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)

Background and Intent

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.

Background and Intent

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)

Background and Intent

Leading a program requires knowledge and skills that are established during residency and subsequently further developed. The time period from completion of residency until assuming the role of program director allows the individual to cultivate leadership abilities while becoming professionally established. The three-year period is intended for the individual's professional maturation.

The broad allowance for educational and/or administrative experience recognizes that strong leaders arise through diverse pathways. These areas of expertise are important when identifying and appointing a program director. The choice of a program director should be informed by the mission of the program and the needs of the community.

In certain circumstances, the program and Sponsoring Institution may propose and the Review Committee may accept a candidate for program director who fulfills these goals but does not meet the three-year minimum.

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.

Background and Intent

A program director is a role model for faculty members and residents. The program director must participate in clinical activity consistent with the specialty. This activity will allow the program director to role model the Core Competencies for the faculty member and residents.

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)

Background and Intent

The program director, as the leader of the program, must serve as a role model to residents in addition to fulfilling the technical aspects of the role. As residents are expected to demonstrate compassion, integrity, and respect for others, they must be able to look to the program director as an exemplar. It is of utmost importance, therefore, that the program director model outstanding professionalism, high quality patient care, educational excellence, and a scholarly approach to work. The program director creates an environment where respectful discussion is welcome, with the goal of continued improvement of the educational experience.

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)

Background and Intent

The mission of institutions participating in graduate medical education is to improve the health of the public. Each community has health needs that vary based upon location and demographics. Programs must understand the social determinants of health of the populations they serve and incorporate them in the design and implementation of the program curriculum, with the ultimate goal of addressing these needs and health disparities.

II.A.4.a).(3) administer and maintain a learning environment conducive to educating the residents in each of the ACGME Competency domains; (Core)

Background and Intent

The program director may establish a leadership team to assist in the accomplishment of program goals. Residency programs can be highly complex. In a complex organization, the leader typically has the ability to delegate authority to others, yet remains accountable. The leadership team may include physician and non-physician personnel with varying levels of education, training, and experience.

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)

Background and Intent

The program director has the responsibility to ensure that all who educate residents effectively role model the Core Competencies. Working with a resident is a privilege that is earned through effective teaching and professional role modeling. This privilege may be removed by the program director when the standards of the clinical learning environment are not met.

There may be faculty in a department who are not part of the educational program, and the program director controls who is teaching the residents.

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)

Background and Intent

A program does not operate independently of its Sponsoring Institution. It is expected that the program director will be aware of the Sponsoring Institution's policies and procedures, and will ensure that they are followed by the program's leadership, faculty members, support personnel, and residents.

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)

Background and Intent

Primary verification of graduate medical education is important to credentialing of physicians for further training and practice. Such verification must be accurate and timely. Sponsoring Institution and program policies for record retention are important to facilitate timely documentation of residents who have previously completed the program. Residents who leave the program prior to completion also require timely documentation of their summative evaluation.

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.

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