About Geriatrics & Extended Care
Strategic Healthcare Group
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Geriatrics and Extended Care (G/EC) Strategic Healthcare Group (SHG) is to advance quality care for aging and chronically ill veterans in the most efficient manner. The G/EC SHG will provide policy direction for the development, coordination, and integration of geriatrics and long-term care clinical programs, and for the advancement of geriatrics and long-term care through research, education, and evaluation of new clinical models.
The G/EC SHG’s functional service lines are: Community-Based Long-Term Care, Nursing Home Care, Geriatric Care, and Residential Rehabilitation Care. While each service line represents groups of programs with common issues and similar customers, the shared purpose of all G/EC programs is to prevent or lessen the burden of disability on older, frail, chronically ill patients and their families/caregivers, and to maximize each patient’s functional independence. Because the course of chronic illness often is variable, the health care needs of the chronically ill patient also change, requiring the services of one, some, or all G/EC service lines over time. Thus, the cross-cutting functions of our SHG underscore our common purpose, and link the G/EC service lines to each other, and to the shared missions of other SHGs, including Rehabilitation, Primary Care, and Mental Health.
The G/EC SHG, through its four functional service lines, will actively support the Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs) in (1) developing strategic plans for G/EC programs and services, and by (2) analyzing demographic and clinical program data to inform practice and establish benchmarks, (3) developing clinical practice guidelines and standards for existing G/EC programs, (4) developing customer feedback standards for quality assurance for G/EC programs, and (5) promoting dissemination of new clinical models, emphasizing primary care, to improve quality and satisfaction in a cost effective manner.
The G/EC SHG will advise and consult with appropriate Headquarters elements on research and education activities related to G/EC, advise the Under Secretary for Health on matters related to aging and long-term care, and represent the organization to internal and external stakeholders.
FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT
Chief Consultant, Geriatrics & Extended Care Strategic Healthcare Group:
The Chief Consultant, Geriatrics and Extended Care (G/EC) Strategic Healthcare Group, is the principal advisor to the Under Secretary for Health and the overall Veterans Health Administration (VHA) on issues regarding quality care for aging and chronically ill veteran patients. The Chief Consultant recommends policy direction for the development, coordination, and integration of geriatrics and extended care in support of the VHA clinical mission. The incumbent will also promote excellence in geriatrics and long term care through geriatric research and education, and the evaluation of G/EC programs.
The Chief Consultant is responsible for the management of the G/EC Strategic Healthcare Group which supports the Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs) in population-based strategic planning, in providing integrated primary care for the frail elderly and chronically ill, and in implementing innovative models of care.
S/he will represent VA’s geriatrics and extended care programs and expertise to professional and academic organizations, other federal agencies, veterans’ service organizations and other stakeholders, to strengthen VA’s role as a leader and a partner in these communities.
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