Physician- Designated Education Officer - (DEO)

Job Title

Designated Education Officer

Duties

The Designated Education Officer (DEO) is responsible for establishing, maintaining, and evaluating the quality of health professions training programs and the quality of care delivered by trainees at the VA facility. The position provides direction and oversight of the HPE service and education support for a full spectrum of paid and without compensation (WOC) HPTs and others associated with a complex healthcare system, which includes employees, upper-level facility management, affiliate schools, and HPTs. The position provides a wide range of program management and administrative duties supporting the HPE programs. 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 health care system. Responsibilities and duties are described in VHA Directives and summarized below.

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; 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).
• Interacts with affiliated institutions as appropriate on matters pertaining to HPT assignments and curricula and on evaluation of the VA medical facility as a training site.
• 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 VA facility 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.
• Assigns work to staff in the HPE service.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 7:30am - 4:00pm

US Department of Veterans Affairs