Institutional Specialist

This highly collaborative role serves as an institutional subject matter expert for Graduate Medical Education (GME) accreditation, compliance, and continuous process improvement. The position requires deep, working knowledge of Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) Institutional Requirements, Common Program Requirements, and related regulatory standards, with the ability to translate complex requirements into operationally effective policies, workflows, and tools.

The role exercises a high degree of initiative, independent judgment, and accountability in supporting the Sponsoring Institution’s accreditation status and institutional oversight responsibilities. The Institutional Specialist works closely with the Manager, Accreditation and Compliance, Program Directors, and Program Coordinators to strengthen systems, harmonize policies, improve processes, and ensure a positive and compliant learning environment for residents and fellows.

This position also serves as the Training Program Liaison (TPL) for visa-holding trainees, leads GMEC administration, acts as a New Innovations superuser, and plays a central role in the development, maintenance, and implementation of the House Staff Manual.

Essential Functions

Accreditation, Evaluation & Institutional Oversight

• Serves as an institutional expert on ACGME accreditation and compliance, with deep working knowledge of ACGME Institutional Requirements, Common Program Requirements, and specialty program standards.
• Maintains current knowledge of accreditation and regulatory requirements from the ACGME.
• Collaborates closely with the Manager, Accreditation and Compliance and GMEC Chair to support the Sponsoring Institution’s accreditation status and continuous compliance.
• Interprets and analyzes institutional, common, and specialty-specific requirements and advises leadership on compliance risks, improvement opportunities, and required actions.
• Develops and maintains institutional compliance systems, tracking tools, and dashboards to monitor outcomes and ensure ongoing accreditation readiness.

Trainee Evaluation & Graduation Documentation

• Provides institutional oversight and guidance for semi-annual, summative, and final evaluations, ensuring alignment with ACGME and institutional requirements.
• Guides programs on all ACGME-required documentation for graduating residents and fellows, including final evaluations, Milestones reporting, and verification of completion of training.
• Partners with Program Directors and Coordinators to establish standardized, reliable processes and timelines for evaluation completion, documentation accuracy, and record retention.
• Reviews evaluation data and documentation trends to identify compliance gaps, risk areas, and opportunities for institutional and program-level improvement.
• Advises programs on appropriate use of evaluation tools and documentation standards within New Innovations and other GME systems.

Program Coordinator Support, Partnership & Operations

• Works collaboratively with Program and Institutional Coordinators to assess, standardize, and improve GME workflows, documentation practices, and operational processes.
• Provides direct support to Institutional Coordinators, with a working and applied understanding of all Institutional Coordinator responsibilities.
• Serves as a functional backup and escalation resource to ensure continuity of operations and compliance during staffing transitions, vacancies, or increased workload.
• Acts as a trusted advisor and coach, providing guidance on accreditation expectations, documentation standards, institutional processes, and operational best practices.
• Supports onboarding and ongoing development of new Program and Institutional Coordinators.

Process Improvement & Standardization

• Analyzes institutional GME data longitudinally, including ACGME Resident/Fellow and Faculty Survey results, to monitor educational quality, identify trends, and provide early warning of potential non‑compliance with ACGME accreditation requirements.
• Synthesizes survey and institutional data to inform leadership, support GMEC oversight, guide targeted interventions, and drive continuous quality improvement.
• Leads institutional efforts to standardize processes related to evaluations, trainee completion documentation, accreditation tracking, and coordinator workflows.
• Designs and implements process improvement initiatives to reduce administrative burden, increase consistency across programs, and strengthen compliance infrastructure.
• Develops tools, templates, and guidance materials to support consistent and effective implementation of institutional requirements.
• Leads the ongoing update, harmonization, and maintenance of standards of work for the Institutional Compliance Team, ensuring workflows, documentation, and practices are aligned with Office of Medical Education practices.
• Evaluates existing standards of work for gaps or inefficiencies and implements updates to promote consistency, clarity of roles, and sustainable compliance across the GME enterprise.

Policy Development & Harmonization

• Supports the development, revision, and harmonization of GME institutional policies and procedures to ensure regulatory and accreditation alignment.
• Provides expert interpretation of institutional policies to residents, fellows, and program leadership.
• Plays a central role in the development, maintenance, and annual review of the House Staff Manual, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and alignment with accreditation standards.

Accreditation Documentation & Site Visit Readiness

• Oversees review of ACGME documentation for institutional and program accreditation, including ADS entries, correspondence, and supporting materials.
• Develops institutional systems and timelines for site visit preparation and supports programs in producing clear, accurate, and complete submissions.

