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 A recruitment or relocation incentive may be available for a highly qualified candidate. The Associate Chief of Staff for Ambulatory Care (ACOS, AC) is responsible for the oversight of all primary care and related clinical programs at the West Texas VA Healthcare System, including the CBOCs and the Outreach Clinics. The ACOS is clinically and fiscally responsible for the delivery of timely, ethical, compassionate, efficient, quality and safe care to Veteran patients. The ACOS needs to be a hands-on leader with a strong desire and interest in innovating and designing the outpatient system of tomorrow. The ideal candidate will be residency trained and board certified in Internal Medicine or Family Practice. (Other specialties will be considered on a case by case basis). The ACOS promotes the development of healthcare professionals through counseling, mentoring, teaching and encouraging self assessment. The ACOS monitors and promotes compliance with VA regulations and professional standards pertaining to outside professional activities and ethical conduct. Incumbent is responsible for developing and maintaining a good working relationship with affiliated medical schools and programs associated with the Medical Center. The ACOS monitors and ensures medical staff compliance with agency regulations, medical staff bylaws, federal and state rules and regulations, VA facility policies, OIG, Joint Commission standards and other appropriate regulations. The ACOS is responsible for leading and guiding the clinical staff in support of the VHA's core values of Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect and Excellence in the provision of these duties. They will be directly responsible for the day to day operations of Primary Care at Big Spring, Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC's) and the Outreach Clinic along with the nurse managers and administrative officers. This position consists of 20% clinical and 80% administrative. This position will be supported by 1 FTEE Administrative Officers, Chief Medical Officers at the CBOCs, and 1 FTEE Secretary. The ACOS maintains and promotes high ethical and clinical standards that are carried into decision-making processes, promoting constructive problem resolution in an environment of competing priorities. Incumbent works with the COS to ensure the facility programs reflect the mission and priorities of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and VA. The ACOS promotes an effective mix, coordination and support of clinical workload and resources, special program mandates and cost/benefit analyses, making recommendation to the COS and ensuring implementation of approved clinical proposals. They promote standards of clinical competence and conduct for staff which are maintained through compliance with credentialing and privileging processes, monitoring and evaluation of clinical practice, peer review, and other appropriate quality improvement activities. The Associate Chief of Staff facilitates assessment of educational and developmental needs of clinical staff to develop and implement plans for meeting identified needs; and to prioritize use of available training funds. They accomplish clinical program goals consistent with available resources and participates in the allocation of facility resources and modification of programs to best meet the needs of the Veteran population. This includes patient appointment availability; improving Ambulatory Care Service efficiency; expanding outpatient care; and implementing evidence-based practices in all clinical services as well as excellent clinical and customer experience. The ACOS reports to the COS of the West Texas VA Healthcare System. This position is an ideal training ground for future COS candidates as ACOS will have exposure and training in several aspects of the position of COS and may be expected to serve as COS during his/her absence. Other duties as assigned by management. Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases. Paid Time Off: 49-54 days paid time off per year (26 days annual leave, 13 days' sick leave, 10 federal holidays). 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 stipend + possible 1 week paid authorized absence to attend. Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided. Contract: No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting. Take a look at VA's Top 20 Reasons Doctors Enjoy Working at VA and VHA Physician's Brochure Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
