines: Stroke Gold Plus and Heart Failure Gold Plus awards for continued excellence in cardiovascular care.
Society of Thoracic Surgeons: Three-star rating (the highest possible) for outcomes in aortic valve replacement with coronary artery bypass grafting (AVR+CABG) – placing us among the top programs in the U.S. and Canada.
Consistent top rankings: #1 in Washington by Newsweek’s Best-In-State Hospitals list (two years in a row).
Ambulatory excellence: Bellevue and Lynnwood clinics named among the 2025 Best Ambulatory Surgery Centers in the U.S.
Specialty recognition: #1 in Washington for Cardiology by Newsweek, and VMMC’s Center for Digestive Health named one of America’s Best Weight Loss Clinics & Centers.
Milestone achievements: VMMC recently celebrated its 1,000th transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and its 100th extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) patient – underscoring the strength and growth of our cardiovascular program.
Virginia Mason Franciscan Health brings together two award-winning health systems in Washington state CHI Franciscan and Virginia Mason. As one integrated health system with the most patient access points in western Washington, our team includes 18,000 staff and nearly 5,000 employed physicians and affiliated providers. At Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, you will find the safest and highest quality of care provided by our expert, compassionate medical care team at 11 hospitals and nearly 300 sites throughout the greater Puget Sound region. While you’re busy impacting the healthcare industry, we’ll take care of you with benefits that include health/dental/vision, FSA, matching retirement plans, paid vacation, adoption assistance, annual bonus eligibility, and more!
Living and Working in the Northwest
Living in the Puget Sound region, you’ll enjoy one of the most vibrant areas in the U.S.. The area offers a hub for culture, technology and innovation, set against a backdrop of unparalleled natural beauty.
Outdoor access: Hiking, skiing, boating, and year-round outdoor activities with easy access to both mountains and water.
Lifestyle options: From downtown neighborhoods, to quieter suburbs and island communities, the Puget Sound offers diverse living environments to suit every preference.
Academic and cultural richness: A thriving arts scene, respected universities, research institutions and a strong spirit of innovation.
Work-life balance: The ability to pursue a rewarding medical career in a nationally recognized center, while enjoying the quality of life that comes with the Pacific Northwest.
Pay Range
$/Hour