Physician-Designated Education Officer

About the role

The Designated Education Officer (DEO) is the designated VAMC employee who has oversight responsibility for all health professions training at the VAMC. In addition to the DEO role, the physician will be responsible for the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention program. An all-encompassing culture of health promotion and disease prevention throughout the continuum of care that supports Veterans in achieving optimal health and well-being.

Responsibilities

• Provides leadership, advice, and subject matter expertise in tasks, projects, and assignments related to Health Professions Education programs that includes both Residency, Medical Student and Associated Health Programs.
• Provides policy development, analysis, decision making, and implementation activities affecting the VA health care system.
• Oversees all functions related to the administration of HPE funding, accreditation, appointment process, and affiliate relationships in accordance with VHA OAA directives, handbooks, policies, memos, and notices; The Joint Commission Standards; and accreditation standards for multiple health professions.
• Reviews and ensures that minimal qualifications and credentials are met by HPTs coming to VA for academic programs as attested to by the Trainee Qualifications Certification Verification Letter (TQCVL).
• Interacts with sponsored institution Designated Institution Officers as appropriate on matters pertaining to HPT assignments, curricula and all Education Programs at the VA medical facility as a training site.
• Acts as a consultant to other VA medical facility staff on educational matters and interpreting policies according to VA requirements; provides comprehensive support to residency and training program and site directors.
• Advocates for sufficient VA resources for appropriate management of HPE programs.
• Exercises oversight and administration of all clinical training programs at the VA medical facility and ensures compliance with all pertinent requirements and program accreditation standards. This oversight responsibility includes fiscal matters, affiliation and disbursement agreements, programmatic accreditation, credentials of HPTs, appointment, and payment of HPT stipends.
• Establishes local procedures for Educational Activity Record (EAR) keeping and disbursement including training, reconcile invoices, submit rate schedules and reimburse affiliates in a timely manner.
• Works closely with OAA to expand programs, collect and report data, and obtain guidance for unusual circumstances.
• Sets priorities and assigns work to staff in the DEO service.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• 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.
• Graduate of a school of medicine accredited by the LCME or a school of osteopathic medicine approved by COCA.
• Residency training approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty training program leading to eligibility for board certification.
• Experience in developing, implementing, and managing a Residency or Medical Student training program.