Pediatric Critical Care Physician Opportunity at Sanford Health - Fargo, ND

Role Overview

Sanford Health is seeking a board-certified or board-eligible Pediatric Critical Care Intensivist to join our expanding team at Sanford Children's Hospital in Fargo, North Dakota. This is an exceptional opportunity to practice at a Level II Pediatric Trauma Center, working alongside a collaborative team of 6 physicians and over 65 board-certified pediatricians and subspecialists. You will play a vital role in providing life-saving care to critically ill children from a wide catchment area spanning North Dakota, Minnesota, and parts of South Dakota and Montana.

A Day in the Life

As a Pediatric Critical Care Physician at Sanford Health, your day will be dynamic and rewarding. You will be responsible for: * Performing history and physical examinations on pediatric patients in the PICU. * Admitting, evaluating, diagnosing, and providing treatment for critically ill children. * Managing life-threatening organ system failure using advanced critical care techniques. * Supporting vital physiological functions through ventilator management, hemodynamic monitoring, and other interventions. * Collaborating with a multidisciplinary team of nurses, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, and other specialists to optimize patient care. * Participating in daily rounds and patient care conferences. * Communicating with patients' families to provide updates and emotional support. * Participating in quality improvement initiatives and clinical research. * Teaching and mentoring medical students, residents, and other healthcare professionals. * Providing consultation services to other healthcare providers. Your schedule will involve rotated service weeks (typically one week per month) and additional night-time calls, ensuring a balanced workload and ample time for personal pursuits.

Why Fargo, North Dakota?

Fargo offers a unique blend of small-town charm and big-city amenities. It's a thriving city with a diverse, family-oriented community and a low cost of living. Fargo boasts: * **Excellent Schools:** A variety of top-rated public and private schools, as well as several universities and colleges. * **Vibrant Downtown:** A bustling downtown area with restaurants, shops, entertainment venues, and cultural attractions. * **Outdoor Recreation:** Abundant opportunities for outdoor activities, including parks, lakes, and trails. * **Safe Environment:** A low crime rate and a welcoming community. * **Affordable Housing:** A wide range of housing options at affordable prices. Fargo is also strategically located, with easy access to major cities like Minneapolis and Winnipeg.

Career Path

Sanford Health is committed to providing its physicians with opportunities for professional growth and advancement. As a Pediatric Critical Care Physician, you can: * **Advance to leadership roles:** Opportunities to serve as Medical Director, Department Chair, or in other administrative positions. * **Pursue research interests:** Support for clinical and translational research. * **Develop teaching skills:** Opportunities to teach medical students and residents through a joint appointment with the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences. * **Specialize in a specific area of Pediatric Critical Care:** Opportunities to focus on areas such as cardiac critical care, neurocritical care, or trauma critical care. Sanford Health also offers a comprehensive mentorship program to support your career development.

Salary & Benefits

Sanford Health offers a highly competitive salary and benefits package, including: * **Competitive Salary:** Commensurate with experience and qualifications (estimated range: $300,000 - $500,000 annually). * **Comprehensive Health Insurance:** Medical, dental, and vision coverage. * **Paid Time Off:** Generous vacation, sick leave, and holiday time. * **CME Allowance:** Funds and paid time off for continuing medical education. * **Retirement Plan:** 401(k) with employer matching. * **Disability and Life Insurance:** Coverage to protect you and your family. * **Malpractice Insurance:** With tail coverage. * **Relocation Assistance:** To help with the cost of moving to Fargo. * **Sign-on Bonus:** Negotiable.

Sanford Culture

Sanford Health is committed to creating a supportive and collaborative work environment. We value: * **Teamwork:** Working together to provide the best possible patient care. * **Respect:** Treating each other with dignity and respect. * **Innovation:** Embracing new ideas and technologies. * **Excellence:** Striving for the highest standards of quality and safety. * **Compassion:** Providing compassionate care to our patients and their families. We are proud to be one of the largest and fastest-growing not-for-profit health systems in the United States, and we are committed to the work of health and healing across our broad footprint.

How to Apply

If you are a passionate and dedicated Pediatric Critical Care Physician looking for a rewarding career opportunity, we encourage you to apply. Please submit your CV and cover letter through the Sanford Health careers website. [Link to application] ## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) **1. What is the call schedule like?** The call schedule involves rotated service weeks (typically one week per month) and additional night-time calls. The specific frequency of night-time calls may vary. **2. What is the patient volume in the PICU?** The Sanford Medical Center PICU has 12 beds with additional flex beds available as needed. The unit admits approximately 500 patients per year. **3. What types of cases are commonly seen in the PICU?** The PICU treats a wide range of critically ill children, including those with respiratory failure, sepsis, trauma, cardiac conditions, neurological disorders, and oncological emergencies. **4. What is the relationship with the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences?** The position includes a joint appointment as clinical faculty with the Department of Pediatrics at the UND School of Medicine and Health Science, providing opportunities to teach medical students, family medicine residents, and pediatric residents. **5. What is the scope of the AirMed transport service?** The AirMed transport service covers a three-state area (North Dakota, Minnesota, and South Dakota) and provides helicopter and fixed-wing transport for over 400 pediatric and neonatal patients annually. **6. Is there research support available?** Sanford Health provides support for clinical and translational research. **7. What opportunities are there for professional development?** Sanford Health offers a variety of professional development opportunities, including CME courses, conferences, and mentorship programs. **8. What is the hospital's involvement in national quality initiatives?** Sanford's Children's Hospital is a supporting member of NACHRI (National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions). The PICU participates in the VPS (Vermont Oxford Network) database for quality improvement. **9. What is the surrounding community like?** Fargo is a thriving city with a small-town feel, offering a diverse, family-oriented community and a low cost of living. **10. What are the qualifications for this position?** Candidates must have an M.D. or D.O. degree, be board-certified or board-eligible in Pediatric Critical Care, and be eligible for medical licensure in North Dakota.