The Lexington, Kentucky VAMC is recruiting for an Associate Chief of Staff for Research and Development (ACOS Research). This is a position established within the Research and Development Service under the Office of the Chief of Staff (COS). The employee works at the Veterans Medical Center (VAMC) in Lexington, KY, which is affiliated with the teaching hospital of the University of Kentucky (UK).
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: Experience leading a VA Research & Development Program. In-depth knowledge of research regulations including VA, ORD, NIH, DOD, CSP, etc. Experience applying for and receiving funding and/or Merit grants. Experience fostering strong relationships with academic affiliates. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
Duties may include but are not limited to: Formulates the goals and objectives of the research program for the Lexington VA Health Care System. Initiates all policies and procedures for the research program. Continuously monitors new and revised legislation, VHA Directives and mandates from other agencies (OSHA, FDA, the JC, OIG, etc.) to identify changes. Plans, develops, and directs the complex scientific and administrative activities necessary to advance LVAHCS program. Responsible for all administrative and budgetary operations of the service. Responsible for the supervision and evaluation of Service personnel through subordinate supervisors. Responsible for compliance with both VISN- and VACO-mandated research policies including those issued by the Office of Research and Development (ORD) and the Office of Research Oversight (ORO). Supervises activities to ensure ongoing accreditation for the human research program as well as the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) program. Approves research program development initiatives. Reviews all research proposals prior to their submission. Determines the availability of necessary resources (equipment, space, animal needs), data management, biological and radioactive waste disposal, the use of investigational drugs, justification of additional or replacement equipment and personnel, and the impact of the proposed work on the institution. Evaluates the need for approval of local funding for lab assays and pharmaceuticals used in investigator-initiated non­ funded research. Serves as alternate, ex-officio member, as appropriate, to the R&D Committee. Mentors and assists research investigators in preparing proposals that meet R&D Committee and Sub-committee review process requirements. Works independently to plan, design and carry out programs, studies and audits. Serves as the technical authority on program needs and makes appropriate changes as needed and are normally accepted without significant change. Possesses full authority to interpret directives and mandates, to resolve conflicts and establish policy to meet VHA and other regulations. Internally reviews fulfillment of program objectives' (goals) and the effect of the incumbents mentoring of other investigators and scientists in growing the program. Conducts program assessments and prepares reports necessary to appraise the COS and R&D Committee of status of the program. Identifies problems and negotiates corrective action concerning programmatic issues, basic administrative processes, and financial management concerns. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.VHA Physician Total Rewards. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): May be Authorized to highly qualified candidates. 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 territoryCME: Possible $1,000 per year reimbursement (must be full-time with board certification) Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage providedContract: No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm, Monday - Friday