Physician - Associate Chief of Staff (Specialty Care)

Veterans Health Administration • Walla Walla, WA

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Associate Chief of Staff for Specialty Care (ACOSSC) is a supervisory position in Specialty Care Service at the Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial VA Medical Center in Walla Walla, Washington. The position reports directly to the Chief of Staff, provides oversight of Specialty Care and Home Based Primary Care, and may act as Chief of Staff in that official’s absence at the discretion of the Medical Center Director and Chief of Staff.

The incumbent manages medical services within subordinate service lines and is accountable for ensuring outpatient and specialty care meets local clinical policy, community standards, and Veterans Health Administration and Office of Patient Care national quality benchmarks. The role includes managing daily operations, overseeing provider competency and patient-care standards, guiding program development, and participating in clinical governance and review activities.

The schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Ad hoc telework may be available based on service needs, but this is not a virtual or remote position. Recruitment or relocation incentives may be available; permanent relocation assistance is not available. The position offers competitive salary, possible annual performance bonuses and regular salary increases, paid leave and federal holidays, federal retirement and insurance programs, possible CME reimbursement, and malpractice liability protection with tail coverage. There is no Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting.

Requirements

• Doctor of Medicine or an equivalent degree in allopathic or osteopathic medicine from an appropriately approved or accredited school.
• 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 training program leading to board-certification eligibility, or an accepted alternative pathway specified in the announcement.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when recruitment of qualified citizens is not possible under VA policy.
• Pass a pre-employment physical evaluation and, if tentatively selected for a testing-designated position, drug screening.
• Complete required background and security investigation and onboarding requirements.
• Comply with the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• At least one year of supervisory experience within the last two years is preferred.

Nice To Haves

• At least one year of supervisory experience within the last two years.
• Board certification for CME reimbursement eligibility, as specified in the announcement.

Responsibilities

• Ensure and document that medical providers within the specialty services are competent.
• Manage daily operational aspects of Specialty Care and Home Based Primary Care efficiently and cost-effectively.
• Provide a high standard of outpatient care and demonstrate professional ability in outpatient care or a medical specialty.
• Oversee Specialty Care and Home Based Primary Care diagnostic and treatment functions and establish standards for quality and patient-care procedures.
• Guide the development and implementation of programs involving medical practice, professional standards, personnel issues, quality, and performance improvement.
• Participate in regular meetings of the clinical executive board, professional standards board, and other committees and boards as directed by the Chief of Staff.
• Participate in credentialing and privileging, monitoring and evaluation, clinical review, peer review, management review, reporting, and other assignments as directed.
• Act as Chief of Staff during that official’s absence when authorized by the Medical Center Director and Chief of Staff.

Benefits

• 50–55 days of paid time off per year, including 26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays, and possible five-day paid CME absence.
• Traditional federal pension, with five-year vesting.
• Federal 401(k) with up to 5% in VA contributions.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.
• Possible $1,000 annual CME reimbursement for full-time physicians with board certification.
• Free malpractice liability protection with tail coverage.
• Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, and regular salary increases.
• Recruitment or sign-on incentive may be available.

What This Job Offers

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