Description

Medical Director, Echocardiography Laboratory

Portland VA Medical Center — Portland, Oregon Academic appointment at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU)

The Opportunity

The Division of Cardiology at the Portland VA Medical Center is seeking an outstanding academic cardiologist with advanced training in echocardiography (COCATS Level III) to serve as Medical Director of the Echocardiography Laboratory. This is an excellent opportunity for early or mid-career faculty who wants to step into a leadership role at an academic medical center.  Early career faculty will receive mentorship from the Chief of Cardiology and senior imaging faculty as you take ownership of program direction, while building your own academic and clinical identity.

The successful candidate will lead a comprehensive echocardiography service and join a collaborative, multi-specialty cardiovascular program with a strong academic affiliation. This role offers the chance to build a rewarding academic career within an integrated VA–university partnership.

Position Structure

• Protected time: Protected time and FTE are allocated for this position and will be negotiated based on the academic interest (education, research) of the candidate
• Administrative support: Echocardiography lab manager reports directly to the medical director and will oversee day-to-day operations of the lab
• Appointment type: This is a full-time position (1.0 FTE)
• OHSU track and rank: academic rank (assistant, associate or full professor) will be commensurate with experience. Clinician educator and physician scientist track are eligible for this position
• Laboratory profile: Echocardiography lab is staffed with 5 full time and additional 4 fee basis sonographers. TTE volume is ~7000 studies per year, stress echo and TEE volume is variable (8-12 inpatient TEEs per week). Lab director will be expected to participate in structural echo coverage (TEE for Watchman cases) along with colleagues
• Start date: 07/2027

Directorship Responsibilities

As Medical Director of the Echocardiography Laboratory, you will:

• Provide leadership and oversight for a full-spectrum echo service, including transthoracic (TTE) and transesophageal (TEE) echocardiography, stress echocardiography, and structural imaging for TAVR and left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion procedures
• Develop and update clinical and research scanning protocols
• Lead quality improvement activities for the laboratory
• Direct education for sonographers and cardiology fellows
• Serve on regional (local echo society) and national (American Society of Echo) committees

Clinical Responsibilities

Alongside the directorship, the successful candidate will provide general cardiovascular care across multiple settings:

• Outpatient continuity cardiology clinics
• Inpatient cardiology consult service
• Coronary care unit (CCU) attending service

Academic Mission & Teaching

Teaching is central to the division. Faculty will work closely with OHSU medical students, internal medicine residents, and cardiology fellows in both inpatient and outpatient settings. We expect and support excellence in:

• Bedside and clinical teaching
• Fellowship and resident mentorship
• Didactic education and curriculum development
• Teaching at regional and national echo societies

The division supports both clinician-educator and clinician-researcher career pathways. Clinician-educators are encouraged to pursue leadership roles in educational and clinical programs; clinician-researchers are supported in developing productive research programs.

Advanced Cardiovascular Imaging

The division is committed to continued growth in advanced imaging and offers opportunities to help build programs in:

• Advanced echocardiography
• Cardiac MRI
• Cardiac CT
• Multimodality imaging integration and imaging curriculum development

Candidates with additional training in cardiac MRI and/or cardiac CT, and an interest in program development, are especially encouraged to apply.

Qualifications

Required

• Board Certified or Board Eligible in Cardiovascular Disease
• Completion of an ACGME-accredited cardiology fellowship
• COCATS Level III training in echocardiography
• Eligibility for unrestricted U.S. medical licensure (any state)
• Prior faculty experience is preferred but not required

Preferred

• National Board of Echocardiography (NBE) certification
• Additional fellowship training in advanced cardiovascular imaging

Life in Portland

Portland offers an exceptional quality of life with access to world-class outdoor recreation, vibrant food and arts communities, excellent schools, and the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Faculty enjoy a balanced lifestyle with easy access to the Oregon coast, Cascade Mountains, hiking, cycling, skiing, and wine country.

Join a division dedicated to delivering exceptional cardiovascular care to veterans while advancing education, innovation, and academic excellence.

Additional information:

• Academic affiliation with Oregon Health & Science University
• Teaching and supervisory opportunities with cardiology fellows and trainees
• $380,000-$400,000 annual salary
• A Recruitment/Relocation Incentive may be offered.
• This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.
• Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases
• Paid Time Off: 50-55 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year and possible 5 day paid absence for CME)
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
• Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
• CME: Possible $1,000 per year reimbursement (must be full-time with board certification)
• Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided.
• Contract: No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting.
• For more information on VA Total Rewards https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025-Total-Rewards-MD-Podiatrist-Dentist-VA-Career.pdf

Requirements

U.S. Citizenship. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.