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Job Description

AIRLIFT NORTHWEST

Assistant Director – Pediatrics

**Location:** Washington State – hybrid: Boeing Field / remote / base visits

**Department:** Airlift Northwest

**Reports To:** Director of Clinical, Quality, and Patient Safety

Position Summary

Airlift Northwest (ALNW), a vital part of UW Medicine, is seeking a dynamic and experienced individual to join our leadership team as Assistant Director – Pediatrics.

The Assistant Director – Pediatrics supports the Director of Clinical, Quality, and Patient Safety in ensuring exceptional medical care, operational readiness, and strategic alignment across ALNW’s service area. This role services as both a clinical and operational leader, including base oversight, with a specialized focus on pediatric and neonatal transport services, education, quality, and patient safety.

The ideal candidate will bring extensive experience in pediatric critical care and/or neonatal transport, demonstrated leadership in healthcare or aviation medicine, and a strong commitment to team development, safety, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical and Operational Leadership

+ Provide strategic and operational leadership for pediatric and neonatal transport programs across the region Airlift Northwest serves.

+ Provide oversight of base operations, ensuring that staff, equipment, and resources are available and ready at all times.

+ Partner with the clinical and operational leadership to maintain alignment between clinical priorities and operational objectives.

+ Collaborate with medical directors, physicians, and partner hospitals to advance pediatric and neonatal transport best practices.

+ Monitor clinical and operational performance data, identifying and implementing process improvements.

+ Ensure compliance with accreditation and regulatory standards (e.g., CAMTS) and ALNW policies.

+ Perform other duties as assigned.

Base Oversight

+ Provide support for base managers for assigned base(s), overseeing daily operations, staffing, scheduling, and team performance.

+ Maintain regular communication with Base Managers and frontline staff to support engagement, safety, and service excellence.

+ Conduct routine base visits to assess team morale, operational efficiency, and compliance with ALNW protocols.

+ Participate in base-level meetings to ensure consistent messaging, alignment, and accountability.

+ Collaborate with maintenance, aviation, and communications center leadership to ensure seamless coordination of flight operations and clinical readiness.

+ Support staff recruitment, retention, and performance management at assigned base(s).

Pediatric Education, Quality, and Patient Safety

+ Collaborate with the educators and medical directors on the design, implementation, and evaluation of pediatric and neonatal education programs for ALNW clinical teams.

+ Partner with educators and medical directors to maintain staff competencies through training, simulation, and continuing education.

+ Develop and oversee Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Improvement (QI) initiatives specific to pediatric and neonatal care.

+ Review patient care reports, collaborate with medical directors, and ensure ongoing evaluation of pediatric outcomes and performance metrics.

+ Serve as a pediatric patient safety champion, identifying trends, addressing risks, and integrating evidence-based best practices into operations.

+ Promote a culture of continuous learning, accountability, and clinical excellence across all bases.

Team Leadership and Development

+ Participate in the recruitment, selection, onboarding, and mentorship of clinical and operational staff.

+ Conduct performance evaluations, coaching sessions, and professional development activities.

+ Ensure all staff maintain required licensure, certifications, and recurrent training.

+ Foster teamwork, respect, and open communication within and across and across teams.

+ Collaborate with the leadership team to resolve staffing, scheduling, and clinical issues proactively.

Strategic and Resource Management

+ Collaborate with senior leadership on operational planning, resource allocation, and budgeting for pediatric and base operations.

+ Participate with inventory and equipment management for pediatric and neonatal transport.

+ Contribute to policy development and standard operating procedures supporting pediatric and base operations.

+ Participate in labor relations activities, including contract interpretation and union collaboration when applicable.

Community and Partner Engagement

+ Build and maintain collaborative relationships with referring hospitals, EMS partners, and healthcare networks as well as the pediatric specialty centers in the region

+ Represent Airlift Northwest in pediatric and neonatal transport, EMS, and air medical transport meetings / conferences across the region and nationally.

+ Provide education and outreach to community and healthcare organizations to enhance awareness of ALNW’s pediatric services.

+ Support marketing and outreach initiatives that highlight Airlift Northwest’s pediatric capabilities and community impact.

