Trauma Program Medical Director, Emergency Department 

Location: Knoxville, TN

Premier Surgical Associates and Parkwest Medical Center are seeking an accomplished, visionary Trauma Surgeon to develop and lead the hospital’s Level II Trauma Program. The Trauma Medical Director will serve as the clinical, administrative, and strategic leader responsible for the development, implementation and ongoing management of trauma services. 

In this key leadership role, the Medical Director will coordinate a team of physicians and advanced practice providers delivering trauma care across numerous specialties. The successful candidate will establish clinical protocols, lead trauma accreditation efforts, drive quality improvement efforts, and foster collaboration among physicians, nursing leaders, hospital leadership and community stakeholders.

The Trauma Program Medical Director will be employed through Premier Surgical Associates and based at Parkwest Medical Center. The position will report administratively to the Premier Surgicalist Director and collaboratively to the Parkwest Surgical Service Line Director and hospital leadership to achieve program goals and maintain compliance with applicable trauma designation standards.

This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of trauma care in East Tennessee by building a high-performing trauma program that delivers exceptional patient outcomes and serves as a regional destination for trauma services.

Key Responsibilities

Medical and Clinical Leadership

• Provide overall medical direction and clinical oversight for the Trauma Program and Trauma Center operations. 
• Develop and lead a multidisciplinary trauma team, including trauma surgeons and specialty physicians.
• Assist with physician recruitment, onboarding, orientation, credentialing, and retention efforts. 
• Participate in trauma call coverage and trauma activations. 
• Develop and oversee trauma admission, triage, transfer, consultation and discharge criteria. 
• Establish, implement, and monitor trauma clinical pathways, algorithms, practice management guidelines (PMGs), and evidence-based protocols.
• Collaborate with nursing leadership and ancillary department to support the clinical needs of trauma patients and ensure optimal patient outcomes. 
  
  

Program Administration and Strategic Leadership

• Lead the strategic development, growth, and operational success of the Trauma Program.
• Collaborate with executive and service line leadership on resource allocation, staffing, budget priorities and program expansion. 
• Ensure compliance with ACS verification requirements, state trauma regulations, accreditation standards, and hospital policies. 
• Participate in trauma center designation, verification, and reaccreditation activities. 
• Monitor compliance with medical staff bylaws and trauma center requirements. 
• Establish and oversee trauma call schedules and specialty coverage requirements. 
• Recommend trauma privileges and participate in credentialing reviews for trauma call panel physicians. 
• Serve as liaison between trauma physicians, hospital leadership, the medical staff and community partners.

Other Duties

•       Performance Improvement and Patient Safety
•       Education and Professional Development
•       Research and Community Outreach
•       Communication and Collaboration

About Premier Surgical Associates and Parkwest Medical Center 

Premier Surgical Associates is East Tennessee’s largest independent general and vascular surgery practice. Premier’s board-certified surgeons provide care across a wide range of specialties including general surgery, vascular surgery, surgical oncology, colorectal surgery and bariatric surgery. Headquartered in Knoxville, Premier Surgical also serves patients through general surgery offices in Cleveland and Johnson City, as well as vascular satellite clinics throughout East Tennessee.

Parkwest Medical Center, Covenant Health’s flagship facility in Knoxville, Tennessee, is the region’s largest hospital and a nationally recognized leader in cardiac, stroke, surgical, and emergency care. Consistently ranked among Tennessee’s top hospitals, Parkwest combines advanced technology with compassionate, patient-centered care to serve communities across East Tennessee.