The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) VISN 8 works collaboratively with Medical Center Directors, Chiefs of Staff, and service-level Chiefs as needed to bring the clinical insight, managerial acumen, and strategic leadership required to integrate the diverse medical centers, clinics, and service sites across VISN 8 into a unified, high-performing healthcare delivery system.
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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Preferred Experience: Deputy Chief of Staff experience or higher. Physical Requirements: Pre-employment physical examination as required by VA Handbook 5019. There may be some walking, standing, sitting, bending, and carrying of light items.
The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) VISN 8 is instrumental in advancing the Veterans Health Administration's (VHA) core priorities: patient-centered care, population health, exceptional customer service, and accountability for quality, cost, and collaboration. This visionary leadership role drives transformative cultural and operational changes within modern healthcare. The CMO develops and executes this vision by implementing national initiatives and collaborating with federal, state, and community health partners to ensure integrated care for Veterans. Additionally, the CMO advises the VISN Director on clinical matters, translating national policies into regional actions and aligning clinical operations with performance metrics and emerging care models such as virtual care, whole health, and precision medicine. The role emphasizes continuous learning, innovation, and psychological safety, engaging front-line providers, and interdisciplinary teams to advance clinical excellence. This position is crucial for ensuring VISN 8's leadership in Veteran-centered healthcare delivery, operational excellence, and large-scale innovation. Part of The VISN 8 CMO major clinical administrative and planning duties include but are not limited to: - Provide expert clinical guidance to those involved in specialty and primary care throughout the network - Actively facilitate the establishment of a network-wide primary care system to improve access to care for veterans - Coordinate strategic planning efforts for health care delivery with effective business planning to assure maximum healthcare quality and efficiency - Serve as the Network Academic Affiliation Officer to foster strong academic affiliation and mutual support of VISN and affiliate goals - Maintain open communication with all stakeholders on clinical issues to promote understanding and buy-in of network improvement efforts - Maintain working knowledge of all aspects of network plans and programs to effectively represent the ND - Demonstrate management and leadership ability, vision, creativity, team building and strong commitment to excellence in patient care - Ensure that systems for credentialing and privileging are conducted appropriately across VISN 8 - Facilitate and participate in appropriate health service and clinical research within the network - Assist in the development, organization, and presentation of education and training programs that prepare VISN staff for the future realities of patient care and customer focused standards - Actively participate in the network budget process, performance management system, strategic/business/construction capital as set planning to ensure that patient care needs remain a priority - Encourage clinical innovation at individual VISN sites as well as between VISNs - Participate in the resolution of conflicts between local needs and network priorities through principled negotiation, education, sharing of performance data and empowerment - Maintain dialogue with VISN staff, other VISNs and VA Headquarters to facilitate rapid and open communication VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Authorized Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized 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