Medical Informatics Physician Job with Veterans Health Administration in Marion, IL

We are seeking a Chief Health Informatics Officer (CHIO) that will split time between the Marion VA Health Care System and the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center, focusing on improving healthcare delivery through effective use of information and knowledge. Requiring an MD or DO, the CHIO will refine clinical processes, develop decision support systems, and oversee clinical information systems while performing key informatics functions such as system optimization, and data/change management.

The John J. Pershing VA Medical Center is in the active and thriving community of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, the "Gateway to the Ozarks." Poplar Bluff has a population of 17,000, and cost of living in the area is among the lowest in the country. We are within a two-hour drive of several large cities and have a small airport. The area is quite scenic and outdoor recreational opportunities abound in nearby national and state parks and forests.

Marion, Illinois is conveniently located at the intersection of Interstate 57 and State Route 13 in beautiful Southern Illinois. Visitors and residents have a wide variety of activities and events to choose from including the theater, sporting events, wineries, golf courses, lakes, and nature trails. With a metropolitan area population of over 17,000 people, Marion is one of the largest, fastest growing cities in Southern Illinois.

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.

Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): A Recruitment Incentive may be available to highly qualified applicants.

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 Chief Health Information Officer (CHIO) position offers flexibility in work location, with options for onsite, telework, or virtual arrangements. Candidates within 150 miles of the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, or the Marion VA Health Care System in Marion, Illinois, are preferred to support periodic onsite presence, typically no less than one week per quarter at each location during the first year. Compensation will be based on market conditions of the employee's physical work location. Additionally, the CHIO will dedicate approximately 5% of their time to direct patient care, with the specific type and modality determined collaboratively based on the selected candidate's credentials and location. This role requires a balance of leadership, clinical expertise, and adaptability to drive health informatics initiatives and improve Veteran care. The CHIO serves as the primary advisor on clinical informatics and health IT for leadership, acting as a change agent with a deep understanding of healthcare needs and organizational structures.

The CHIO's key duties include but are not limited to:

• Patient Care - optimizing EHR systems and decision-support tools to improve patient safety and care quality while providing limited direct patient care.
• Technology and Informatics - evaluating and improving clinical systems, advancing technology integration, and supporting end-user needs.
• Data Warehouse - managing data architecture and leveraging analytics to guide strategic decisions.
• Collaboration - coordinating informatics efforts across teams, committees, and stakeholders.
• Policy Development - ensuring compliance with local, VISN, and national informatics policies.
• Education - leading training initiatives to enhance EHR usage and compliance with standards.
• Leadership - supervising informatics staff, managing performance, and driving organizational improvements.
  
  

The CHIO combines clinical expertise, technological insight, and leadership to enhance healthcare delivery and outcomes.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• ANNUAL SALARY: $250K - $300K (negotiable) annual performance bonus up to additional $15K full benefits below
• WORK SCHEDULE: 1st Shift - 8am - 4:30pm
• SIGN-ON BONUS AVAILABLE! A recruitment incentive may be offered to highly qualified candidates
• LICENSURE: 1 Full and unrestricted license from any US State is permissible to work at this facility
• CME: $1,000 per year stipend for reimbursement 1 week paid authorized absence to attend (subject to budget availability)
• MALPRACTICE: Liability protection with tail coverage provided
  
  

The VA also offers a robust benefits plan that includes:

Paid time off, including:

• 208 hours (5.2 weeks) paid annual leave - accrual starting on your first day
• 104 hours (2.6 weeks) paid sick leave - accrual starting on your first day (no limit on accrual)
• 11 paid federal holidays
  
  

Insurance:

• Health Insurance: VA employees have an outstanding number of health insurance plans from which to choose (premiums are partially paid by VA)
• Dental & Vision: Our insurance options also include exceptional vision and dental plans (premiums are partially paid by VA)
• VA employees have the option to use
• Flexible Spending Accounts, which allow you to use tax-free dollars to pay for medical, dental, and vision care expenses that are not reimbursed by your health insurance plan
• Term life insurance, family, and additional coverage options are available with the cost shared by the Federal Government.
• Long-term care insurance is available as an option
  
  

Federal Retirement Plan:

• VA employees are covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). FERS is a three-tiered retirement plan composed of 1) Social Security benefits; 2) FERS-FRAE basic benefits (pension); and 3) Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) which is a 401K-type plan
• How is the pension funded? VA employees automatically contribute 4.4% of their salary each pay period and the VA contributes 8.3% of the employee’s salary each pay period for a total annual contribution percentage equal to 12.7% of the employee’s salary
• Similar to the 401(k) savings plans widely available in the private sector, the TSP allows employees to tax defer a portion of their income each year, subject to the requirements of the Internal Revenue Service. For calendar year 2015, employees under the age of 50 may contribute up to $18,000, while those over age 50 are eligible to make catch-up contributions that allow them to defer up to $24,000.
• The Federal Government also provides an automatic basic contribution (1% of salary) and up to 4% of salary in matching contributions, depending on the amount of the employee contribution
• For retired military personnel, these benefits are in addition to full monthly retirement pay or pension
• In addition to FERS, VA provides health care insurance coverage for retired personnel
• Disability Retirement
• Employees are vested in a federal pension after only 5 years’ service