Physician (Chief Clinician Well-Being Officer)

General Description of Assigned Duties:

This position serves as a Chief Clinician Well-Being Officer (CWO) at the VA Maryland Health Care System (VAMHCS).

The CWO is responsible for creating and maintaining a facility-wide culture of well-being and increased resiliency through incorporation of specific Whole Health practices and collaboration with key program offices, executive leadership, middle management, and employees to support self-care and practice redesign efforts. The CWO is responsible for addressing the unique needs of health care professionals by improving the efficiency of the practice environment and improving elements of organizational culture such as creating collegiality and community, advancing leadership behaviors among clinical and section leaders, creating peer support and other support resources for those in distress. It is imperative that the CWO be able to work effectively across multiple disciplines and health care professions to effect system-level change.

As a Physician - CWO the individual must qualify to perform duties as a physician, have completed an accredited residency and/or possess experience which has qualified the individual to perform general duties and some specialized functions and procedures without supervision. Staff physicians may also include attendings who train physician residents assigned in facilities with residency training programs, and consultants who are capable of giving authoritative views and opinions on subjects in their field of medicine.

Functions:

• Establishes a strategic vision of why and how the VAMHCS will improve the work environment to advance the well-being of all health care professionals.
• Advises VAMHCS Executive Leadership Team (ELT) members on a facility-wide strategy to advance well-being.
• Works collaboratively with all levels of staff within the facility including Executive Leadership, Employee Experience/Engagement, Whole Health, System Redesign, Occupational Health, unit supervisors and others in assessing, developing and maintaining staff employee well-being activities.
• Leads and implements a team of ambassadors from various disciplines in order to be constantly connected to the specific needs of professions from across the Statement of Duties VHA-Internal Use Only Page 2 of 4 organization.
• Evaluates VAMHCS culture, identifies issues in the workplace that affect morale and makes sure any proposed changes are inclusive to all employees.
• Implements effective evidence-based, group-level interventions and system-level interventions.
• Implements systems-level interventions on efficiency of practice, participatory management and empowering health care professionals to develop their voice on culture.
• Regularly monitors and reports outcomes, including measures of engagement, professional fulfillment, return on investment, value on investment, and tracks how they change with the introduction of interventions.
• Coordinates and works with mental health leaders to decrease stigma and improve access to and awareness of peer support and mental health services.
• Provides direct assessment of professional fulfillment and distress, benchmarks the organizational experience relative to other medical centers, and tracks these measures over time.
• Will identify opportunities for improvement that require greater time, attention and support from leaders outside the work unit to make progress and champion improvements with appropriate leadership.
• Oversees longitudinal assessment of employee well-being across the organization.
• Oversees assessment of the efficacy of well-being interventions and progress toward VAMHCS goals.
• Oversees implementation of well-being programming which is commensurate with the needs of different populations of clinical staff.
• Works with other system leaders and stakeholders to advise and support work unit and systemwide initiatives centered on fostering employee well-being.
• Ensures alignment of well-being and clinical staff experience efforts with organizational priorities.
• Oversees review and refinement of relevant strategies, policies, and procedures impacting clinician well-being.

Supervisory Controls:

The CWO reports directly to a VA Medical Center/ Health Care System ELT member. Employee plans and organizes work with assistance from the supervisor as to meet local and VA-wide time frames to complete analysis requirements, reports and special assignments and only refers the non-routine and high technical problems to his/her supervisor. Otherwise, works independently making decisions based on guidelines, precedents and regulations and performs duties in such a manner that only minimal supervision is required. Performance is judged in terms of overall effectiveness of the operation through broad general objectives, the adequacy and accuracy of the work, timeliness, and conformance to established procedures, policies and instructions.

Customer Services Requirement:

Relationships with management, co-workers, patients, and the general public are consistently courteous, respectful, and cooperative in nature. Incumbent will display a cooperative attitude and will effectively work together to implement the organization’s mission and goals. Incumbent will ensure productivity is maintained at the established level for the program for which he/she is responsible.

Age, Development, and Cultural Needs of Patients

The Chief Clinician Well-Being Officer is a member of the VAMHCS. The Chief Clinician Well-Being Officer is accountable to the supervisor for completing employee care assignments and for communicating employee response to care provided by the coordinator.

Computer Security:

Protects printed and electronic files containing sensitive data in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, Federal regulations, VA statutes and policy, and VHA policy. Protects the data from unauthorized release or from loss, alteration, or unauthorized deletion. Follows applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files, release of access codes, etc. Uses word processing software to execute several office automations functions such as storing and retrieving electronic documents and files; activating printers; inserting and deleting text; formatting letters, reports, and memoranda; and transmitting and receiving e-mail. Uses the Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture (VistA) to access information in the VAMHCS computer system.

Physical Requirements:

The work is primary sedentary; however, the employee must be able to sit at a desk working at a Statement of Duties VHA-Internal Use Only Page 4 of 4 computer, engage in light to moderate physical activity including sitting, walking, bending, and carrying supplies.

Candace Anderson, CPRP | Physician Recruiter
candace.anderson@va.gov