Summary The Central Virginia VA Health Care System CVHCS, Associate Chief of Staff for Research and Development (ACOS R&D) is responsible for management and oversight of the human subject, animal, health services, and laboratory research programs and for all other functions under research service. The Director delegates authority to administer the Research and Development Program to the ACOS R&D. Duties The functions of the ACOS for Research and Development include but are not limited to the following:
- Foster research programs throughout the institution that are consistent with the core missions of the VA
- Participate with the Director and Chief of Staff in the management of the hospital's health care programs, particularly in the areas where integration of R&D programs can have a beneficial effect either directly or indirectly on patient care.
- Ensure all required research accreditations are maintained. 4. Serves as the primary official to advise the Director, VISN Director, and Chief Research and Development Officer on all matters of compliance and assurance regarding CVHCS Research Program human subjects' protections, animal welfare, research safety, and research misconduct.
- Administration: The major and reoccurring administrative duties of this position include as follows:
- Develops and implements both long and short-range policies and plans. The policies and procedures dealt with are for all aspects of Research Service including various accreditation requirements; budget and fiscal management; supply, service and equipment procurement; personnel and workforce utilization; contract negotiation; construction and renovation; and space utilization.
- Develops the need for and maintains an awareness of available resources, and makes recommendations to Medical Center management regarding needs, distribution or redistribution of these resources to include equipment, staffing, and space.
- Responsible for formulation and execution of annual service budget including salaries, supplies, equipment and all other general operating expenses as applicable to the service.
- Manages payroll for assigned time and leave accounts including, evaluation of overtime and compensated time.
- Collaborates with Contracting to develop, implement, and monitor contracts for services.
- Serve as Statutory VA Director on the CVHCS Nonprofit Research Corporations (NPC) within official VA capacity to ensure that the NPC furthers the best interests of CVHCS and the VA and that it is managed in accordance with sections 7361 through 7366 of title 38, United States Code (U.S.C.). VHA Handbook 1200.17.
Develops policies and procedures to ensure data repositories comply with all applicable confidentiality and information security provisions, including the Privacy Act of 1974, the HIPAA Privacy Rule, and 38 U.S.C. 7332 (confidentiality of medical records related to drug abuse, alcoholism, alcohol abuse, infection with the human immunodeficiency virus, and sickle cell anemia), and the information security provisions of 38 U.S.C. VHA Handbook 1200.12.
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Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Authorized Learn more.
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact Monique Head, 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
Work Schedule: Full-time, 8:00am - 4:30pm
Telework Available: Ad-Hoc
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.
The ACOS R&D must be a physician unless the Chief Research and Development Officer (CRADO), VA Central Office, has granted an exception. The ACOS R&D needs to have credible research and academic experience. Basic requirements include
- U.S. citizenship;
- physical and mental capabilities to satisfactorily perform duties of the assignment;
- English language proficiency;
- current, full, and unrestricted license to practice medicine in a state, territory, or commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia;
- Degree of Doctor of Medicine or an equivalent degree resulting from a course of education in Medicine or Osteopathic Medicine obtained from one of the Department of Veterans Affairs approved schools; and
- completion of an accredited residency in the specialty area to which the individual is being assigned or in a related area; board certification is required.
In considering appointment of an ACOS R&D, nomination of the Research and Development Committee and the Academic Affiliation Committee will be considered by the Chief of Staff and Director. The nomination is forwarded for concurrence by the national VA Chief Research & Development Officer (CRADO), and following concurrence, the VISN Director approves the appointment.
The ACOS R&D needs to have patient care and teaching responsibilities but shall not have other major administrative responsibilities. The ACOS for R&D is expected to engage in an active research program in addition to fostering research within the VA. The division of time must insure that adequate attention is given to research and development administration.
The ACOS/R&D should have made sufficient contributions in teaching and research to be suitable for an academic appointment at the affiliated medical school. It is preferable that he/she be a full-time employee, appointed on a career basis, with the expectation that tenure will span several years.
Preferred Experience: Medical Credentials: Must be a physician (unless an exception is granted), with a Doctor of Medicine or equivalent degree, completion of an accredited residency, and board certification. Research & Academic Background: Demonstrated credible research and academic experience, including significant contributions in teaching and research suitable for an academic appointment at an affiliated medical school. Leadership & Administration: Experience managing and overseeing human subject, animal, health services, and laboratory research programs; proven ability to develop and implement policies, manage budgets, supervise staff, and ensure compliance with federal and VA regulations. Compliance & Ethics: Strong knowledge of research accreditations, ethical conduct, and regulatory requirements for human and animal research, including safety, privacy, and integrity standards. Clinical Practice: Maintains privileges and active practice in their specialty field, with patient care and teaching responsibilities. Organizational Engagement: Experience participating in operational boards, councils, and committees at local, VISN, and national levels, and leading organizational improvement and quality activities
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Education 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.
Requirements
- U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
- All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
- Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
- Subject to background/security investigation.
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
- Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.
- Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
- You may be required to serve a probationary period.
- Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
How you will be evaluated Your application, resume, C.V., and/or other supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
NOTE: A formal pay-setting process will be used to determine your salary. The salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
Veterans' Preference Note: Preference eligible candidates and other Veterans will be given preference when qualification of candidates are approximately equal for Title 38 positions in VHA. When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.Benefits 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.
How to apply
- To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
- Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
To apply for this position online, complete steps 1 and 2 above by 11:59 PM (ET) on 11/16/2026 to receive consideration. Please note, this announcement may close prior to the closing date indicated if the position is filled through other means. If you are unable to apply online before the closing date click here and include the CBTA-13061524-27-NIB in the Notes field.
During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.Other information This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
