Summary

The VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System (VAPHS) is seeking a highly qualified candidate to join our clinical leadership team in the role of Associate Chief of Staff for Behavioral Health Service Line (ACOS - BHSL).

Qualifications

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 allopathic 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 accrediting bodies for graduate medical education - the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or American Osteopathic Association (AOA) - in the list published for the year the residency - or fellowship if applicable - was completed
• OR (2) One year of post medical school training (internship - first year of residency - or transitional year residency) approved by ACGME or AOA followed by two years of post-training independent practice (performing under a full and unrestricted license) in the United States
• OR (3) Non-US residency training programs followed by a minimum of three years of verified independent practice in the United States (performing under a full and unrestricted license) performing duties related to the position they are applying for (United States fellowships would be creditable towards this requirement) - 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
• Exceptions: 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 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
• In rare and unusual circumstances - the Facility Director can submit a memo to the VISN Director through the VISN Chief Medical Officer - who may approve requests for reasonable exceptions to the residency training requirement for Physicians whose composite record of experience - accomplishments - performance - and qualifications warrant such action
• Proficiency in spoken and written English
• Preferred Experience: A minimum of 5 years of demonstrated leadership experience managing a complex mental health program
• Experience with mental health research and education
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Must be able to physically and mentally perform the duties of Physician under normal and emergent conditions
• Moderate lifting 15-44 lbs and over with assistive devices - heavy carrying of 15-44 lbs and over with assistive devices
• reaching above shoulder
• use of fingers - both hands required - walking or standing up to 4 hours per day
• repeated bending up to 1-2 hours per day
• ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination
• near vision correctable
• hearing aid permitted
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Duties

• The Associate Chief of Staff for Behavioral Health Service Line (ACOS - BHSL) provides oversight of clinical operations and administrative functions of mental health programs including: inpatient - outpatient and residential mental health care - psychiatry - psychology - social work - addiction and substance use care - military sexual trauma care - PTSD - domiciliary and suicide prevention
• Clinical programing spans across 2 campuses - 6 CBOCs and additionally serves the western half of the legacy VISN 4 market
• The ACOS - BHSL will have research and academic opportunities through the VA as well as the School of Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh
• This position is responsible for the effective and efficient management of the behavioral health service line including oversight of budget and fiscal management - personnel management - recruitment and retention - strategic planning - program development - education of trainees - quality management - productivity and performance metrics - engages key stakeholders to support and expand mental health research and assuring that the resource core and administrative functions are integrated to provide healthcare excellence and value
• The incumbent is expected to provide leadership to enhance ongoing programs and develop new programs to advance Veterans' health through excellence mental health care - clinical training and research
• The ACOS - BHSL chairs and serves on various committees and workgroups at the facility and/or regional level
• The ACOS - BHSL will be expected to participate in clinical care within their area of specialty
• Incumbent will report to the facility Chief of Staff
• 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 Work Schedule: Negotiable - Monday through Friday - 8:00 a.m
• - 4:30 p.m.