Health Professions Trainees and TQCVL Guidance

Office of Education — Health Professions Trainees
The Office of Education at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System oversees the coordination, administration, and support of health professions training programs across the medical center. As one of the nation's leading academic medical centers affiliated with Stanford University and other institutions, the VA Palo Alto is committed to training the next generation of healthcare professionals in service to Veterans.

The Office of Education is responsible for:
Program Administration & Oversight
Managing affiliation agreements with academic institutions and ensuring compliance with VA, accreditation, and institutional policies governing trainee appointments. This includes onboarding, credentialing, and maintaining accurate records for all health professions trainees rotating through the facility.

Trainee Support
Serving as a primary point of contact for health professions trainees — including medical students, residents, fellows, nursing students, psychology interns, social work interns, pharmacy students, and other allied health trainees — to ensure they have the resources, workspace, and administrative support needed to succeed in their training experience.

Compliance & Policy
Ensuring that all trainees meet VA eligibility requirements, complete mandatory training, and adhere to applicable federal, facility, and program-specific policies prior to and throughout their appointment.

Coordination with Academic Affiliates
Collaborating with affiliated universities and training programs to facilitate smooth rotations, address issues that arise during training, and maintain strong institutional partnerships that benefit both trainees and Veteran patients.

Educational Program Development
Supporting the growth and quality of health professions education at the facility by working with clinical and academic leadership to evaluate training needs, expand program offerings, and promote an environment of lifelong learning.

To submit a TQCVL, log in to your Docusign account and complete the VHA PAL DEO and Academic Affiliate form. You will also need to attach your HPT list, which can be found below. Your HPT list must be completed using the provided template — submissions that do not use this template will not be accepted and will be returned.