Vice-President - Perioperative Services and Executive Director of the Center for Perioperative Medicine

About UT Medical

The University of Tennessee Medical Center is East Tennessee's only academic medical center, a Magnet-recognized hospital, and the region's Level I Trauma Center. Through its partnership with the University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine, UT Medical combines exceptional patient care, innovative research, and the education of future healthcare professionals.

The Center for Perioperative Medicine is one of the organization's most strategically important service lines, bringing together surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and multidisciplinary teams to deliver coordinated, patient-centered care across the surgical continuum. With 36 operating rooms, a growing surgical enterprise, and nationally recognized specialty programs, UT Medical continues to invest in innovation, quality, and exceptional patient outcomes.

Joining UT Medical means becoming part of an organization committed to advancing surgical care while improving the health of the communities we serve.

Why This Role Matters

This is more than an operational leadership position-it's an opportunity to shape the future of perioperative care across an academic health system.

As Vice President of Perioperative Services and Executive Director of the Center for Perioperative Medicine, you will partner closely with physician leadership to guide one of UT Medical's largest and most visible clinical service lines. Together, you'll drive operational excellence, strengthen quality and patient safety, advance strategic growth, and ensure exceptional experiences for patients, physicians, and care teams.

This role is ideal for a collaborative executive who thrives in complex healthcare environments, enjoys building high-performing teams, and leads through influence, accountability, and innovation.

The Vice President of Perioperative Services will report to the system's Chief Operating Officer and is responsible for the effective and efficient operations of Perioperative Services throughout the healthcare system. They will provide leadership, direction, and administration of operations to ensure compliance with established objectives and the realization of high quality, safe, and efficient health care services. The Perioperative Services division of UT Medical includes all departments of the hospital related to surgical services, such as the Main Operating Rooms (36 ORs), UT Day Surgery (6 ORs), Pre-Anesthesia Testing, PreOp, PACU, and Sterile Processing, along with the Endoscopy Center (7 procedure rooms).

This person will also function as The Executive Director for the Center for Perioperative Medicine (Center) and in this capacity will be part of a dyad structure with the Physician Vice President for the Center for Perioperative Medicine (MD-VP). The individual in this role will oversee the day-to-day operations of the Center and implement the strategic plan. The Executive Director must be able to execute on strategy and ensure the organization operates at maximum efficiency while providing high quality care. In addition, this individual will be involved in a variety of projects as requested, primarily focused on Quality, Performance Improvement, and strategic growth.

Key Duties and Responsibilities - At a glance

Strategic Leadership

• Lead enterprise-wide perioperative operations.
• Develop long-range strategic plans.
• Partner with executive and physician leadership.
• Drive organizational growth.

Operational Excellence

• Lead budgeting and financial stewardship.
• Optimize productivity and operational efficiency.
• Oversee capital planning.
• Improve throughput and access.

Quality & Patient Safety

• Lead quality improvement initiatives.
• Ensure regulatory compliance.
• Establish operational policies.
• Drive performance improvement.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead directors, managers, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Foster an engaged, high-performing culture.
• Recruit and develop leadership talent.
• Build physician relationships.

Key Duties and Responsibilities - In more detail

• Promotes and reinforces the vision, mission, quality, and core values of the organization.

• Leads the coordination of system services and resources to enhance effectiveness and efficiency.

• Ensures the ongoing success of organization's management operating system (called "Everyday Excellence") throughout perioperative services

• Provides leadership to directors, managers, and team members to promote the efficient growth of operations and the development of the health system.

• Oversees the selection, employment, development, management, and discharge of employees and the establishment of personnel policies and practices within the scope of broader UT Medical's policies and practices.

• Leads the formation and execution of the Perioperative Services division annual budget that meets the organization's operational and strategic objectives.

• Maintains performance, patient, and team member satisfaction as established by the UT Medical's strategic plan and executive team leadership.

• Provides oversight of team member accountability, contracts, and compensation practices.

• Monitors productivity and efficiency of staff and implements changes where needed.

• Manages the capital equipment pool and/or process for the division; utilizes the physical resources of the institution to its fullest potential while insuring proper stewardship of the organization's resources.

• Cooperates with medical staff and other hospital personnel to ensure that the highest quality of service is being rendered to patients.

• Develops and oversees quality improvement functions of the Center.

• Oversees compliance with regulations governing the Center and the rules of accrediting bodies by monitoring operations and initiating changes where required.

• Fosters a smooth functioning, efficient operation through timely and effective resolution of problems and concerns.

• Participates in the development of the Center's strategic plan and short and long-term objectives which will ensure the continued growth of the facility and provision of necessary services to the community; execute plans and programs as approved by the system.

• Develops, establishes, and maintains operational policies and procedures in order to assure quality, safety, environmental and infection control standards with clinical operating units.

• Directs development and implementation of operational procedures and controls to promote communication and adequate information flow and support of the overall management control systems.

• Helps provide focus and prioritization for goals and guide decision making through the effective use of data.

• Establishes a leadership style that is visible, approachable, and team-oriented.

• Develops effective partnership with the management team and identifies opportunities for efficiencies in operational and areas, ensuring tight controls of expenses and that all revenues are maximized.

• Performs other related administrative managerial duties as directed/required.

• Represents the Center at national, state, and local meetings and conferences, conventions as required. Maintains responsibility for professional affiliations and professional growth and development to keep up with latest trends in hospital administration.

• Adheres to all UT Medical policies and procedures.
  

What You'll Bring

Education, Licensure and Certification

• MHA/MBA/MS/MSN in health care administration, nursing administration, or business administration, or equivalent educational experience.

Experience

• A successful track record of developing effective working relationships with medical staff, hospital leadership, team members, and vendor partners.

• Leadership experience at the Director level or above in a comparable size health care facility.

• Experience in management of Operating Suites in an outpatient or inpatient setting.

• A demonstrated effectiveness in leading quality initiatives.

• Knowledge and facility with electronic health records (EHR) and CPOE.

• Academic Medical Center and Level One Trauma experience desired.

Leadership Profile

• Exhibits a team player mentality - someone who strongly endorses UT Medical's mission, vision and values.

• Ability to quickly build relationships and trust.

• Provides strategic thinking and well-reasoned decisions which drive greater health care value; must possess high emotional intelligence.

• Demonstrates strong planning skills and the ability to accurately scope out length and difficulty of tasks and projects, set objectives and goals. Exhibits a keen sense of priority and focus; spends time on what is important with the ability to quickly zero-in on key issues.

• Presents relevant information to physicians; an individual who can help elected medical staff leadership in a meaningful way in addressing matters of importance to them.

• Supplies accurate and timely decisions; presents good follow-through and organizational skills.

• Understands the needs and challenges of physicians and physician practice patterns.

• Communicates effectively and confidently with diverse audiences, delivering clear, concise, and impactful messages.

• Displays ability to persuade, influence and inspire.

• Shows personal and professional integrity of the highest degree.

• Displays self-confidence with a collaborative approach and is not afraid of criticism or challenge; can effectively manage change.

• Demonstrates knowledge of current and future healthcare trends, technology and information affecting the System.

• Presents a track-record of relating well to all kinds of people; builds rapport and effective relationships; uses diplomacy and tact; and can diffuse even high-tension situations comfortably.

• Exhibits leadership experience with a background in negotiating skillfully in tough situations and the ability to settle differences with minimum conflict; can be direct and forceful as well as diplomatic; presents a good sense of timing.

• Demonstrates approachable, transparent, and physician-friendly demeanor.

• Supports honest, hardworking, and compassionate behaviors.