The Associate Chief of Staff for Research & Development (ACOS/R&D) is an Executive Career Field position established within the Office of the Chief of Staff. The principal duty of the ACOS/R&D is to function as the Chief of the Research Service and to take responsibility for the administration of the VA Loma Health Care System research program. To qualify for this position, you must meet the basic requirements as well as any additional requirements (if applicable) listed in the job announcement. Applicants pending the completion of training or license requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Currently employed physician(s) in VA who met the requirements for appointment under the previous qualification standard at the time of their initial appointment are deemed to have met the basic requirements of the occupation. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Degree of doctor of medicine or an equivalent degree resulting from a course of education in medicine or osteopathic medicine. The degree must have been obtained from one of the schools approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs for the year in which the course of study was completed. Current, full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. Residency Training: Physicians must have completed residency training, approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty training program leading to eligibility for board certification. (NOTE: VA physicians involved in academic training programs may be required to be board certified for faculty status.) Approved residencies are: (1) Those approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), b) OR (2) Those approved by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA),OR (3) Other residencies (non-US residency training programs followed by a minimum of five years of verified practice in the United States), which the local Medical Staff Executive Committee deems to have provided the applicant with appropriate professional training and believes has exposed the physician to an appropriate range of patient care experiences. Residents currently enrolled in ACGME/AOA accredited residency training programs and who would otherwise meet the basic requirements for appointment are eligible to be appointed as "Physician Resident Providers" (PRPs). PRPs must be fully licensed physicians (i.e., not a training license) and may only be appointed on an intermittent or fee-basis. PRPs are not considered independent practitioners and will not be privileged; rather, they are to have a "scope of practice" that allows them to perform certain restricted duties under supervision. Additionally, surgery residents in gap years may also be appointed as PRPs. Proficiency in spoken and written English. Preferred Experience: 3 to 5 Years of Research; 2 to 5 Years of Supervisory Experience; 3 to 8 years of VA Research. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-2 Physician Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: The position requires occasional, standing, crouching, carrying, stooping, kneeling, pushing and pulling less than 25 pounds. There may be frequent reaching and walking. As this is a sedentary position, it may require sitting for long periods. The incumbent will frequently communicate with staff and customers online, in person and through emails. ["VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 50-55 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year and possible 5 day paid absence for CME) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory CME: Possible $1,000 per year reimbursement (must be full-time with board certification) Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided Contract: No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting The ACOS R&D conducts long-term strategic planning and develops Research Service objectives (goals), priorities and timelines, and monitors the effectiveness of the interactive system and procedures necessary to advance the research program in accordance with all principles, rules and regulations affecting research within the VA. Operational elements under ACOS R&D oversight include but are not limited to: Serving as the Executive Secretary of the R&D Committee and providing administrative support, including correspondence, scheduling meetings, and responding to questions about the Committee. Notifying investigators, in writing, when a research project can be initiated, and the period for which the project is approved. Maintaining his or her own research activities. At least five-eighths of the ACOS/R&D time must be used to administer the VA medical facility's research program. Establishes and maintains a Veterinary Medical Unit(VMU) prior to authorizing any research involving animals. In collaboration with the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and VMO directing the operation of the animal research facility to ensure compliance with current animal welfare laws, regulations, and policies, and to support R&D programs using animal subjects. Ensuring that all research personnel hold an official VA appointment from HRMS (as a compensated, full-time, or part-time employee, a WOC, or under an IPA) prior to conducting or being involved in any way in VA research activities, and that the individuals maintain their appointment while conducting or being involved in any way in any VA research activities. Ensuring that all requests for WOC appointments for research have been appropriately justified and the appointments are in compliance with all applicable research, HRMS, and other VA policies. Ensuring that a copy (paper or electronic) of all approved Research Protocols, amendments, consent document templates, and other documents submitted to a research review committee/subcommittee, and documents related to the actions of the research review committees are maintained in and controlled by the VA Research. Preparing all communication with ORD on operational and administrative matters. Reviews and approves CRADA's in collaboration with the affiliated non-profit LLVARE. Establishing and maintaining relationships with affiliated institutions and services with the facility to maintain research operations. Ensuring creation and update of the facility Research Safety and Security Program (RSSP) that appropriately addresses research safety, and laboratory security, at the facility and in space occupied by VA under a legal agreement. Coordinating efforts and communication among all relevant officials, committees and individuals to ensure the successful implementation of the RSSP. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