Administrator on Call (AOC)

+ Serve as Administrator on Call on a rotational basis, overseeing all ALNW operations, including staffing, patient care, safety, facilities, and incident response.

+ Provide decisive, mission-focused leadership during emergent situations, ensuring safe and efficient operations.

Flight Nurse Role

+ Perform flight nurse duties as appropriate to ensure operational readiness and continuity of patient care, with a focus on pediatric and neonatal transports.

Required Qualifications

Education:

+ Bachelor’s degree in nursing required.

+ Master’s degree (completed or in progress) in Nursing, Health Administration, Business Administration, Public Health, or related field required.

Licensure & Certifications:

+ Active Washington State Registered Nurse (RN) license required.

+ Professional certifications: CFRN, ACLS, BLS, PALS, NRP, ATLS (or ATCN/TNCC) EMT.

Experience:

+ Minimum of five (5) years of air medical or critical care nursing experience.

+ At least one (1) year of leadership experience in air medical or critical care transport (may overlap with RN experience).

+ Five (5) years of experience in pediatric and/or neonatal critical care strongly preferred.

+ Demonstrated experience in education, quality improvement, and patient safety programs preferred.

+ Experience with operational or base-level management preferred.

Key Skills and Attributes

+ Expertise in pediatric and neonatal critical care and transport medicine.

+ Proven leadership, mentoring, and team-building skills.

+ Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.

+ Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

+ Ability to lead effectively in a multidisciplinary, high-acuity environment.

+ Knowledge of operational planning, budget management, and resource allocation.

+ Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and project management tools.

+ Commitment to fostering safety, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Why Join Airlift Northwest?

Airlift Northwest is a leader in air medical and critical care transport, proudly serving communities across the Pacific Northwest. As part of UW Medicine, ALNW is dedicated to advancing excellence in clinical care, safety, and education.

In the role of **Assistant Director – Pediatrics** , you will help shape the future of pediatric and neonatal transport medicine, providing leadership at both the programmatic and base levels to ensure exceptional care for our most vulnerable patients.

ABOUT AIRLIFT NORTHWEST

Airlift Northwest is dedicated to providing safe, efficient and compassionate air medical transport for critically ill and injured infants, children and adults, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The region’s first air medical transport service, Airlift Northwest has flown more than 100,000 patients since its founding in 1982. Its helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft are strategically located at eight bases throughout the Pacific Northwest and Southeast Alaska. On-board medical experts handle everything from advanced cardiac life support to neonatal resuscitation, all while flying patients to the best available care for their condition.

Challenge. Collaboration. Compassion. (https://www.uwmedicine.org/about/career-opportunities/harborview-medical-center)

ABOUT UW MEDICINE - WHERE YOUR IMPACT GOES FURTHER

UW Medicine is Washington’s only health system that includes a top-rated medical school and an internationally recognized research center. UW Medicine’s mission is to improve the health of the public by advancing medical knowledge, providing outstanding primary and specialty care to the people of the region, and preparing tomorrow’s physicians, scientists and other health professionals.

All across UW Medicine, our employees collaborate to perform the highest quality work with integrity and compassion and to create a respectful, welcoming environment where every patient, family, student and colleague is valued and honored. Nearly 29,000 healthcare professionals, researchers, and educators work in the UW Medicine family of organizations that includes: Harborview Medical Center, UW Medical Center - Montlake, UW Medical Center - Northwest, Valley Medical Center, UW Medicine Primary Care, UW Physicians, UW School of Medicine, and Airlift Northwest.

Become part of our team (https://www.uwmedicine.org/jobs) . Join our mission to make life healthier for everyone in our community.

Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

$91,764.00 annual

Pay Range Maximum:

$178,680.00 annual

Other Compensation:

-

Benefits:

For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-uw-staff/

Shift:

First Shift (United States of America)

Temporary or Regular?

This is a regular position

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):

100.00%

Union/Bargaining Unit:

Not Applicable

About the UW

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives – on our campuses, in our state and around the world.

UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

Our Commitment

The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81 (https://policy.uw.edu/directory/po/executive-orders/eo-81-prohibiting-discrimination-harassment-and-sexual-misconduct/) .

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or [email protected] .

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law (https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=28B.112.080) .

University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.