Executive Director National Infectious Disease Services

Veterans Health Administration • District of Columbia, DC

15h • Onsite

About The Position

The Executive Director (ED), National Infectious Disease Services (NIDS) provides strategic leadership for the Veterans Health Administration's national infectious disease programs. Reporting to the Deputy Chief Officer for the Specialty Care Program Office, the ED serves as VHA's principal advisor and subject-matter expert on infectious diseases, infection prevention and control, clinical management, antimicrobial stewardship, multidrug-resistant organisms, Legionella and water safety, and bio-surveillance.

The ED leads multidisciplinary clinical, scientific, and administrative teams; establishes national policies and priorities; and develops short- and long-term plans aligned with VA and VHA missions. The role includes issuing national guidance, overseeing prevention and stewardship programs, using emerging-pathogen data to support evidence-based decisions, and advising senior VA leaders on complex public-health and clinical matters. The ED also advances education and research through professional presentations, peer-reviewed publications, and workforce training. Partnerships with federal agencies and private-sector organizations support healthcare quality, system preparedness, employee safety, and consistent, high-quality care for Veterans nationwide.

This is not a virtual position. The position is a four-year 7306 appointment with potential for reappointment, which is not guaranteed. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week. Relocation or recruitment incentives may be authorized, and relocation expenses are authorized. The salary is determined by a Compensation Panel based on education and length of practice; exceptions to the salary cap require approval.

Applicants must meet physician education, residency, licensure, and leadership requirements, and demonstrate all five Executive Core Qualifications and the listed Technical Qualifications. The role requires a medical degree, qualifying residency training, a current full and unrestricted U.S. medical license, extensive national or regional healthcare leadership experience, completed fellowship training in infectious disease, and demonstrated expertise in medical epidemiology.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Must be suitable for Federal employment, as determined by a background investigation.
• Must hold a Doctor of Medicine degree or equivalent in allopathic or osteopathic medicine from an appropriately accredited institution.
• Must have successfully completed qualifying residency training approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
• Must possess a current, full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a U.S. state, territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, and maintain current registration if required.
• Must have extensive healthcare leadership experience sufficient for the equivalent of a senior executive position in Federal service, including national- or regional-level leadership with broad responsibility.
• Must demonstrate all five Mandatory Executive Core Qualifications in the resume: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding; Driving Efficiency; Merit and Competence; Leading People; and Achieving Results.
• Must have completed fellowship training in infectious disease.
• Must demonstrate expertise in medical epidemiology.
• Education used to meet qualification requirements must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency.
• Must complete the application requirements detailed in the announcement's Required Documents section.
• May be required to complete a probationary period.
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Selected applicants must complete online onboarding and provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for VHA's national infectious disease programs.
• Serve as VHA's principal advisor and subject-matter expert on infectious diseases, infection prevention and control, clinical management, antimicrobial stewardship, multidrug-resistant organisms, Legionella and water safety, and bio-surveillance.
• Lead multidisciplinary clinical, scientific, and administrative teams.
• Establish national policies and priorities and develop short- and long-term plans aligned with VA and VHA missions.
• Issue national guidance and oversee major prevention and stewardship programs.
• Use emerging-pathogen data to support evidence-based decisions.
• Advise senior VA leaders on complex public-health and clinical matters.
• Advance education and research through professional presentations, peer-reviewed publications, and workforce training.
• Build partnerships with federal agencies and private-sector organizations to strengthen healthcare quality, system preparedness, employee safety, and care delivery.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package available to eligible employees and their families.
• Relocation expenses are authorized; Permanent Change of Station relocation services are offered.
• Relocation or recruitment incentives may be authorized.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree