Physician- Associate Chief of Staff Diagnostic Imaging

Veterans Health Administration•Detroit, MI

13d•Onsite

About The Position

The John D. Dingell Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Detroit is seeking a transformative leader for its Radiology Service. The position reports directly to the Deputy Chief of Staff and oversees general radiology and subspecialties including CT, MRI, ultrasound, interventional radiology, bone density, nuclear medicine, cardiac imaging, and certain vascular procedures in the operating room. The role is predominantly administrative, with 51% of effort devoted to clinical practice. The Associate Chief of Staff is expected to lead and develop medical staff, support multidisciplinary teamwork, improve quality outcomes, clinic capacity and resource utilization, and optimize operating-room efficiency. The role also includes fostering teaching and developing research programs, with the opportunity to qualify for an academic appointment at the adjacent Wayne State University School of Medicine. The medical center is a state-of-the-art tertiary-care facility serving as a major site for Wayne State University undergraduate and graduate medical education. Imaging equipment described in the posting includes a 3T PET-MRI, 3T wide-bore MRI, dual-source multidetector CT, X-ray systems, two fluoroscopy systems, and an angiography suite. Clinical duties include reviewing imaging requests for appropriateness; prescribing and adjusting exam protocols; overseeing administration of contrast and other relevant medications; interpreting X-ray, ultrasound, CT, fluoroscopy, MRI, and nuclear medicine exams; consulting with patients and providers; and promptly communicating time-sensitive or clinically significant results. Some image-guided procedures may be performed. The position is not virtual. The stated schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with possible rotation to evenings or weekends. The position is eligible for a recruitment incentive, relocation assistance, and the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to eligibility and program approval. Compensation and benefits described include competitive salary, performance bonus, salary increases, paid leave and federal holidays, federal retirement and insurance programs, possible CME reimbursement, and malpractice liability protection with tail coverage.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree from an appropriately approved or accredited institution.
Current, full, and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
Completion of qualifying residency training in an accredited core specialty program leading to board-certification eligibility, or another qualifying training and practice pathway described in the announcement.
Proficiency in spoken and written English.
Demonstrated administrative and leadership experience.
Ability to motivate, develop, and monitor medical staff and work in multidisciplinary teams.
Ability to support quality outcomes, clinic capacity and resource utilization, and operating-room efficiency.
Required research and educational accomplishments to qualify for an academic appointment at Wayne State University School of Medicine.
Meet VA pre-employment conditions, including applicable drug testing, background/security investigation, physical evaluation, onboarding, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
Ability to meet the position's physical requirements, including visual acuity, keen hearing, clear speech, manual dexterity, and periods of walking, sitting, typing, bending, pulling, and pushing; transferring objects and wearing protective equipment may be required.

Nice To Haves

Leadership experience as a Service Chief or Department Chair.
Board certification, particularly for potential CME reimbursement and academic faculty status.
Experience or qualifications supporting an academic appointment at Wayne State University School of Medicine.

Responsibilities

Lead and oversee the Radiology Service, including its general radiology and aligned subspecialties.
Motivate, develop, and monitor medical staff working in multidisciplinary teams.
Promote quality outcomes, optimize clinic capacity and resource utilization, and improve operating-room efficiency to meet performance measures.
Practice clinically within the physician's specialty, with 51% of effort allocated to clinical work.
Support a teaching environment and assist in developing research programs.
Review imaging exam requests for appropriateness and prescribe or modify exam protocols based on clinical indications.
Provide clinical oversight of contrast, preps, and other medications relevant to the Imaging Service.
Interpret X-ray, ultrasound, CT, fluoroscopy, MRI, and nuclear medicine examinations, using relevant comparisons and clinical information.
Interact with patients to obtain relevant clinical history and physical examination findings within radiology practice.
Consult with clinical providers about evaluation, management, follow-up, and coordinated patient care.
Provide timely and definitive notification of time-sensitive or significantly abnormal results.
Perform some image-guided procedures, potentially including biopsies, drainages, or thoracentesis.

Benefits

Education Debt Reduction Program student-loan reimbursement, up to $200,000 subject to eligibility and program approval.
Recruitment incentive (sign-on bonus) for highly qualified individuals, when authorized.
Permanent Change of Station relocation assistance for highly qualified individuals, when authorized.
Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, and regular salary increases.
50–55 days of paid time off per year, including annual leave, sick leave, federal holidays, and possible paid CME absence.
Traditional federal pension and federal 401(k), with VA contributions of up to 5%.
Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many programs may be carried into retirement.
Possible $1,000 annual CME reimbursement for full-time physicians with board certification.
Free malpractice liability protection with tail coverage.
No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting.