Physician (Chief of Surgery)

Veterans Health Administration • Lexington, KY

2d

About The Position

The Associate Chief of Staff, Operative Care Line / Chief, Surgery Service provides administrative, programmatic, and clinical leadership for the Lexington VA Health Care System’s Surgery Service. The role oversees all clinical aspects of the Surgery Service and its clinics, collaborating with other Service Chiefs and program managers. It combines hands-on clinical work with oversight and administration of health care delivery, including responsibility for the overall clinical management and day-to-day organization of the Operative Care Line and associated clinical departments.

The position provides leadership and accountability for Operative Care Line operations in support of the mission and values of the VHA, VISN 9, and Lexington VA HCS. The Chief carries out goals, objectives, plans, and policies established by the Medical Center Director and Executive Leadership Team, and ensures an integrated care delivery system that provides a full continuum of patient-focused care for Veterans.

The Chief uses provider and resource data to develop short- and long-range clinical operations plans and address deficiencies; plans and manages performance improvement and quality management programs; and establishes policies, procedures, standards, goals, and objectives for the Operative Care Line. The role addresses clinical outcome and standard-of-care issues and coordinates surgical care across the health system.

Clinical duties include assessing, consulting with, treating, diagnosing, managing, and following up with patients in outpatient and inpatient settings, as appropriate. The physician may also make recommendations to primary care or specialty services concerning patient management and follow-up. The role includes interpreting tests and specialty imaging to establish diagnoses and support management, keeping current with medical and technological advances, and applying them in accordance with VA guidelines and directives. The Chief ensures quality clinical care, customer satisfaction, compliance with Joint Commission and other applicable accreditation requirements, and efficient service delivery.

Requirements

• Doctor of Medicine or an equivalent degree in allopathic or osteopathic medicine 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 eligibility for board certification, or an accepted equivalent training and practice pathway described in the announcement.
• Physician must be board certified or board eligible and have completed an appropriate residency or fellowship in a surgical subspecialty.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Successful completion of applicable pre-employment screening, including a physical evaluation and background/security investigation; drug testing applies to applicants selected for testing-designated positions.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Ability to meet the stated physical requirements, including moderate lifting and carrying, pulling, pushing, reaching, walking, kneeling, bending, coordination, corrected near and far vision, depth perception, color distinction, and hearing (hearing aid permitted).

Responsibilities

• Provide administrative, programmatic, and clinical leadership for the Surgery Service and its clinics.
• Oversee all clinical aspects of the Surgery Service and collaborate with other Service Chiefs and program managers.
• Perform hands-on clinical work and oversee and administer all aspects of health care delivery for the Surgery Service.
• Manage the clinical operations of the Surgery Service and organize the day-to-day administrative activities of the Operative Care Line and associated clinical departments.
• Lead and ensure accountability for Operative Care Line operations in support of VHA, VISN 9, and Lexington VA HCS missions and values.
• Carry out goals, objectives, plans, and policies established by the Medical Center Director and Executive Leadership Team.
• Ensure the service functions as an integrated care delivery system providing patient-focused care for Veterans.
• Use provider and resource data to formulate short- and long-range clinical operations plans and goals, and address deficiencies.
• Plan, implement, and manage performance improvement and quality management programs within clinical operations.
• Formulate and implement policies, procedures, standards, goals, and objectives for the Operative Care Line.
• Address concerns and deficiencies involving clinical outcomes, surgical standards of care, and coordination of surgical care.
• Assess, consult with, treat, diagnose, manage, and follow up with patients in inpatient and outpatient settings, as appropriate.
• Provide recommendations to primary care or other specialty services regarding patient management and follow-up when appropriate.
• Interpret testing and specialty imaging to establish diagnoses and assist in managing medical conditions.
• Keep abreast of advances in medical techniques and technological innovations and apply them within VA guidelines, directives, goals, and mission.
• Provide quality clinical care and services, support customer satisfaction, comply with Joint Commission and other relevant accreditation requirements, and ensure efficient service delivery.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, and regular salary increases.
• 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 and 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 per year CME reimbursement for full-time, board-certified physicians.
• Free liability protection with tail coverage.

What This Job Offers

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