TEMP Position - Physician Assistant (DRHA)

Goldbelt Glacier is accelerating healthcare delivery and providing superior force health readiness across the military, federal, and civilian landscapes. Goldbelt Glacier is committed to providing transformative and comprehensive health operational capabilities to support customers across scientific, clinical, technological, and program management areas.

Goldbelt Glacier is looking for a Physician Assistant (DRHA). As a HealthCare Worker (HCW), you will be assigned to either a Military Treatment Facility (MTF) or other Federal medical treatment facilities in Yokosuka, Japan. 

• Provide evidenced-based educational lectures and participate in in-service training to staff members.  
• Diagnose and treat patients with common acute conditions, chronic illnesses, or minor trauma within accepted protocols, clinical practice guidelines, Physician Assistant Acts, and/or in consultation with a physician.  

• Promote preventive care and health maintenance including annual physicals, positive health behaviors and self-care through both formal and individual education and counseling.  
• Communicate and collaborate with a diverse group of people for the purpose of informing the healthcare team of plans/actions, for teaching/education to benefit the patient/family and organization.  
• Recognize conditions that require isolation and ensure universal precautions are used in all patient encounters.  
• Attend staff meetings to provide case discussion, continuing education, and continuous quality improvement and safety.  
• Maintain a level of productivity comparable with that of other individuals performing similar services.  
• Comply with the standards of The Joint Commission, applicable provisions of law, and the rules and regulations of any and all governmental authorities pertaining to licensure and regulation of health care personnel and medical treatment facilities, the regulations, and standards of medical practice and the MTF’s medical staff bylaws. Adhere to and comply with the Department of the Navy, and local instructions and notices in effect during the term of the contract. 
• Participate in peer review and performance improvement activities.  
• The HCW shall comply with the HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) privacy and security policies of the treatment facility. Providers shall obtain/maintain a National Provider Identifier (NPI) in accordance with DOD and MTF policy/instruction, as applicable.
• Coordinate appropriate aspects of the program with the base Installation Deployment Officer (IDO), Unit Deployment Managers (UDMs), Unit Health Monitors (UHMs), Occupational Shop Supervisors, Public Health, commanders, Chief of Medical Staff (SGH), Chief of Aerospace Medicine (SGP) and medical clinic personnel.
• Perform deployment related health assessment and annual mental health assessmentservices that comply with applicable Department of Defense and Air Force policy and guidance, to include required standards of care and clinical practice guidelines.
• Ensure all personnel deploying to a location which requires a DRHA complete the DRHA questionnaire, and receive a person-to-person interview, or arrange with a privileged provider within 30 days of submission by member. All personnel redeploying from these locations must receive a person- to-person interview in accordance with the following timeframes:
  • For CRITICAL findings, contact the patient to determine if urgent care or immediate intervention is required, within 1 duty day. Ensure a face-to-face provider interview occurs within 3 duty days.
  • For PRIORITY findings, ensure a face-to-face provider interview occurs within 7 calendar days.
  • For ROUTINE findings, ensure a face-to-face provider interview occurs within 30 calendar days.
  • Ensure accurate knowledge of referral system and limitations on island.
  • Ensure all personnel deploying receive appropriate Force Health Protection Prescriptive Products (FHPPP) per AFI 44-102, Medical Care Management to include:
    • Prescribing anti-malarial prophylaxis IAW Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Medical Intelligence (NCMI) and location specific reporting instructions (RIs).
    • Prescribing chemical warfare antidotes including but not limited to ATNAA (atropine and pralidoxime chloride) and Diazepam autoinjectors, pyridostigmine bromide.
    • Prescribing biological warfare antibiotics IAW CDC, NCMI and location specificRIs.
    • Providing clinical guidance for members with potential counter-indications to FHPPP vaccinations including but not limited to smallpox and anthrax.

