Physician-Associate Chief of Staff/Education

Summary

This full-time position is based in the Oscar G. Johnson VAMC and reports to the Chief of Staff (COS) who reports to the VAMC Director. This is a nationally standardized functional statement for a facility level position that receives guidance on Health Professions Education (HPE) program requirements from the VHA Office of Academic Affiliations (OAA). The DEO is the single designated VA employee who has oversight responsibility for all health professions training at a VA medical facility.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, you must meet the

Basic Requirements:

• as well as any additional requirements (if applicable) listed in the job announcement
• Applicants pending the completion of training or license requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met
• Currently employed physician(s) in VA who met the requirements for appointment under the previous qualification standard at the time of their initial appointment are deemed to have met the basic requirements of the occupation
• Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• Degree of doctor of medicine or an equivalent degree resulting from a course of education in medicine or osteopathic medicine
• The degree must have been obtained from one of the schools approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs for the year in which the course of study was completed
• Current, full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia
• Residency Training: Physicians must have completed residency training, approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty training program leading to eligibility for board certification
• (NOTE: VA physicians involved in academic training programs may be required to be board certified for faculty status.) Approved residencies are: (1) Those approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), b) OR[(2) Those approved by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA),OR(3) Other residencies (non-US residency training programs followed by a minimum of five years of verified practice in the United States), which the local Medical Staff Executive Committee deems to have provided the applicant with appropriate professional training and believes has exposed the physician to an appropriate range of patient care experiences
• Residents currently enrolled in ACGME/AOA accredited residency training programs and who would otherwise meet the basic requirements for appointment are eligible to be appointed as "Physician Resident Providers" (PRPs)
• PRPs must be fully licensed physicians (i.e., not a training license) and may only be appointed on an intermittent or fee-basis
• PRPs are not considered independent practitioners and will not be privileged; rather, they are to have a "scope of practice" that allows them to perform certain restricted duties under supervision
• Additionally, surgery residents in gap years may also be appointed as PRPs
• Proficiency in spoken and written English
• Preferred Experience: Teaching experience in Residency Program or similar format Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-2 Physician Qualification Standard
• This can be found in the local Human Resources Office
• Physical Requirements: moderate lifting, 15-44 lbs; moderate carrying, 15-44 lbs; use of fingers; both hands required; walking 2 hrs; standing 2 hrs; kneeling 1 hr; repeated bending 1 hr; both legs required; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; both eyes required; depth perception; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of color; hearing (aid may be permitted)

Duties

"(1) Advocating for adequate resources for the HPE functions at the VA medical facility and possibly VISN levels.
(2) Allocating payments for accreditation and match service fees for programs accredited in the name of VA.
(3) Allocating payments required by educational cost contracts with affiliates.
(4) Ensuring proper accreditation is maintained and verified for all programs, including both those accredited in the name of VA and those affiliated training programs or consortiums through which HPTs rotate to the VA.
(5) Establishing and implementing local procedures as directed by OAA national policies (e.g., monitoring resident supervision).
(6) Reporting affiliation and health professions trainee challenges promptly to facility leadership, VISN Director as appropriate, and OAA staff.
(7) Overseeing and facilitating the on- and off-boarding of HPTs.
(8) The DEO provides leadership, advice, and subject matter expertise in tasks, projects, and assignments related to HPE programs.
Provides policy development, analysis, decision making, and implementation activities affecting the VA medical facility.
(9) Using the results of the OAA-administered Trainee Satisfaction Survey to assess and improve local training quality.
(10) Directly recruiting HPTs into VA employment or assisting VISNs and other VA medical facilities in recruiting trainees.
Administrative Duties (up to 100%) - Oversees all functions related to the administration of HPE funding, accreditation, appointment process, and affiliate relationships in accordance with VHA OAA directives, handbooks, policies, memos, and notices; The Joint Commission Standards; and accreditation standards for multiple health professions.

• Provides oversight to identify, evaluate, and mitigate risk of injury to HPTs, patients, staff and visitors in collaboration with facility Occupational Health and Patient Safety.
• Reviews and ensures that minimal qualifications and credentials are met by HPTs coming to VA for academic programs as attested to by the Trainee Qualifications Certification Verification Letter (TQCVL).
• Acts as a consultant to other VA medical facility staff on educational matters and interpreting policies according to VA requirements; provides comprehensive support to residency and training program and site directors.
• Acts as the liaison with the sponsoring institution's Designated Institution Officer (DIO) and other education leaders in the academic programs of education and research.
• Advocates for sufficient VA resources for appropriate management of HPE programs.
• Exercises oversight and administration of all clinical training programs at the VA medical facility and ensures compliance with all pertinent requirements and program accreditation standards.

This oversight responsibility includes fiscal matters, affiliation and disbursement agreements, programmatic accreditation, credentials of HPTs, appointment, and payment of HPT stipends.

• Establishes local procedures for: Educational Activity Record (EAR) keeping and disbursement including training, reconcile invoices, submitting rate schedules and reimbursing affiliates in a timely manner.
• Works closely with OAA to expand programs, collect and report data, and obtain guidance for unusual circumstances.
• Reviews and signs appropriate Program Letters of Agreement prepared by the affiliated institution.
• Manages special situations and issues pertaining to HPTs and advising the VAMC Director and the program director of the affiliated institution (or VA-sponsored program) concerning HPT competence, conduct, and compliance with VA regulations and policy.
• Ensures that all VA-sponsored programs maintain accreditation, collaborating with VA program director(s) on reporting, site visits, and making timely payments to match organizations and/or certifying bodies.
• Performs other duties as assigned or for which they volunteer.

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.
VHA Physician Total Rewards.
Recruitment Incentive (Sign on Bonus): For highly qualified applicants.
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) Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory 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 Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm"