Tips for Clinical Anesthesia Leadership
Whether you are a new Chief of Anesthesia or have many decades of experience in this unique leadership role, there are always pathways to become better. Since 2004, CCI Anesthesia has been supporting hospitals and surgery centers through innovative leadership and high-quality clinical services. Over the years, our clinical leaders have been able to deploy a variety of strategies to foster cultures of excellence in their departments.
Tip #1: Build Positive Working Relationships with OR Staff
Rather than thinking of anesthesia providers as outsourced labor, we want to be considered teammates. This means going the extra mile to help improve efficiencies, even if it does not directly relate to the delivery of anesthesia care. Building relationships with fellow operating room personnel, including surgeons, OR directors, nurses, techs and other staff is worth the time and effort. Cooperation with all care providers makes for a smoother, more pleasant operating room experience for everyone involved.
Tip #2: Use Data to Your Advantage
Seasoned leaders know how important data is in decision-making processes. Decisions, when backed by data, are more well-received and taken more seriously. Benchmark your statistics against other facilities in your network and use national data to see how your team is truly performing. Data can be used to banish complacency, or alternatively, inspire a sense of accomplishment. Ask for patient feedback and take appropriate actions.
Tip #3: Inspire a Positive Work Culture
Departmental leaders often drive the tone of work culture. Your mood, work ethic and commentary should always be inspiring to those around you. Keeping your relationship with other providers and surgical team members positive is contingent on open channels of communication and transparency. Always strive for honesty and transparency in job descriptions, evaluations and human resource issues. Handle any issues that arise with patience and discernment.
Tip #4: Know Available Resources and Use Them
Being a Chief of Anesthesia can often feel isolating. At CCI Anesthesia, our leaders are equipped with a myriad of resources offered by our corporate office. In addition to the CCI Leadership Institute, where leaders are invited annually to learn effective management techniques from other anesthesia leaders, our Chiefs of Anesthesia are supported by Regional Medical Officers and a Regional Director of Operations. These are the types of resources any Chief of Anesthesia needs in order to be successful.
Tip #5: Maintain Clinical Leadership Through Regular Practice
As a Chief of Anesthesia, it is all too easy to spend more time in the office or running the board than you do in the operating room. Take time regularly to interface with patients and do cases—even the hard ones. Leaders should not lose touch with the clinical practice of anesthesia and the logistics of day-to-day work. Practicing anesthesia will provide a close-up view of any barriers your teammates are facing and potentially reveal sources of inefficiencies.
A Rare Breed of Anesthesiology Leaders
Finding anesthesia providers who are clinically excellent, born leaders with an acumen for business management is our specialty. Whether you are an anesthesia provider looking for a new or different leadership position or an administrator longing for strong leadership in your anesthesia department, you are in the right place.
Contact us today to learn more about CCI Anesthesia—a place where hospitals and surgery centers are matched with the high-performing anesthesia leaders they need. We are actively recruiting anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists at hospitals and surgery centers across the country. Whether you are interested in a leadership role or part-time work, we may have the job you are looking for. View our open job opportunities today or contact us to schedule an appointment to talk with us about available opportunities.