Deputy Chief of Staff - Operations - Physician Regular Ft

Summary

The Deputy Chief of Staff - Operations is the primary backup to the Chief of Staff and provides administrative - clinical - and programmatic leadership to help ensure achievement of the Washington DC Medical Center's (DC VAMC) clinical - research - and educational goals. The incumbent reports to the Chief of Staff and serves as a key clinical resource for the Medical Center Director and the Chief of Staff.

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 allopathic 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 accrediting bodies for graduate medical education - the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or American Osteopathic Association (AOA) - in the list published for the year the residency - or fellowship if applicable - was completed
• OR (2) One year of post medical school training (internship - first year of residency - or transitional year residency) approved by ACGME or AOA followed by two years of post-training independent practice (performing under a full and unrestricted license) in the United States
• OR (3) Non-US residency training programs followed by a minimum of three years of verified independent practice in the United States (performing under a full and unrestricted license) performing duties related to the position they are applying for (United States fellowships would be creditable towards this requirement) - 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
• Exceptions: 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 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
• In rare and unusual circumstances - the Facility Director can submit a memo to the VISN Director through the VISN Chief Medical Officer - who may approve requests for reasonable exceptions to the residency training requirement for Physicians whose composite record of experience - accomplishments - performance - and qualifications warrant such action
• Proficiency in spoken and written English
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit
• Physical Requirements: Lifting up to 35 pounds - intermittently
• moderate carrying (15-35 pounds) - intermittently
• lifting over 35 pounds with assistive devices in accordance with the Safe Patient Handling Policy except in emergent situations requiring prompt patient care
• pulling - intermittently
• pushing - intermittently
• reaching above the shoulders - intermittently - both hands required
• walking - intermittently
• standing - intermittently
• kneeling - intermittently
• and repeated bending.

Duties

• Duties include but are not limited to: Clinical Work Provides 10% or more of direct patient care on a rotational basis and clinical oversight in incumbent are of expertise
• Customer Service Plans the provision of services with a patient centered vision (in alignment with VHA guidelines and policies) to enhance patient education and shared decision making
• Establishes a customer-oriented culture and promotes hiring of persons who demonstrate the ICARE values of integrity - commitment - advocacy - respect - and excellence
• Actively identifies and encourages the implementation of best practices in customer service
• Quality Improvement Develops a high reliability organization through direction of the continuous measurement and improvement of the quality of care provided by the service
• Plans - coordinates - and ensures high quality care through utilization of multiple quality measurement tools
• Improves patient outcomes through the implementation of strategies such as clinical practice guidelines and critical pathways - health risk assessments - provider profiling - use of electronic medical record and clinical reminders - and case management
• Ensures the clinical services' ability to meet standards issued by various accrediting and regulatory groups and VA Central Office
• Research and Education Works closely with the Associate Chief of Staff for Education & Simulation
• Facilitates translation of research findings into improved patient outcomes
• Creates a climate where continuous learning and professional development are valued
• Budget and Fiscal Management Under the direction of the DC VAMC governance structure - collaborates with the Executive Leadership Team and service chiefs in the development and execution of the overall Medical Center strategic and business plan
• Collaborates with other Medical Center leaders to develop initiatives and programs in order to ensure coordination of service - reduction of redundancies - and enhancement of cost effectiveness - efficiency and overall productivity
• Organizational Stewardship Manages relationships with academic affiliates and supporting services to maximize efficiency and drive highly reliable operations
• Demonstrates core values of integrity - commitment - advocacy - respect and excellence
• Is guided by accountability and transparency
• Collaborates with executive - managerial - and clinical leadership in formulating local Medical Center Policy - resource planning for staffing - equipment and space
• Identifies long and short-range needs to formulate proposals for executive level management consideration
• Team Building Develop an interdisciplinary team of innovative - highly motivated individuals who are continuously striving for excellence in patient care and customer service
• Develops a team that is technically competent and understands the interrelationships of all the medical center services in achieving the mission
• Develops collaborative relationships throughout the Medical Center - including active working relationships with the other Medical Center employees - in order to assure full support and coordination between services
• Human Resources Management Responsible for assuring appropriate action in such matters as promotions - selections - rewards and recognition - training - and problem resolution
• Responsible for development and implementation of competencies - providing opportunities for continuing education - peer review - career development and professional enrichment for subordinate employees
• Responds to changing priorities and resources with optimism - encouraging staff to respond positively and proactively
• Communications Demonstrates leadership in addressing ethical issues that impact clients and staff in/or beyond the organization/local health care community
• Protects patient and client data from unauthorized use - including research
• Effectively communicates with employees - patients and their families - stake holders - the executive leadership team - VISN and VACO staff when required
• 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
• 8:00am - 4:30pm

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.