Physician-Chief of Geriatrics & Extended Care

Chief-Geriatrics and Extended Care

Executive Leadership & Program Oversight

• Serves as the facility's senior executive authority on all geriatrics and extended care clinical and administrative matters
• Provides strategic vision and day-to-day leadership across the full GEC service line, ensuring alignment with VA Central Office directives, VISN 7 priorities, and local medical center goals
• Reports to medical center senior leadership and serves as a key member of the executive leadership team, representing GEC interests in facility-wide planning and resource allocation
• Maintains current knowledge of evolving VA policies, SOCE standards, Joint Commission requirements and national geriatric care best practices

Clinical Program Management

• Provides direct oversight of the Community Living Center (CLC), including skilled nursing, restorative care, and long-term care services, ensuring regulatory compliance and person-centered care delivery
• Leads the Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) program, overseeing interdisciplinary team operations to deliver comprehensive primary care to high-risk Veterans in their homes
• Collaborates closely with Palliative Care & Hospice leadership to ensure seamless, compassionate end-of-life services across inpatient and community settings
• Partners with program leads for Adult Day Health Care (ADHC), Home/Homemaker Health Aide (H/HHA), Veteran-Directed Care, Purchased Skilled Home Care (PSHC), In-Home Respite (IHR), and Community Nursing Home (CNH) programs
• Coordinates care transitions and continuity across all GEC programs to reduce avoidable hospitalizations and improve Veteran outcomes

Quality, Safety & Compliance

• Champions a culture of safety and continuous quality improvement across all GEC programs
• Oversees performance on key national GEC metrics including fall prevention, pain management, pressure injury prevention, restraint reduction, and MDS/OASIS accuracy.
• Ensures all programs meet or exceed SOCE, Joint Commission, and VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) standards
• Leads preparation for and response to regulatory surveys, audits, and accreditation reviews
• Reviews and acts on adverse events, close calls, and patient safety reports in a timely manner

Workforce Leadership

• Recruits, develops, and retains a high-performing, multidisciplinary GEC workforce including physicians, NPs, nurses, social workers, therapists, and support staff
• Fosters an inclusive, psychologically safe work environment that supports staff engagement, professional growth, and well-being
• Conducts or oversees performance evaluations, competency assessments, and progressive disciplinary actions in accordance with VA HR policy
• Serves as a mentor and resource for GEC clinical staff, trainees, and affiliated academic partners

Program Development & Strategic Growth

• Leads expansion and innovation efforts across GEC services to meet the evolving needs of Augusta's aging Veteran population
• Identifies gaps in care, evaluates community resources, and develops new programs or partnerships to address unmet needs
• Collaborates with Community Care, VISN 7 GEC leadership, and VA Central Office on initiatives such as MISSION Act-related community care integration
• Represents VA Augusta GEC at local, VISN, and national conferences, workgroups, and committees

Data Stewardship & Information Security

• Ensures all GEC staff handle sensitive Veteran health information in full compliance with VA privacy, HIPAA, and information security policies
• Utilizes VA data systems (CPRS, VSSC, CDW, etc.) to monitor program performance, track outcomes, and support data-driven decision-making
• Maintains accurate and timely documentation and reporting for all GEC programs

Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm. Work Schedule subject to change based on agency needs.