The Associate Chief of Staff (ACOS) Mental Health Services provides administrative, clinical, and programmatic leadership for mental health services to ensure achievement of the clinical, research, and education goals of the program. The incumbent reports to the Chief of Staff or designee and serves as a key clinical resource for the Medical Center Director and the Chief of Staff.
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. Additional Requirement: Board certified physician. Demonstrated management, leadership and administrative skills. Ability to coordinate a broad continuum of programs. Demonstrated skills in providing interface with academic affiliates and other key stakeholders. 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.
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 responsibilities include hands on clinical work, oversight, and administration of all aspects of the service, including an extensive research program and guidance and training for residents and other trainees. Additionally, the incumbent is directly accountable to the Medical Center Executive Leadership Team for day-to-day administrative activities of the service, and accountable to the Chief of Staff for clinical program activities and overall compliance to VA, VHA, and VISN wide policies and procedures related to this service. This includes, but is not limited to the following along with other duties as assigned: Bases plans on patient and staff feedback and projected needs. 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. Responsible for the financial management of the service, including budget oversight, planning, and management. Develops and implements tracking methods to monitor the service's fiscal and other key operational activities. Plans initiatives and develops programs in collaboration with other services to ensure coordination of service, reduction of redundancies, and enhancement of cost effectiveness, efficiency and overall productivity. Chairs the Disruptive Behavior Committee to ensure a safe working environment for the veterans, their families, as well as for the Iowa City VA Health Care System staff who service the veterans and their families. The safe environment is provided through over-sight of inappropriate disruptive behaviors of veterans, their families, and staff through educational awareness of inappropriate behavior which is disruptive to the care of concerned. Responsible for development and implementation of competencies, providing opportunities for continuing education, peer review, career development and professional enrichment for service employees. The incumbent receives assignments of a general nature from the Chief of Staff and/or Medical Center Director. Subsequent findings and recommendations are used by the Chief of Staff and/or Medical Center Director as the basis for his/her consequent decision-making. Much of the incumbent's responsibilities are self-initiated, such as identifying and correcting problems, and identifying ways of improving the efficiency of the service. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Learn more EDRP Authorized: Authorized. Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 50-55 days of annual paid time offer 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 Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided Contract: No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 8:00am-4:30pm. Alternative work hours, if desired, should be agreed upon at the time of hire.