Graduate Medical Education Committee (GMEC) Management

• Manages the administration and operations of GMEC, including meeting coordination, agenda development, documentation, action item tracking, and follow-up.
• Supports GMEC in fulfilling ACGME-mandated institutional oversight responsibilities, including review of policies, program evaluations, and significant program changes.
• Maintains GMEC records to ensure regulatory compliance and institutional transparency.

Training Program Liaison & Visa Oversight

• Serves as the institution’s designated Training Program Liaison (TPL) for visa-holding residents and fellows.
• Ensures institutional and trainee compliance with federal regulations governing the J‑1 Exchange Visitor Sponsorship Program.
• Manages the sponsorship, renewal, and documentation process and serves as liaison with ECFMG, legal counsel, and the resident and fellow upline.
• Provides guidance to programs and trainees on visa compliance requirements and institutional responsibilities.
• Provides institutional oversight for Non‑Standard Training (NST) pursuant to ACGME NST Recognition, supporting clinical training for foreign national physicians in advanced subspecialty areas for which no ACGME accreditation or ABMS member board certification exists.
• Oversees institutional eligibility, application, approval, tracking, and documentation of NST activities; ensures compliance with ACGME Institutional Requirements, ECFMG policies, and J‑1 Exchange Visitor regulations; advises program and institutional leadership on NST supervision, evaluation, duration, funding, and reporting requirements; and maintains institutional records in support of ACGME NST Recognition.

Systems, Innovation & Leadership

• Acts as a New Innovations superuser, serving as a resource for system configuration, reporting, optimization, and user support.
• Identifies opportunities to leverage technology and innovative practices to enhance accreditation tracking, evaluation management, and operational efficiency.
• Participates in continuous professional development, disseminates best practices and regulatory updates, and represents GME with professionalism and expertise when interacting with internal and external stakeholders.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Minimum of 3 years of Graduate Medical Education (GME) or equivalent experience

Preferred

• 5 or more years of progressive GME experience
• Demonstrated knowledge of ACGME accreditation requirements and GME operations
• Direct experience with ACGME institutional accreditation
• Experience serving as a Training Program Liaison (TPL) or managing J-1 visa processes
• Expertise with New Innovations or similar GME management systems
• Proven experience leading process improvement or system standardization initiatives

About Corewell Health

As a team member at Corewell Health, you will play an essential role in delivering personalized health care to our patients, members and our communities. We are committed to cultivating and investing in YOU. Our top-notch teams are comprised of collaborators, leaders and innovators that continue to build on one shared mission statement - to improve health, instill humanity and inspire hope. Join a nationally recognized health system with an ambitious vision of continued advancement and excellence.

How Corewell Health cares for you

• Comprehensive benefits package to meet your financial, health, and work/life balance goals. Learn more here.
• On-demand pay program powered by Payactiv
• Discounts directory with deals on the things that matter to you, like restaurants, phone plans, spas, and more!
• Optional identity theft protection, home and auto insurance
• Traditional and Roth retirement options with service contribution and match savings
• Eligibility for benefits is determined by employment type and status

Primary Location

SITE - Butterworth Hospital - 100 Michigan St NE - Grand Rapids

Department Name

GME Central - Grand Rapids Hosp

Employment Type

Full time

Shift

Day (United States of America)

Weekly Scheduled Hours

40

Hours of Work

8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Days Worked

Monday to Friday

Weekend Frequency

N/A

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Corewell Health is committed to providing a safe environment for our team members, patients, visitors, and community. We require a drug-free workplace and require team members to comply with the MMR, Varicella, Tdap, and Influenza vaccine requirement if in an on-site or hybrid workplace category. We are committed to supporting prospective team members who require reasonable accommodations to participate in the job application process, to perform the essential functions of a job, or to enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment due to a disability, pregnancy, or sincerely held religious belief.

Corewell Health grants equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, religion, genetic information, marital status, height, weight, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other legally protected category.

An interconnected, collaborative culture where all are encouraged to bring their whole selves to work, is vital to the health of our organization. As a health system, we advocate for equity as we care for our patients, our communities, and each other. From workshops that develop cultural intelligence, to our inclusion resource groups for people to find community and empowerment at work, we are dedicated to ongoing resources that advance our values of diversity, equity, and inclusion in all that we do. We invite those that share in our commitment to join our team.

You may request assistance in completing the application process by calling 616.486.7447.