Medical Director, Labor and Delivery

Reporting to the Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Medical Director of Labor and Delivery is a physician leader responsible for the overall clinical, operational, and quality performance of the Labor and Delivery (L&D) unit. This individual works collaboratively with nursing leadership, anesthesia, neonatology, maternal-fetal medicine, midwifery, and hospital administration to ensure the delivery of safe, evidence-based, patient-centered obstetric care.

The role includes both administrative leadership (30%) and direct clinical care (70%) as an Obstetric Hospitalist, providing in-house obstetric services including labor management, triage, emergency response, and operative obstetrics.

Job Description

• Administrative Leadership (30%)

• Clinical Quality and Patient Safety

• Provide physician leadership for all quality and safety initiatives on Labor and Delivery.

• Monitor and improve key performance metrics including:

• Cesarean delivery rates

• Operative vaginal delivery rates

• Obstetric hemorrhage outcomes

• Hypertensive emergency management

• Shoulder dystocia outcomes

• Maternal and neonatal morbidity

• Lead implementation and maintenance of evidence-based clinical protocols and order sets.

• Oversee compliance with national guidelines and patient safety bundles, including those from Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health, The Joint Commission, and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

• Review adverse events, near misses, and safety reports.

• Lead collaborative risk reviews and action plans related to obstetric events.

Physician and Interdisciplinary Collaboration

• Foster a collaborative, respectful culture among private obstetricians, hospitalists, certified nurse-midwives, nurses, and consultants.

• Serve as the primary physician liaison between medical staff and nursing leadership.

• Facilitate resolution of clinical and operational concerns among providers.

Education and Competency

• Lead or oversee multidisciplinary simulation drills for obstetric emergencies.

• Coordinate educational conferences including weekly fetal heart rate tracing reviews and morbidity and mortality conferences.

• Ensure provider competency in key obstetric procedures and emergency response protocols.

Operational Oversight

• Participate in staffing and scheduling discussions for physician coverage.

• Optimize patient flow, triage efficiency, and operating room utilization.

• Collaborate on budgeting and capital equipment planning.

• Evaluate opportunities to improve efficiency and patient satisfaction.

Regulatory and Accreditation Compliance

• Ensure readiness for accreditation and regulatory surveys.

• Maintain compliance with hospital policies, credentialing standards, and documentation requirements.

Strategic Planning

• Contribute to departmental strategic initiatives related to maternal services growth, program development, and community outreach.

• Support implementation of new programs and clinical services.

• Clinical Responsibilities (70%)

As an Obstetric Hospitalist, the Medical Director will:

• Provide in-house obstetric coverage on Labor and Delivery.

• Evaluate and manage obstetric triage patients.

• Provide labor management and intrapartum care.

• Perform vaginal and cesarean deliveries, including emergent operative interventions.

• Respond to obstetric emergencies.

• Manage postpartum complications as appropriate.

• Interpret fetal heart rate tracings and collaborate with the care team regarding management decisions.

• Supervise advanced practice providers and learners as applicable.

• Document care accurately and in a timely manner.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Chair or co-chair the Obstetric Executive Committee.

• Participate in Perinatal Committee, Department meetings, and Medical Executive activities as requested.

• Provide regular reports to department and hospital leadership regarding quality, safety, and operational performance.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Required

• MD or DO degree.

• Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

• Current unrestricted medical license in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

• Eligible for and maintaining hospital privileges.

• Minimum 5 years of clinical obstetric experience.

• Demonstrated leadership experience in quality improvement, patient safety, or medical administration.

Preferred

• Prior experience as Labor and Delivery Medical Director, OB Hospitalist leader, or quality officer.

• Training or certification in patient safety, healthcare leadership, or quality improvement.

Required additional Knowledge and Abilities

• Excellent clinical judgment and technical obstetric skills.

• Strong interpersonal and conflict resolution skills.

• Ability to analyze quality and operational data.

• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams.

• Effective written and verbal communication.

• Commitment to a culture of safety, equity, and compassionate care.