Summary

The VACIHS is seeking an experienced full-time permanent physician to serve as Associate Chief of Staff for Specialty Care - reporting directly to the Chief of Staff. This role involves oversight of all clinical operations and administrative functions for Internal Medicine subspecialties - including Cardiology - Emergency Medicine - Dermatology - Infectious Disease - Pulmonary - and more.

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
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position
• Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

Duties

• The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers
• This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest
• As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care - you will operate in a model with three core elements - seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran
• This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community
• This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being
• The Associate Chief of Staff for Specialty Care will supervise physician staff - providers - and administrative personnel while collaborating with leadership on strategic initiatives
• This position also includes an academic appointment with the University of Iowa College of Medicine and Des Moines University - requiring active engagement in teaching - and program development
• This position offers a unique blend of administrative responsibilities and the chance to engage in teaching - with 10-20% of the role dedicated to clinical work
• You will lead performance improvement initiatives - ensuring alignment with VACIHS and Specialty Care Service goals while supervising Section Chiefs and administrative staff
• Duties and responsibilities include: managing and directing the work of large - complex organizational units and in applying effective management practices
• developing - implementing - maintaining short- and long-term plans for the Specialty Care ICC (working closely with the Chief of Staff) - consistent with the facility strategic plan
• participates in policy and procedure development - the development of Quality Management (QM) monitors and the development of standards of care
• reviews requests for initial and renewal of credentials and clinical privileges - making recommendations regarding appointment and privileging action
• Annually reviews all clinical privilege forms to ensure they correctly and adequately reflect the services being provided at the facility
• Maintains performance data on providers including workload - clinical outcomes - appropriate and timely documentation - and maintenance of certification using this when recommending privileges for Professional Practice Evaluations (FPPE/OPPE)
• Reviews - interprets - and effectively utilizes performance reports - benchmark data - budget expenditure documents - staffing and other reports in decision making
• Spends a portion of time in clinical practice - providing clinical leadership and problem solving for complex cases and ethical dilemmas
• Works closely with affiliated school of medicine and residency program to ensure a successful residency program
• Responsible for the management of human resources within the service line including hiring and disciplinary action - Labor/Management relations - performance appraisals - and professional boarding procedures for various disciplines
• He/she actively embraces the tenets of Equal Employee Opportunity (EEO)
• assures all employees work in a safe - clean - infection-free environment - and promotes these practices among all employees
• The incumbent supervises physician supervisors within Specialty Care ICC - direct report specialty care providers and administrative staff - and serves as a consultant and advisor to subordinates - peers - and administration
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
• VHA Physician Total Rewards
• 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 - 7:30am - 4:00pm
• Additional information may be provided during an interview.