• Consulting with the SGH and SGP regarding members requiring medical waivers.
• Consult with Yokota Air Base UDMs to ensure deploying and redeployed Service members are notified of eligibility for DRHA completion in a timely manner and to assist with maintaining satisfactory completion rates.
• Conduct DHAs IAW the Deployment Health Assessments Program Guide, 15 November 2014 or most current guidance.
• Document clinical encounters in patients’ electronic medical records using appropriate codes for DRHAs, and other deployment-related-condition encounters. The contract provider shall prepare all documentation to meet or exceed established standards of the MTF to include but not limited to timeliness, legibility, accuracy, content, and signature.
• Provide patient referrals for specialty care and ensure follow-up. Document referrals on DRHA questionnaire and in patients’ electronic medical records. The contract provider shall follow Federal, DoD, Air Force, Medical Treatment Facility (MTF), and clinic regulations and policies when arranging for a referral or consult. The contract provider shall inform patient of the required referral or consult by indicating the specialty involved. The contract provider shall not recommend to the patient that he/she consult a specific practitioner or use a specific practice.
• As appropriate, report DRHA compliance metrics and program initiatives to installation leadership, such as Population Health Working Group, Aerospace Medicine Council, Yokota Team Staff Meeting, etc.
• Ensure the Yokota Air Base DRHA program is administered in accordance with currentDoD and USAF policy regarding deployment health.
• Remain knowledgeable in DoD/Veterans Affairs (VA) Post-Deployment Health Clinical Practice Guideline (PDH-CPG) found at http://www.pdhealth.mil/education/presentations.asp#ett
• Ensure health care providers conducting DRHAs receive DoD/VA PDH-CPG training, and other appropriate deployment-healthcare education, and are sufficiently trained and certified to perform mental health assessments.
• Treat patients with common acute conditions, illnesses, or minor trauma within accepted protocols, in collaboration with a physician.
• Collaborate with the physician in the health care of patients with chronicillnesses.
• Request consultation or referral with appropriate physicians, clinics, or other health resources as indicated.
• Order diagnostic tests asapplicable.
• Prescribe and dispense medications as delineated by the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee.
• Promote and perform preventive and health maintenance care, including non-fly annual physicals, positivehealth behaviors, Occupational Health Examination and self-care skills through education and counseling.
  • Conduct non-fly physician Examinations and Occupational Health Examinations IAW AFI 44-170 and 48- 145.
• Coordinates patient care through a continuum and facilitates the achievement of optimal outcomes in relation to care, quality and cost effectiveness.
• Ensures compliance with standards of care and practice in accordance with all established policies, procedures, and guidelines used in the medical treatment facility. Provides care within ethical and legal boundaries.
• Assesses patients
  • Ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with a diverse group of people for the purpose of informing the healthcare team of plans/actions, for teaching/education to benefit the patient/family and organization.Effectively uses appropriate communication format in addressing professional issues.
  • Excellent written communication skills to perform accurate documentation, both writtenand electronic, of all activity in accordance with requirements.
  • Ability to recognize adverse signs and symptoms and react quickly in emergency situations.
  • Completes orientation and competency verification programs in accordance with (IAW) unit guidelines.
  • Participates in the orientation of newly assigned personnel, as appropriate.
  • Serves and participates in committees, functions and other meetings as directed. Provides relevant and timely information to these groups and assists with decision-making and process improvement. Participates in customerservice initiatives, and medical readiness activities, designed to enhance health services.
  • Ensures a safe work environment, employee safe work habits and patient safety IAW regulatory agencies, infection control policies, and process improvement initiatives.

• Have a Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree from a PA educational program accredited by U.S. Accreditation Review Commission for the Physician Assistant.
• Must hold current certification from the U.S. National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). Maintenance of required Certification is mandatory. Candidates shall have experience with evaluation and treatment of mental health disorders to include Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, have at least 24 months of experience as a Physician Assistant within the last 36 months and have previous experience working as a PA with patients with history of combat-related stressors patients.

• Current, full, active, and unrestricted license as a Physician Assistant. 
• Each HCW shall possess and maintain current certification in either the American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Providers or American Heart Association Healthcare Provider Course. HCWs who do not hold current certification must acquire certification prior to initiating contract performance. Web based classes do not meet these standards. Other certification may be acceptable as specified in the task order. Certification card must display the American Heart Association or MTN emblem. The contractor shall provide a list to the COR of each HCW’s BLS status by the 10th of each month 
• Shall be current with and have completed all continuing education requirements specified by their professional licensure or certification  
• Must demonstrate clinical competency within the past two years in the clinical discipline required  
• Shall be in good standing and under no sanction or suspension by the Federal Government  

• All HCWs will be required to access DHA information technology networks/systems containing sensitive information. Only HCWs who are U.S. citizens can be granted access to DHA networks/systems and sensitive information  
• HCWs shall represent an acceptable malpractice risk to the government  
• HCWs shall be in good standing, and under no restrictions, with the state licensure board in any state in which a license is held or has been held within the last 10 years  
• HCWs shall be current with and have completed all continuing education requirements specified by their professional licensure or certification  
• Ability to pass all background/suitability checks. 

• A thorough understanding of the military lifestyle and experience working with military family members. 
• Working knowledge of relevant military, state, federal, and local laws, and resources. 
• Highly developed written, oral, and presentation communication skills.
• An active security clearance is preferred.

• Ability to read, write, speak, and understand the English language fluently and maintain good communication skills with patients and other health care personnel.  

• Shall be physically capable of standing and/or sitting for extended periods of time and capable of performing all services required under the task order.  
• Organization, written communication, and oral communication skills 
• Demonstrated ability to work well with and manage members of the health care team. 
• Excellent interpersonal skills including internal and external customers and group settings. 
• Function with an awareness and application of safety procedures.

• Apply an awareness of legal issues in all aspects of patient care and strive to manage situations in a reduced risk manner. 
• Exercise awareness and sensitivity to patient/significant others' rights, as identified within the MTF. 
• Maintain an awareness of responsibility and accountability for own professional practice. 
• Exercise appropriate delegation of tasks and duties in the direction and coordination of health care team members, patient care, and clinic activities.
• Able to read, write, speak, and maintain good communication skills with patients and other health care personnel. 

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office software applications including Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and Outlook.