Associate Consultant - Anaesthesiology (Cardiac ICU)

Job Summary

The Associate Consultant – Cardiac ICU is responsible for delivering specialized, high-quality critical care management to patients in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) and Post-Operative Cardiothoracic ICU (CTVS ICU). This position serves as a key clinical link between senior consultants, resident doctors, and nursing teams, ensuring round-the-clock stability, rapid emergency response, and evidence-based post-cardiac surgical and medical management.

Key Responsibilities

1. Clinical Care & Patient Management

• Manage post-operative cardiothoracic surgical cases (CABG, Valve Replacements, Aortic Surgeries, Congenital Heart Defects) and acute cardiac emergencies (Acute Coronary Syndrome, Cardiogenic Shock, Severe Heart Failure, Arrhythmias).

• Conduct daily multidisciplinary clinical rounds, assess patient progress, and formulate individual care plans under the guidance of Senior Consultants.

• Manage invasive hemodynamic monitoring (Arterial lines, Central Venous Lines, Swan-Ganz Catheters).

• Oversee mechanical circulatory support devices (IABP, ECMO, VADs) and advanced ventilation strategies (invasive/non-invasive).

• Perform bedside diagnostic procedures including Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS), bedside Echocardiography (TTE/TEE screening), and arterial blood gas (ABG) interpretations.

• Execute emergency bedside procedures: endotracheal intubations, chest tube insertions, pericardiocentesis, and line placements.

2. Emergency Response & Resuscitation

• Lead Code Blue and Rapid Response teams for cardiac emergencies across the ICU and high-dependency units.

• Manage acute post-surgical complications such as graft dysfunction, acute bleeding, cardiac tamponade, or sudden hemodynamic instability.

3. Operational & Team Leadership

• Supervise resident medical officers (RMOs), fellows, DNB candidates, and critical care nursing staff.

• Coordinate seamlessly with Cardiac Surgeons, Interventional Cardiologists, Cardiac Anesthetists, and allied medical specialties.

• Ensure strict adherence to infection control protocols, ventilator bundles, and antibiotic stewardship programs in the ICU.

• Maintain complete and accurate electronic medical records (EMR), clinical documentation, and discharge summaries.

4. Patient Communication & Governance

• Counsel families regarding critical patient status, prognosis, risk factors, and treatment roadmaps with empathy and clarity.

• Ensure full compliance with hospital policies, NABH/JCI standards, and medico-legal guidelines.

• Participate in departmental clinical audits, mortality/morbidity reviews, and quality improvement drives.

Required Qualifications & Eligibility

• Educational Background:

  • MBBS from an NMC-recognized institution.

  • MD / DNB in Anesthesiology, General Medicine, Pulmonary Medicine, or Emergency Medicine.

  • Super-Specialization / Fellowship: DM / DrNB / FNB in Critical Care Medicine, or Fellowship in Cardiac Critical Care / CTVS Anesthesia / IDCCM / IFCCM.

• Registration: Valid registration with the National Medical Commission (NMC) or State Medical Council.

• Certifications: Valid ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) and BLS certifications.

Work Experience

• 0 to 3 years of post-PG / post-fellowship experience in a dedicated Cardiac ICU or tertiary-care CTVS ICU setup.

• Hands-on experience with post-cardiac surgery recovery protocols, IABP management, and mechanical ventilation is essential.

Key Competencies & Clinical Skills

• Technical Skills: Advanced hemodynamic monitoring, mechanical ventilator management, IABP setup/troubleshooting, ECMO management, POCUS/Echo interpretation.

• Clinical Judgment: High-level decision-making under high-pressure, acute critical scenarios.

• Soft Skills: Clear communication, crisis management, leadership, empathetic family counseling, and interdepartmental collaboration.