VRC Site Reviewer Criteria and Application

Thank you for your interest in becoming a Verification, Review, and Consultation (VRC) site reviewer. Listed below is the required criterion for each reviewer role. Reviewer prospects are approved on an “as needed” basis.

Please note: We are now accepting reviewer applications for all reviewer types. Candidates from Pacific and Mountain time zones, from Level II & III centers, and from non-academic trauma centers are especially encouraged to apply.

If you are interested and meet all of the criteria below, please apply by Wednesday, April 30 and be prepared to submit your most updated curriculum vitae, the required letters of nomination and clinical appointment documentation (if applicable). Please address letters to Scott Sagraves, MD, FACS, VRC Chair.

Applicants will be vetted by the VRC leadership, staff, and/or respective specialty reviewers.

Letters of Nomination

All reviewer candidates must submit a letter of nomination from a current reviewer and a leader in their facility. The specifications of letters nominations for each reviewer type are listed below.

Trauma Surgeon Reviewer, Emergency Medicine Reviewer, Orthopedic Surgeon Reviewer and Neurosurgeon Reviewer

• One from a current VRC reviewer
• One from a chief of surgery or medical officer from your facility

Pediatric Trauma Surgeon Reviewer

• One from a current VRC reviewer
• One from a chief of pediatric surgery or chief medical officer of pediatrics, or equivalent, from your facility

Nurse Reviewer

• One from a current VRC reviewer
• One from the chief nursing officer, or equivalent, from your facility

Trauma Surgeon Reviewer

• Hold current board certification through the ABS, AOA, or RCPS-C in General Surgery
• Be a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) in good standing
• Have expertise in the areas of trauma care, trauma center operations, and trauma systems
• Hold a clinical appointment at an ACS-verified trauma center*
• Have been in the practice of trauma surgery for at least five years exclusive of fellowship training
• Hold or have held for at least three years, any of the following roles:
  • Trauma medical director (TMD)
  • Assistant/associate TMD
  • Trauma PI leader

• Have participated in or led a trauma program through at least two successful VRC site visits**
• Be proficient in commonly used software and able to quickly learn new software 

Pediatric Trauma Surgeon Reviewer

• Hold current board certification through the ABMS in Pediatric General Surgery

• Be a Fellow of the ACS in good standing
• Have expertise in the areas of pediatric trauma care, pediatric trauma center operations, and trauma systems

• Hold a clinical appointment at an ACS-verified trauma center*
• Have been in the practice of pediatric trauma care for at least five years exclusive of fellowship training*
• Hold or have held for at least three years, any of the following roles:
  • Pediatric trauma medical director (TMD)
  • Pediatric assistant/associate TMD
  • Trauma PI leader
• Have participated in or led a trauma program through at least two successful VRC site visits **
• Be proficient in commonly used software and able to quickly learn new software

Emergency Medicine Reviewer

• Hold current board certification through the ABMS, AOA, or RCPS-C in emergency medicine or pediatric emergency medicine

• Hold a clinical appointment at an ACS-verified trauma center*
• Have been in the practice of emergency medicine for no fewer than five years exclusive of training
• Be proficient in commonly used software and able to quickly learn new software

Orthopaedic Surgeon Reviewer

• Hold current board certification through the ABMS or AOBOS in Orthopaedic Surgery
• Be a Fellow of the ACS in good standing
• Hold a clinical appointment at an ACS-verified trauma center*
• Have been in the practice of orthopaedic trauma care for at least five years exclusive of fellowship training
• Be proficient in commonly used software and able to quickly learn new software

Neurosurgeon Reviewer

• Hold current board certification through the ABMS or AOBNS in Neurosurgery
• Be a Fellow of the ACS in good standing
• Hold a clinical appointment at an ACS-verified trauma center*
• Have been in the practice of neurotrauma care for at least five years exclusive of fellowship training
• Be proficient in commonly used software and able to quickly learn new software

Nurse Reviewer

• Must be a registered nurse with an active nursing license

• Hold a full time employment at an ACS-verified trauma center
• Have at least five years’ experience in bedside care of trauma patients
• Hold or have held for at least three years, any of the following roles:
• Trauma Program Manager
• Trauma Program Director
• Other leadership position in Trauma Services
• Have participated in or led their trauma program through at least two successful VRC site visits**
• Be proficient in commonly used software and able to quickly learn new software

*Clinical appointment at an ACS verified trauma center requires documentation from the chief of staff/credentialling committee (or human resources) attesting to the type of appointment held by the candidate.

** These visits could be at the applicant’s current or former trauma programs, or a combination of the two. A successful site visit is one that results in a one- or three-year verification.  As Consultative visits do not result in an outcome, they are not included.