CU Anschutz Director of Spine Service

Company: Department of Neurosurgery
Location: Aurora
Posted on: January 5, 2026

Job Description:

The Director of Spine Services (DSS) will provide strategic, clinical, and operational leadership for the multidisciplinary spine care program at University of Colorado Hospital Anschutz (UCHA), coordinating the work of orthopedic spine surgeons, spine neurosurgeons, and nonoperative spine care teams, including physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R), pain management, chiropractic services, and supporting disciplines (e.g., physical therapy, imaging, behavioral health). The DSS will be appointed by the UCHealth CMO in collaboration with the relevant Associate Chief Medical Officers (ACMOs), Department Chairs, and administrative leadership. The DSS will work in close partnership with UCHA operational leadership to align spine care delivery across the continuum, and across the Metro Denver UCHealth sites of care, to ensure excellence in quality and safety, prepare for value-based payment models, and foster collaboration across specialties. In collaboration with the UCHA Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and Chief Operating Officer (COO), each Department will identify Clinical Director(s) who will serve as the point person for quality and safety of patient care, access, service delivery and faculty engagement and performance for the Spine Service Line. The DSS is expected to collaborate with the relevant Associate Chief Medical Officer(s) (ACMO), the CMO, the Chief Quality Officer (CQO), the COO, the relevant Department Chairs, and UCHealth administrative and nursing leadership including the Spine Operations Director as hospital administrative dyad to assure the highest quality of patient care and patient and provider experience, as well as efficient operations. Accountability : The DSS will have a joint appointment in Neurosurgery and Orthopedics and thus be accountable to both department chairs, as well as to the UCHA CMO and relevant ACMO(s) for their performance as a Clinical Director. Annual evaluation of DSS performance will be completed by the relevant department chairs and the Spine Governance Committee, with input from relevant UCHA ACMOs. Annual performance evaluation reports will be shared with the UCHA CMO and relevant ACMO(s). All existing academic reporting and accountability relationships remain intact and are not supplanted by Clinical Director-related reporting, accountability or evaluation processes. Key Relationships : Relevant School of Medicine departmental/divisional leadership UCHA Associate Chief Medical Officer(s) (ACMOs) Relevant other Clinical Directors Relevant UCHA Medical Director(s) and Nurse or Operational Manager(s) UCHA physician, nursing, APP, operational and quality leadership UCHealth Metro Denver Chief Quality Officer (CQO) UCHA Chief Medical Officer (CMO) UCHA Chief Operating Officer (COO) Key Responsibilities : As the clinical leader of the Spine Service Line, the DSS will be responsible for: Multidisciplinary Program Oversight Coordinate spine care across orthopedic Surgery, Neurosurgery, PM&R, Pain Management, Chiropractic Care, Physical Therapy, and relevant support services. Foster collaboration among faculty and providers to support seamless, patient-centered care across inpatient, outpatient, procedural, and rehabilitative settings. Partner with operational leaders to support patient access, throughput, and experience. Quality and Performance Improvement Lead the development and monitoring of program-level quality metrics, including outcomes, safety, efficiency, and patient satisfaction. Champion continuous improvement using data-driven methods and structured quality frameworks. Guide the adoption of evidence-based guidelines and clinical pathways across all care settings. Alternative Payment Model Preparation Collaborate with finance, contracting, and operational teams to prepare for bundled payments, comprehensive care models, and other value-based reimbursement strategies. Drive integration of care and appropriate resource utilization to ensure success under risk-based contracts. Strategic and Operational Leadership Serve as the spine program’s clinical representative in strategic planning, business development, and program growth across Metro Denver. Help define and implement goals, Objective Key Result proposals (OKRs), and operational priorities for the spine service line in collaboration with administrative partners. Actively participate in recruitment, onboarding, and performance evaluation of spine faculty. Clinical and Academic Leadership Serve as the liaison between clinical departments (Orthopedics, Neurosurgery, PM&R, Anesthesiology) and UCHealth leadership on spine-related clinical operations and strategy. Support a culture of excellence in education, research, and clinical care. Engage trainees and staff in interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation. Estimated time commitment: variable, depending on scope of responsibility. Anticipated to be approximately 0.5 FTE (0.4-0.6). Minimum Qualifications: Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire. MD or DO Board certified in neurosurgery or orthopedic surgery or appropriately qualified spine surgeon. Active clinical practice at UCHA Appointment as full-time academic faculty at the University of Colorado School of Medicine (UCSOM) Promotes and adheres to UCHealth and SOM Code of Conduct and standards of professionalism. Preferred Qualifications: Commitment to provider wellbeing Advocate of excellence in education Commitment to ensuring an excellent patient experience Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Motivate excellence and teamwork among providers and staff, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration Exemplary leadership skills, including interpersonal communication, interdisciplinary collaboration, problem resolution, decision-making and project/change management Demonstrated ability to address issues and effect action in a timely manner Ability to integrate clinical, quality/patient safety, management and financial concepts Demonstrated experience in leading high-performing, cross-functional teams; designing and implementing processes for strong and effective clinical and practice management operations The starting salary range ( or hiring range ) for this position has been established as HIRING RANGE: An administrative stipend of $50,000 per annum The above salary range ( or hiring range ) represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. This position is not eligible for overtime compensation unless it is non-exempt. The School of Medicine’s faculty provide the most complex, cutting-edge care at the highest level to the people of Colorado. CU SOM is also powered by a world-class research and innovation infrastructure and is committed to training the future leaders of medicine.

Keywords: Department of Neurosurgery, Aurora , CU Anschutz Director of Spine Service, Healthcare , Aurora, Colorado