Medical Director, Mechanical Circulatory Support

Heart Failure Society of America; Hartford (CT); On-site; USD 350,000 - 500,000; Full time

Job summary

The Heart Failure Society of America is seeking a Medical Director for the Mechanical Circulatory Support program in Hartford, Connecticut. This role requires a board-certified cardiologist with extensive ECMO experience to lead a multidisciplinary team and drive quality improvement initiatives.

The ideal candidate will oversee clinical protocols and provide mentorship, focusing on the development and expansion of ECMO services. This is a unique opportunity to shape advanced cardiac support at one of the leading healthcare institutions.

Qualifications

• Board certification in Cardiology, Advanced Heart Failure, or Critical Care Cardiology.
• Hands-on ECMO experience with leadership in ECMO management.
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams in high-acuity environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead the ECMO and mechanical circulatory support program.
• Oversee patient selection and clinical protocols.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including surgery and nursing.

Skills

Leadership in ECMO management

Clinical authority in cardiology

Mentorship and teaching

Program development

Quality improvement

Education

MD or DO with board certification in Cardiology

Eligibility for medical licensure in Connecticut

Job description

Medical Director, Mechanical Circulatory Support

Hartford, Connecticut

Cardiologist Opening in Connecticut for Physician Leader, Mechanical Circulatory Support.

The Hartford HealthCare Heart & Vascular Institute is seeking an experienced Cardiology Physician Leader to serve as Medical Director of our Mechanical Circulatory Support (MCS) program with primary oversight of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) services. This physician will provide clinical leadership, strategic direction, and oversight for a growing, multidisciplinary ECMO program supporting cardiogenic shock, cardiac arrest, advanced heart failure, and complex critical care patients.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a physician with deep ECMO expertise and a passion for program development, quality improvement, and team-based care to shape the future of advanced cardiac support at a tertiary/quaternary care center.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the physician leader and clinical authority for the ECMO and mechanical circulatory support program.
• Oversee patient selection, cannulation strategies, management protocols, and decannulation processes.
• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous refinement of ECMO clinical pathways, policies, and protocols aligned with ELSO and national best practices.
• Provide direct clinical care consistent with specialty training (cardiology subspecialty practice).

Quality, Safety, and Outcomes

• Monitor and improve ECMO clinical outcomes, patient safety metrics, and resource utilization.
• Lead morbidity and mortality reviews and quality improvement initiatives related to ECMO and MCS care.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory, accreditation, and reporting requirements (e.g., ELSO).

Multidisciplinary Team Leadership

• Collaborate closely with cardiothoracic surgery, critical care, emergency medicine, perfusion services, nursing, respiratory therapy, and hospital leadership.
• Support recruitment, education, and ongoing competency of ECMO team members.
• Foster a culture of high reliability, accountability, and continuous learning.

Education and Academic Engagement (if applicable)

• Provide teaching and mentorship for fellows, residents, advanced practice providers, and nursing staff.
• Support simulation, training, and continuing education related to ECMO and cardiogenic shock.
• Participate in research, registry participation, and scholarly activity as aligned with institutional goals.

Strategic Growth

• Partner with Heart & Vascular Institute leadership to expand ECMO services, referral networks, and regional impact.
• Support development of advanced shock teams, mobile ECMO capabilities, or heart failure/MCS expansion as appropriate.

Qualifications

Required

• MD or DO with board certification in Cardiology (Interventional Cardiology, Advanced Heart Failure/Transplant, or Critical Care Cardiology preferred).
• Demonstrated hands‑on ECMO experience, including leadership in ECMO management for cardiac indications.
• Eligibility for medical licensure in the state of Connecticut.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams in high‑acuity environments.

Preferred

• Experience as an ECMO Director, Associate Director, or physician champion.
• Familiarity with ELSO standards, registry participation, and quality benchmarks.
• Strong interest in program building, innovation, and system‑level improvement.
• Academic appointment and scholarly activity (if applicable).