II.A.1. There must be one faculty member appointed as program director with authority and accountability for the overall program, including compliance with all applicable program requirements. (Core)
II.A.1.a) The Sponsoring Institution's GMEC must approve a change in program director. (Core)
II.A.1.b) Final approval of the program director resides with the Review Committee. (Core)
While the ACGME recognizes the value of input from numerous individuals in the management of a residency, a single individual must be designed as program director and made responsible for the program. This individual will have dedicated time for the leadership of the residency, and it is this individual's responsibility to communicate with the residents, faculty members, DIO, GMEC, and the ACGME. The program director's nomination is reviewed and approved by the GMEC. Final approval of program directors resides with the Review Committee.
II.A.1.c) The program must demonstrate retention of the program director for a length of time adequate to maintain continuity of leadership and program stability. (Core)
The Review Committee may further specify.
The success of residency programs is generally enhanced by continuity in the program director position. The professional activities required of a program director are unique and complex and take time to master. All programs are encouraged to undertake succession planning to facilitate program stability when there is necessary turnover in the program director position.
II.A.2. At a minimum, the program director must be provided with the salary support required to devote 20 percent FTE (at least eight hours per week) of non-clinical time to the administration of the program. (Core)
The Review Committee may further specify regarding support for associate program director(s)]
II.A.3. Qualifications of the program director:
II.A.3.a) must include specialty expertise and at least three years of documented educational and/or administrative experience, or qualifications acceptable to the Review Committee; (Core)
II.A.3.b) must include current certification in the specialty for which they are the program director by the American Board of ___ or by the American Osteopathic Board of ____, or specialty qualifications that are acceptable to the Review Committee; (Core)
The Review Committee may further specify acceptable specialty qualifications or that only ABMS and AOA certification will be considered acceptable.
II.A.3.c) current medical licensure and appropriate medical staff appointment; and, (Core)
II.A.3.d) must include ongoing clinical activity. (Core)
The Review Committee may further specify additional program director qualifications.
II.A.4. Program Director Responsibilities
The program director must have responsibility, authority, and accountability for: administration and operations; teaching and scholarly activity; resident recruitment and selection, evaluation, and promotion of residents, and disciplinary action; supervision of residents; and resident education in the context of patient care. (Core)
II.A.4.a) The program director must:
II.A.4.a).(1) be a role model of professionalism; (Core)
II.A.4.a).(2) design and conduct the program in a fashion consistent with the needs of the community, the mission(s) of the Sponsoring Institution, and the mission(s) of the program; (Core)
II.A.4.a).(3) administer and maintain a learning environment conducive to educating the residents in each of the ACGME Competency domains; (Core)
II.A.4.a).(4) develop and oversee a process to evaluate candidates prior to approval as program faculty members for participation in the residency program education and at least annually thereafter, as outlined in V.B.; (Core)
II.A.4.a).(5) have the authority to approve program faculty members for participation in the residency program education at all sites; (Core)
II.A.4.a).(6) have the authority to remove program faculty members from participation in the residency program education at all sites; (Core)
II.A.4.a).(7) have the authority to remove residents from supervising interactions and/or learning environments that do not meet the standards of the program; (Core)
II.A.4.a).(8) submit accurate and complete information required and requested by the DIO, GMEC, and ACGME; (Core)
II.A.4.a).(9) provide applicants who are offered an interview with information related to the applicant's eligibility for the relevant specialty board examination(s); (Core)
II.A.4.a).(10) provide a learning and working environment in which residents have the opportunity to raise concerns and provide feedback in a confidential manner as appropriate, without fear of intimidation or retaliation; (Core)
II.A.4.a).(11) ensure the program's compliance with the Sponsoring Institution's policies and procedures related to grievances and due process; (Core)
II.A.4.a).(12) ensure the program's compliance with the Sponsoring Institution's policies and procedures for due process when action is taken to suspend or dismiss, not to promote, or not to renew the appointment of a resident; (Core)
II.A.4.a).(13) ensure the program's compliance with the Sponsoring Institution's policies and procedures on employment and non-discrimination; (Core)
II.A.4.a).(13).(a) Residents must not be required to sign a non-competition guarantee or restrictive covenant. (Core)
II.A.4.a).(14) document verification of program completion for all graduating residents within 30 days; (Core)
II.A.4.a).(15) provide verification of an individual resident's completion upon the resident's request, within 30 days; and, (Core)
II.A.4.a).(16) obtain review and approval of the Sponsoring Institution's DIO before submitting information or requests to the ACGME, as required in the Institutional Requirements and outlined in the ACGME Program Director's Guide to the Common Program Requirements.