Overview

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.

Responsibilities

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.

Qualifications

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.

Job ID 2024-154925

Department Academic Affairs

Site Hackensack University Med Cntr

Job Location US-NJ-Hackensack

Position Type Full Time with Benefits

Standard Hours Per Week 40

Shift Day

Shift Hours varies

Weekend Work Weekends as Needed

On Call Work No On-Call Required

Holiday Work As Needed