Pediatric Intensivist

Shriners Children’s is seeking a full-time Pediatric Intensivist to join our team at Shriners Children’s Texas in Galveston. In this role, the intensivist will provide comprehensive care to critically ill pediatric patients in a 15-bed PICU, with a primary focus on high-acuity burn cases. The unit also manages a range of complex conditions, including septic shock, cardiogenic shock, respiratory failure, and ARDS, along with select orthopedic cases such as spine and osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). Patients are frequently referred from across the region as well as internationally, including Mexico and Central America, resulting in a medically complex and diverse patient population.

The position follows a 7-on/7-off schedule. During their service week, intensivists provide in-house coverage during the day and take home call overnight. Nighttime care within the unit is supported by a strong in-house team, including Advanced Practice Providers (APPs), UTMB residents, and a burn fellow, all of whom remain in-house overnight, with the fellow serving as an additional layer of clinical support.

The PICU is supported by six APPs who provide 24/7 in-house coverage across days, nights, weekends, and holidays, working in close collaboration with the physician team. Clinical responsibilities include direct patient care as well as procedural support, such as sedation and central line placement. The unit maintains an average daily census of 4–8 patients, allowing for a balance of high-acuity care and manageable patient volumes.

In addition to clinical duties, this role offers meaningful academic opportunities, including teaching medical students, residents, and fellows through daily rounds and didactics, as well as the ability to participate in clinical and translational research initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Diagnose and manage acute and chronic critical illnesses in pediatric patients.
• Provide advanced life support, including mechanical ventilation and vasoactive medications.
• Perform critical procedures such as intubation, central line placement, arterial catheterization, and lumbar punctures.
• Coordinate with pediatric subspecialists, nurses, respiratory therapists, and other healthcare professionals to ensure comprehensive patient care.
• Work closely with surgical teams to stabilize critically ill patients.
• Discuss diagnosis, treatment plans, and prognosis with patients' families in a compassionate and clear manner.
• Provide emotional support and guidance for families dealing with critical illness.
• Educate and mentor medical students, residents, and fellows in pediatric critical care medicine.
• Participate in clinical research, quality improvement projects, and evidence-based practice initiatives.
• Maintain accurate and timely medical documentation.
• Ensure adherence to hospital policies, patient safety protocols, and ethical standards of care.

Required Qualifications

• Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) from an accredited medical school
• Successful completion of an ACGME accredited residency in Pediatrics
• Successful completion of a fellowship in Pediatric Critical Care Medicine
• Board certification or eligibility in Pediatrics and Pediatric Critical Care Medicine
• Must possess eligibility for active and unrestricted medical licensure in the state of practice
• Must possess eligibility for active DEA
• Must possess Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (BLS for HCP) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification
• Credentialing and privileging by the medical staff in accordance with hospital bylaws
• Extensive knowledge of pediatric pathophysiology, pharmacology, and intensive care procedures
• Strong leadership, decision-making, and problem-solving skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills to work effectively with medical teams and families

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience caring for high-acuity pediatric burn or orthopedic patients highly preferred.