Physician (Deputy Chief of Staff)

Veterans Health Administration • Lexington, KY

1d

About The Position

The Deputy Chief of Staff (DCOS) is a full member of the senior leadership team and participates in decision-making for overall health system administration. The DCOS demonstrates servant leadership and works transparently, cooperatively, and collaboratively with executive leadership to formulate, supervise, and integrate clinical activities related to the health system’s professional services and research.

The DCOS participates in health system governing councils and decision-making processes, reporting directly to the Director. The role provides leadership, coordination, and oversight across a broad range of clinical services and programs, including emergency services, primary care, mental health, medicine, neurology, surgery, anesthesia, research, education, dental, pathology and laboratory medicine, physical medicine and rehabilitation, radiology, geriatrics and extended care, women’s health, pharmacy, care in the community, and clinical operations.

The DCOS serves on key medical center management bodies and as a member and chair of the organized medical staff, helping ensure compliance with bylaws and regulations, supporting policies that keep practitioners within their licensed scopes, contributing to the medical record system, and participating in in-service training. The role co-chairs the Medical Executive Board, Health Care Delivery Council, and Peer Review Committee; supervises staff; supports patient care, education, and organizational policy; and is responsible for assigned VA performance measures and clinic access goals. The DCOS may serve on local, VISN, and national committees as assigned by the Chief of Staff, Director, or VISN Chief Medical Officer. Other duties may be assigned.

The position follows a Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. work schedule. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package, including competitive salary, annual performance bonuses, regular salary increases, paid time off, retirement benefits, insurance options, 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 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 board-certification eligibility, or qualifying alternative training and independent practice experience as specified in the announcement.
• Board certification in a clinical specialty.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Meet applicable pre-employment conditions, including background/security investigation, drug screening for testing-designated positions, pre-employment physical evaluation, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
• Complete the required online onboarding and application requirements; comply with Selective Service registration requirements for males born after December 31, 1959.

Nice To Haves

• Prior or current experience as a Clinical Service Chief within the VA or an equivalent role in the community.

Responsibilities

• Participate with governing councils, management, medical staff, and clinical leaders in health system decision-making structures and processes; report directly to the Director.
• Provide leadership, coordination, and oversight for the listed clinical services and programs, including clinical operations and research and education services.
• Serve on key medical center managerial bodies and as a member and chair of the organized medical staff; help ensure adherence to bylaws and rules and regulations.
• Work with health care professionals to establish policies that ensure practice within the scope of their licenses.
• Consult in developing and maintaining an adequate medical record system and participate in in-service training programs.
• Co-chair the Medical Executive Board, Health Care Delivery Council, and Peer Review Committee.
• Supervise staff, including assigning and reviewing work and performing administrative and personnel management functions.
• Meet VA performance measures and clinic access goals assigned to the Chief of Staff.
• Assist with top-management administrative matters affecting patient care, education, and organizational policy.
• Participate in local, VISN, and national committees as assigned by the Chief of Staff, Director, or VISN Chief Medical Officer.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

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 absence for CME.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and a federal 401(k) with up to 5% in VA contributions.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many programs may be carried into retirement.
• Possible $1,000 per year CME reimbursement for eligible full-time physicians with board certification.
• Free malpractice liability protection with tail coverage.
• No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting.

What This Job Offers

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