LICU

Key Responsibilities

1. Patient Management in LICU

• Manage critically ill patients with:
• Acute liver failure (ALF)
• Decompensated cirrhosis and multi-organ dysfunction
• Gastrointestinal bleeding, hepatic encephalopathy
• Portal hypertension complications
• Post-liver transplant critical care
• Administer appropriate therapies including vasopressors, plasma exchange, CRRT, ventilation, etc.

2. Advanced ICU Support

• Oversee ventilation strategies (including ARDS protocols), hemodynamic monitoring, and renal replacement therapy (CRRT/SLED).
• Monitor and manage coagulopathy, infection, cerebral edema, and metabolic derangements in liver failure patients.
• Supervise plasma exchange, MARS therapy (Molecular Adsorbent Recirculating System), or other liver-assist technologies if available.

3. Transplant & Multidisciplinary Coordination

• Collaborate closely with hepatologists, transplant surgeons, nephrologists, and infectious disease teams.
• Prepare and optimize patients for liver transplantation from ICU.
• Coordinate pre- and post-operative ICU management for transplant recipients.

4. Documentation & Quality Control

• Maintain detailed patient records, clinical notes, and handovers.
• Monitor infection control practices and ICU protocol adherence.
• Participate in mortality reviews and quality improvement initiatives.
• Assist in protocol development for liver-related critical care.

5. Family Counseling & Communication

• Provide empathetic and transparent communication with families of critically ill patients.
• Discuss prognosis, treatment options, and potential transplant outcomes.

6. Academic & Training Responsibilities (If Teaching Hospital)

• Teach and guide junior doctors, fellows, residents, and nursing staff in LICU care.
• Participate in CMEs, conferences, and clinical audits.
• Involve in research and data collection related to liver intensive care.

Qualifications

Essential:

• MBBS + MD / DNB in Anaesthesia / Internal Medicine / Pulmonary Medicine / Emergency Medicine
• DM / DNB in Critical Care Medicine OR Fellowship in Critical Care (ISCCM/IDCCM)
• Experience in managing liver failure and transplant patients

Desirable:

• Additional training or experience in Hepato-Critical Care or Transplant ICU
• BLS, ACLS, ATLS certified
• Publications or research in liver failure or transplant outcomes

Skills & Competencies

• Expertise in management of ALF, ACLF, and post-transplant cases
• Competency in invasive procedures: central lines, intubation, tracheostomy, dialysis access
• Team coordination and cross-specialty communication
• Calm under pressure with strong clinical decision-making
• Compassionate communication with patients and families