Dir, Asst Chief Acad Officer - Hackensack Meridian Health

The Regional Academic Officer (ACAO)  is an educational administrator, responsible for regional oversight and monitoring of all clinical UME and GME programs (ACGME-accredited and non-accredited) within the HMH Region.  Under the direction of the Hackensack Meridian Health Designated Institutional Official (DIO) and Chief Academic Officer, the ACAO: leads the implementation of the education priority of the HMH academic strategic plan; is responsible for ensuring that all residency and fellowship programs, as well as regional site(s), maintain compliance with ACGME and Medical Board of New Jersey requirements; and that regional site(s) provide optimal education and training of resident/fellow physicians.  The ACAO will be an integral liaison with internal departments, including the Chief Medical Officer(s), and with external clinical and educational institutions.  

Knowledge, Education and Skills Required:

1. MD, DO, or Bachelor’s degree and/or minimum of ten year’s experience working in healthcare, education, corporate office or related environment.
2. At least three years as a leader in graduate medical education (i.e., successfully holding a position as a GME program director or Associate Director or Director of Medical Education.)
3. Experience in growing and developing system wide GME initiatives.
4. A well-developed skill set related to leadership, management, communication, collegiality, teamwork, change agency and cultural sensitivity is necessary.
5. An exemplary record in the following areas: understanding educational theory and learning principles, especially as they relate to GME and health professions education; knowledge of the health care industry and health care systems; experience with accreditation and regulatory requirements; understanding of human resources and legal issues related to residents and clinical fellows; business skill and acumen; a track record demonstrating innovation in educational programming, faculty development, and improvement science; and experience with fostering healthy and safe clinical learning environments.

In conjunction with the Hackensack Meridian Health Chief Academic Officer: 

1. Compliance with Regulatory Requirements - Ensure that accredited programs comply with ACGME requirements.  This involves: (1) reviewing online entry of each residency and fellowship annual program data; (2) reviewing annual ACGME surveys and Program Evaluation Committee Reports to identify programs requiring special review; (3) organizing special reviews of programs as needed; (4) developing and reviewing GME policies; (5) investigating and responding to complaints to the ACGME; (6) ensuring timely response to ACGME for requested progress reports and other information; (7) reviewing program submissions to ACGME (e.g., self-studies); (8) helping programs to prepare for site visits; (9) providing annual institutional reviews to hospital medical boards; (10) maintaining required Affiliation Agreements and Program Letters of Agreement; and (11) tracking annual reviews and annual program evaluation reports.
2. Work with institutional training sites.  This involves: (1) engaging in dialogue regarding resident and fellow numbers and salary; (2) working with hospital leadership regarding disciplinary and professionalism issues; (3) working with the Hospital Quality and Safety Office regarding the ACGME Clinical Learning Environment Review (CLER) priorities; (4) organizing and preparing for CLER site visits every 18 months; and (5) interfacing with the Medical Staff Office regarding GME policies and credentialing.
3. Carrying out HMH and GME policies.  This involves: (1) ensuring distribution and availability of GME policies to all interested parties, including program directors, residents, and fellows; (2) developing and/or revising policies in response to concerns brought by program directors, residents and fellows, as well as program coordinators; (3) reviewing and approving moonlighting and extracurricular activity forms; (4) reviewing and approving applications for external rotations; and (5) reviewing, approving, and ensuring required affiliation agreements and program letters of agreement.
4. Residency and Fellowship Program Director Development - Work with residency and fellowship program directors.  This involves: (1) assisting new program directors, including answering questions about ACGME regulations and policies; (2) answering questions about HMH regulations and policies; (3) advising program directors with struggling programs; (4) advising program directors with struggling trainees; (5) communicating with program directors regarding ACGME updates, announcements, and other information; and (6) facilitating interaction among training program coordinators and administrators. 
5. Administrative Responsibilities and Financial Oversight - Maintain budgetary oversight of all GME operations.  This involves: (1) overseeing residency and fellowship position funding allocations; (2) negotiating resident and fellow funding from affiliated sites and providing this information to training programs in a timely manner; (3) providing guidance to residency and fellowship programs regarding funding; (4) advising programs with regards to educational grants and alternative funding sources; (5) responsible for processing faculty agreements stipend payments.
6. Partnership with Academic Affairs Administrative Staff - This involves: (1) assuring smooth operations of office staff and program coordinators; (2) conducting regular meetings and mentoring of staff; (3) contributing to annual performance reports on staff.