Are you up for an exciting and unconventional leadership role in an inpatient ward with high professional standards and complex patient pathways?

• If you can say yes to that, and are either a specialist in orthopaedic surgery, general medicine or an internal medical specialty, then you could be the future leading chief physician at the Orthopaedic Surgery Department, OUH.
• Then you should, whether you are a specialist in orthopaedic surgery, general medicine or an internal medical specialty, look towards the Orthopaedic Surgery Department, OUH.

We are seeking a leading chief physician with responsibility for operations, development and strong patient pathways for our inpatient ward in Odense. Whether you are a specialist in orthopaedic surgery, general medicine or an internal medical specialty, we are open to it. The most important is that you have a desire to undertake a leadership role in a complex and multidisciplinary inpatient ward.

As part of strengthening the department's leadership structure we are establishing co-leadership between the leading chief physicians and the head nurses.

We have hired three new leading chief physicians with responsibility for outpatient, operating room and the campus in Svendborg, but we are seeking an engaged leading chief physician who in a combined clinical- and management function will help drive and develop the department's inpatient ward in Odense, in close cooperation with the head nurse and the rest of the leadership team.

Will you help shape the future of orthopaedic surgery – and take the next step into leadership?

Do you have ambitions to create development, ensure efficient operations and strengthen patient pathways in a professionally strong and complex department? Have you already shown that you can lead change and patient pathways?

Then we offer an attractive leadership opportunity in the Orthopaedic Surgery Department O at OUH.

We are ready to explore new paths, and see opportunities in the idea that the upcoming leading chief physician may not be a specialist in orthopaedic surgery. Many of our patients have multimorbidity, and a medical or general medical focus on patient pathways we view as an opportunity to rethink and improve our patient journeys.

From a leadership perspective, the other management team will be able to support with the orthopaedic surgery perspective on the patient – and treatment pathways.

We are one of the country’s largest orthopaedic departments and treat patients at main function, regional function and highly specialized levels. The department covers all orthopaedic specialties and is characterized by high professionalism, strong interdisciplinary collaboration and a sustained focus on development.

About the position

As a leading chief physician you will be part of a close co-leadership with the head nurses and share responsibility for leadership, operations and development of the ward. Together you will set the direction, achieve results and ensure high quality in patient care.

Our inpatient ward covers a broad range of orthopaedic specialties. There are elective and acute patients, short and long trajectories, complex infection patients and highly specialized regional and national function patients.

The inpatient ward has in recent years undergone several structural changes and, in its current form, is the result of a merger of three separate inpatient wards, each with its own professional focus. It has been prepared in anticipation of the new OUH.

You will play a central role in translating the department's strategic goals into concrete daily results. This includes, among other things, responsibility for capacity management, patient flow, prioritization of resources, quality development and implementation of new workflows. At the same time you are expected to be a visible and approachable leader who can create commitment, support staff development and contribute to strong interdisciplinary collaboration.

As a leading chief physician you will become part of the department's newly established leadership team structure, and you will influence cross-cutting decisions and the overall development of Orthopaedic Surgery Department O. You will also participate in the department's strategic management work, focusing, among other things, on preparations for the New OUH, development of patient pathways and continued strengthening of the department's professional position.

The position is primarily clinical, but with dedicated time for the leadership task. If you are not a specialist in orthopaedic surgery, the clinical work will be in the inpatient ward.

We are therefore seeking a specialist who both wishes to maintain their clinical role and is motivated to take on a clear leadership responsibility.

Since this is a newly established function, you will have a unique opportunity to help define the role and shape the future leadership structure in the department.

About the department

Orthopaedic Surgery Department O is a university department where the patient comes first, founded on clinical quality, research and development. The department has functions at main function, regional function, highly specialized and national function levels and is centrally located in OUH’s trauma center function.

The department's doctors participate in the orthopaedic on-call duty in FAM. There are several well-established research laboratories (bone/cartilage laboratory, stereoradiography laboratory and gait analysis laboratory), and the Accident Analysis Group is also part of the department.

Internally, there is a tradition of good cooperation between the sectors. We strive for a good tone and a good working environment and rely on everyone contributing to the community. The department consists of one unit in Odense and one in Svendborg. There is also collaboration with The Danish Region of Southern Denmark, Kolding and the National Hospital, Copenhagen.

See more about OUH and Orthopaedic Surgery Department here .

Application, interview and terms of employment

The application is motivated and organized with regard to the seven competence areas.

The application must include a CV, documentation of authorization, specialist recognition and any post- and continuing education.

Salary and terms of employment

Salary and terms of employment for the position follow the collective agreement for medical leaders 22.04.01. The starting salary for the position can be found via the following link: Starting salary for positions in Region of Southern Denmark

In addition to the starting salary, the pay may include negotiated allowances depending on the position, your experience and qualifications.

This is a full-time position of 37 hours/week.

The position is desired to be filled from 1 December 2026 or by mutual agreement.

Application deadline: 25 October 2026.

Interviews will be held on 28 October 2026.

Further information from

Chief Physician Bertel Understrup tel. 2965 9531. Email: [email protected]

Chief Nurse Malene Mink Kristensen tel. 2162 0629. Email: [email protected]