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 • 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. • 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. • 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. • 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.