Description

Physician Director, Observation Unit

UVA Health – Department of Emergency Medicine

Position Summary:

The Physician Director of the Observation Unit provides medical, operational, and strategic leadership for a 10-bed hospital-based Observation Unit within UVA Health. This role is responsible for the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of high-quality, efficient, and patient-centered observation care. The Physician Director works in close partnership with Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, nursing leadership, APP leadership, case management, and hospital operations to optimize observation workflows, clinical outcomes, and throughput.

The Physician Director will have direct clinical and operational oversight of Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) practicing in the Observation Unit and will serve as the physician lead for observation medicine at UVA Health.

This position is open to physicians board certified in Emergency Medicine and/or Internal Medicine.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical & Medical Direction:

• Serve as the **Medical Director** for the UVA Health Observation Unit.
• Provide clinical oversight to ensure safe, evidence-based, and efficient care delivery for observation patients.
• Establish and maintain clinical standards for observation medicine consistent with UVA Health policies and regulatory requirements.
• Provide direct patient care, including evaluation, diagnosis, and management of acute medical conditions in the observation unit.

APP Leadership & Oversight:

• Provide direct oversight, mentorship, and performance feedback for APPs practicing in the Observation Unit.
• Partner with departmental APP leadership to support onboarding, competency development, and professional growth.
• Promote consistent application of observation protocols and treatment pathways among APP staff.
  

Policy, Protocol, and Pathway Development:

• Lead the development, implementation, and periodic revision of observation-specific clinical policies, protocols, and standardized treatment pathways**.
• Align observation care pathways with Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, Cardiology, Neurology and other inpatient services to ensure appropriate patient selection and disposition.
• Collaborate with Utilization Review and Case Management to ensure compliance with CMS observation criteria.
• Work with the revenue cycle team to insure we are appropriately coding and billing for observation unit visits

Quality, Safety, and Data-Driven Improvement:

• Monitor and analyze observation unit performance metrics, including length of stay, conversion to inpatient admission, return visits, patient outcomes, and patient experience.
• Use data-driven insights to guide clinical decision-making, operational improvements, and resource utilization.
• Lead or participate in quality improvement initiatives related to observation care, throughput, and patient safety.

Collaboration & System Integration:

• Serve as a key liaison between the Observation Unit and Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, Hospital Medicine, Cardiology, Neurology, other inpatient teams, Nursing, Case Management, and Hospital Operations.
• Support UVA Health priorities related to patient flow, capacity management, and care standardization.
• Participate in institutional committees and workgroups relevant to observation medicine and hospital throughput.

Administrative & Strategic Leadership:

• Contribute to the strategic planning and evolution of observation services at UVA Health.
• Assist with development of business cases, staffing models, and future growth plans for observation care.
• Support departmental and health system initiatives aligned with UVA Health’s mission of excellence in patient care, education, and innovation.

Qualifications

Required:

• MD or DO degree.
• Board certification in EM/IM or IM.
• Eligible for medical staff appointment and clinical privileges at UVA Health.
• Demonstrated interest in clinical operations, quality improvement, or observation medicine.

Preferred:

• Prior leadership experience in an observation unit, emergency department, hospital medicine, or similar clinical setting.
• Experience working with and supervising Advanced Practice Providers.
• Familiarity with utilization management, CMS observation regulations, and throughput metrics.
• Strong communication, leadership, and change-management skills.

Reporting Structure:

• Reports to the Chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine (or designee).
• Works in close collaboration with Departmental APP Leadership, Nursing Leadership, and Hospital Operations.