Summary

The VACIHS is seeking an experienced full-time permanent physician to serve as Associate Chief of Staff-Surgery (ACOS-S) - reporting directly to the Chief of Staff. This role involves oversight of all clinical operations and administrative functions for Internal Medicine subspecialties - including General Surgery - Podiatry - Audiology - Dental - Vascular - Urology - Optometry - and Ophthalmology.

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-Surgery (ACOS-S) reports directly to the Chief of Staff (COS) and is an actively practicing surgeon or surgical specialty physician
• The ACOS-S will support the COS in carrying out the VA mission and ensure compliance with VA and facility directives
• The ACOS-S will be responsible for all clinical and administrative requirements within the service
• The incumbent will ensure representation of the surgical service at meetings to meet facility - VISN - or National objectives
• Duties include: Strong leadership abilities in both clinical and administrative aspects of surgical care
• Developing and executing strategic plans for each of section falling under the Surgery umbrella and ensuring compliance with VHA policy
• Identify and address opportunities to improve patient care within the facility
• Maintain a collaborative partnership with all other service chiefs - VACIHCS - affiliates and VISN leadership
• Maintain privileges and providing direct patient care in his/her specialty field
• Ensure high quality patient care is delivered in a resource efficient manner
• Promote the development of healthcare professionals within the service
• Participate in the selection of qualified professional staff and ensure that recruitment and hiring meets VA and academic affiliation requirements
• Knowledgeable in the functioning of residency and allied health educational programs within the service
• Schedule and participate in monthly staff meetings
• Ensure appropriate systems are in place to review - analyze - and evaluate patient care activities
• Monitor and tracking performance measures under Surgical Services scope of practice
• Monitor and ensure each section's staff are in compliance with VA - and other accrediting bodies as well as all other pertinent regulations/policies as appropriate
• Provide consultation and facilitate disposition of surgical care for our patients
• Demonstrate the ability to appropriately and courteously relate to internal and external customers
• Maintain the confidentiality of patient/employee information - and to function and work in a safe manner
• 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 - 7:00am - 5:00pm.