The Associate Chief of Staff (ACOS) for the Ambulatory and Emergency Care Clinical Center (AECCC) is the senior physician executive responsible to the Chief of Staff for the leadership, direction, integration, and performance of clinical programs assigned to AECCC across the VA Maryland Health Care System (VAMHCS).
VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment.
Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply. Learn more. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.
Contact VISN5EDRPCoordinators@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance 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 Associate Chief of Staff (ACOS) for the Ambulatory and Emergency Care Clinical Center (AECCC) is the senior physician executive responsible to the Chief of Staff for the leadership, direction, integration, and performance of clinical programs assigned to AECCC across the VA Maryland Health Care System (VAMHCS).
The incumbent provides executive clinical leadership for safe, timely, Veteran-centered ambulatory and emergency care; translates VHA and VAMHCS priorities into operational practice; and is accountable for clinical quality, access, workforce performance, resource stewardship, regulatory readiness, and continuous improvement.
Scope of Assigned Duties: Executive & Operational Leadership Provides overall physician executive leadership for AECCC and is accountable for mission execution, strategic alignment, and operational performance. Translates strategic goals into measurable operational plans and ensures timely follow-through on corrective actions and improvement initiatives.
Leads interdisciplinary efforts to strengthen care delivery across sites, improve coordination, and enhance continuity across ambulatory and emergency settings. Advises the Chief of Staff on program development, operational risk, emerging clinical needs, and innovation opportunities. Ensures clear governance through defined responsibilities, structured communication, and consistent performance oversight.
Provides leadership during emergencies, surges, or disruptions affecting AECCC operations. Quality, Safety, Performance & Regulatory Readiness Promotes high-reliability culture, just culture, psychological safety, and Veteran-centered care. Monitors quality, safety, utilization, timeliness, patient experience, and operational performance metrics.
Partners with Quality Management, Patient Safety, Infection Prevention, Nursing, Pharmacy, and other operational leaders in reviews, corrective actions, and sustained improvement. Ensures AECCC participation in peer review, professional practice evaluation, case reviews, and medical staff quality processes. Maintains regulatory readiness and compliance with VHA directives, accreditation standards, policies, and medical staff bylaws.
Executive Communication, Governance & Compliance Communicates regularly with the Chief of Staff regarding performance risks, staffing concerns, resource needs, and issues requiring executive attention. Ensures timely completion of executive correspondence, action items, reports, and Issue Briefs. Builds positive relationships with Veterans, employees, union partners, clinical and administrative leaders, academic and VISN/VHA partners.
Ensures compliance with laws, regulations, VA policies, information security, privacy, and records-management requirements. Direct Clinical Care (20%): Maintains an active clinical practice consistent with specialty, credentials, privileges, and VAMHCS needs. Provides evidence-based, Veteran-centered care including evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, counseling, and coordination. Documents care accurately and timely in the electronic health record.
Participates in call, coverage, or attending duties based on specialty and local needs. Maintains licensure, credentials, privileges, continuing education, and competency. Work Schedule: 8am-4:30pm
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 an institution whose accreditation was in place for the year in which the course of study was completed. Approved schools are: Schools of medicine accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) for the year in which the degree was granted.
Schools of osteopathic medicine approved by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) for the year in which the degree was granted. For foreign medical graduates not covered in (1) or (2) above, confirmation must be made that the medical school meets (or met) Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) eligibility requirement for year graduated.
NOTE: The Under Secretary of Health or designee in the VHA Central Office may approve the appointment under authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405 of a physician graduate of a school of medicine not covered above if the candidate is to be assigned to a research, academic, or administrative position with no patient care responsibilities.
The appointment will be made only in exceptional circumstances where the candidate's credentials clearly demonstrate high professional attainment or expertise in the specialty area.
Chanel.smith1@va.gov · 410-605-7000
This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.
The posted pay range is $225000 – $400000/yr.
This position is eligible for telework.
Applications close on 2026-10-09.
This position is open under the 'Fed Competitive' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government
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