The Chief of Staff (COS) is the Chief Medical Officer of the Iowa City VA Health Care System, an 83-bed full-service 1b tertiary care facility with 10 Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) in Decorah IA, Waterloo, IA, Cedar Rapids IA, Coralville IA, Ottumwa IA, Quincy IL, Galesburg IL, Sterling IL, Davenport IA, and Dubuque IA. The COS reports to the Medical Center Director and is a member of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT).
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 in a specialty recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties. 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 Chief of Staff (COS) is an active participant at the VISN level and collaborates regularly with VISN 23 leadership which includes the VISN Network Director, Chief Medical Officer, Chief Quality Management Officer, and other VISN 23 officials. The COS also regularly collaborates with other VISN 23 Chiefs of Staff. Responsibility includes, but not limited to: Management and operation of all clinical programs and services offered in the medical center, including Primary Care and Women's Health, Integrated Clinical Services, Mental Health, Medicine, Surgery, Integrated Clinical Services, Geriatrics and Extended Care, Research, Administrative Medicine, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Radiology, Pharmacy, Education, Clinical Informatics, Social Work, Community Care and Telehealth, as well as administrative responsibility for Credentialing and Privileging. Enforcement and monitoring of adherence to medical ethical standards of the profession of the Medical Staff Bylaws and all associated attachments and rules. The incumbent promotes standards of clinical competence and conduct for clinical staff. The COS maintains standards through compliance with credentialing and privileging and the monitoring and evaluating of clinical practice and performance. The incumbent also ensures that all employees reporting under the office of the Chief of Staff follow VA regulations pertaining to internal and external professional activities, as well as conflict of interest considerations. Serves as an ELT champion in the medical center for many of the VA national performance measures, monitors, and is responsible for the promotion and oversight of all clinical performance improvement and systems redesign activities within his/her service lines. The incumbent is responsible for ensuring that all appropriate accrediting bodies' rules and regulations are met, including but not limited to Joint Commission, OIG/CAP, CARF, College of American Pathologists, AABB, etc. Ensures that appropriate systems are in place and productivity measures/tools (SAIL, SPARQ, etc.) are used to routinely, review, analyze, and evaluate patient care activities to determine areas of improvement and provider productivity. Additionally, that corrective actions are initiated and carried out as needed, actions are taken to ensure an appropriate star rating, that clinical teams are fully versed on these metrics and the impact on the delivery of care. Chairs and/or actively participates in numerous medical center, VISN, and national level committees to meet organizational goals and objectives. In addition, the incumbent is an active participant on affiliate and community committees and councils. Ensures that clinical, education, and research programs that complement the primary mission of patient care are established, maintained, and reviewed regularly. The COS has supervisory authority over the Deputy COS, Clinical Service Chiefs, Health System Specialist/COS, and Group Practice Manager. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Recruitment/Relocation Incentives: May be offered to highly qualified candidates. 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. Financial Disclosure: Required.