Nurse Practitioner - DHRA/MHA/NF-PHA

Overview

Accelerating the delivery of care and providing superior force health readiness across the Military, Federal, and Civilian landscapes. Taku is committed to providing transformative and comprehensive health operational capabilities to support customers across scientific, clinical, technological, and program management areas. 

 

Summary:

As a part of the Goldbelt Taku Team, you will be providing medical services for active-duty military personnel, their dependents, eligible DoD civilian employees, and other eligible beneficiaries designated by the Government. As a HealthCare Worker (HCW), you will be assigned to either a Military Treatment Facility (MTF) or other Federal medical treatment facilities in Japan. This position is a temporary full-time position.

 

We welcome applications from all qualified candidates; however, individuals currently residing in Japan will receive priority consideration.

Responsibilities

Essential Job Functions:

• Monitor and facilitate processing of DRHA/MHA/NF-PHA and ensure members are assessed within the prescribed timeframe.
• DRHA 1: DRHA #1 - Within 120 days before the estimated date of deployment (i.e., date departing home station for deployment or first movement). Face-to-face visit.
• DRHA 2: within 30 days prior to departure from theater or within 30 days upon return to home station or IAW with current policy. Face-to-face visit.
• DRHA 3: between 90-180 days after return from deployment or IAW with current policy. Person-to-person visit.
• DRHA 4: between 181-545 days after return from deployment or IAW with current policy. Whenever possible, DRHA 4 and 5 will be completed with the annual Periodic Health Assessment (PHA). Person-to-person visit.
• DRHA 5: between 546-910 days after return from deployment or IAW with current policy. Whenever possible, DRHA 5 will be completed with the annual PHA. Person-to-person visit.
• Ensure deployer’s Individual Medical Readiness (IMR) is current.
• DRHAs rely heavily on the delivery of multiple levels of education to multiple audiences in the process, including deployers, leaders, and clinicians and the contractor may be needed to brief in these particular forums. Educating patients about their individual deployment-related health concerns is critical. The contractor must attend meetings and be able to brief statistics monthly to public health flight leadership.
• The contractor will review the medical records and/or deployment questionnaires of each deployer pre- and post-deployment to ensure they are worldwide qualified and meet all medical requirements.
• The contractor must have a working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and become proficient in all Electronic Health Records (EHR) and ASIMS.
• ANNUAL MENTAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT & NON-FLY PERIODIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT: DoDI 6490.03 and AFI 48-122 mandates that all active-duty members and selected reserve service members receive an annual telephone consult or person-to-person MHA/NF-PHA appointment, if warranted with a provider. The MHA will be aligned with non-flyer service members’ PHA DD Form 3024, Annual Periodic Health Assessment. The annual mental health assessments & periodic health assessments will be conducted IAW with the tri-service PHA guide, policies, and DoDI. All annual mental health assessments will be completed using ASIMS and documented in the Electronic Health Record.
• All patients selected for a person-to-person MHA/NF-PHA appointment must be seen within 15 minutes of scheduled arrival time either by face-to-face or telephone consult.
• Contact patients for clinic appointments. Relay general appointment instructions to patients.
• Maintain knowledge of content and intent of DoD and USAF policies in the Base Operational Medicine Clinic website regarding deployment health and MHAs.
• Ensure the Kadena Air Base DRHA/MHA/NF-PHA program is administered in accordance with current DoD, DHA, and USAF policy regarding deployment health and PHA as described in paragraph 1.2.7.3 URL. If the contractor is not able to access the website, copies of documents can be provided upon request.
• Ensure accurate knowledge of referral system and limitations on island.
• Remain knowledgeable in DoD/Veterans Affairs (VA) The Management of Chronic Multi-symptom Illness (CMI) found at https://healthquality.va.gov/guidelines/MR/cmi
• Remain updated on DRHA/MHA/NF-PHA guidance provided by DoD and USAF listed on https://hpws.afrl.af.mil/DHP/HP/AFMHSC/index.cfm
• Remain knowledgeable and updated on the specific reporting instructions for the different regions within INDOPACOM to review and medically clear military members for deployments and TDY taskings.
• Ensure healthcare contractors conducting DRHA/MHA/NF-PHA receive, DoD/VA PDH-CPG training IAW with AFI 48-122, Deployment Health and any other appropriate mental health education, and are sufficiently trained and certified to perform mental health assessments. Additionally, the contractor shall preform peer reviews IAW MDGI 44-119, Peer Review and DHA-PM 6025.13, Vol 4, Peer Review Process of Clinical Performance: FPPE and OPPE.
• Ensure all personnel deploying to a location that requires a DRHA, complete the DRHA questionnaire and receive a person-to-person interview or is arranged with a privileged contractor in the required timelines. *NOTE: Kadena is a very high ops tempo location and therefore last minutes deployments and TDYs often occur. In the instance of a short notice tasking that occurs during the duty day (0730-1630) it is expected that the DRHA/MHA/NF-PHA team will complete all requirements within the duty day and future schedule is adjusted to ensure contractor fulfills 40 hour work week. All personnel redeploying from these locations must receive a person-to-person interview in accordance with the timeframes listed in paragraphs and the following:
• For CRITICAL findings, contact the patient to determine if urgent care or immediate intervention is required, within 1 duty day. Ensure a person-to-person provider interview occurs within 3 duty days.
• For PRIORITY findings, ensure a person-to-person provider interview occurs within 7 calendar days.
• For ROUTINE findings, ensure a person-to-person provider interview occurs within 30 calendar days.
• 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), TRAVAX and location specific reporting instructions.
• Prescribing chemical warfare antidotes including but not limited to ATNAA (atropine and pralidoxime chloride) and Diazepam auto injectors, pyridostigmine bromide.
• Prescribing biological warfare antibiotics IAW Air Force Reporting Instructions Tool (AFRIT) and NCMI and the most current location specific Reporting Instructions (RIs).
• Providing clinical guidance for members with potential contraindications to Force Health Protection Prescription Products vaccinations including but not limited to smallpox and anthrax.
• Consult with the Public Health Flight Commander, SGH, and SGP regarding members requiring medical waivers.
• The contractor will identify the need for a Medical Alert Identification Tag for deployers identified with specific medical conditions.
• The contractor may assist in any deployment-related task to include, but not limited to managing waivers or IMR requirements for the deployer.
• Coordinates with the designated Mental Health Provider Consultant/SGH on mental health or adverse health trends identified by DRHA/annual MHA data analysis to the Population Health Working Group and the Community Action Information Board/Integrated Delivery System.
• Provide Life Support certification. Also attend any other training that is inherent to the 18 MDG at the 18 MDG’s expense.
• Interview and assess patients regarding pre/post deployment health concerns and appropriately document all interviews and assessments.
• The MDG will familiarize the contractor with the AFMS guidelines and remain knowledgeable in the stressors and health threats common to deploying personnel. Maintain proficiency in implementation of interventions or programs or knowledge of such programs to make appointment referrals that may mitigate such threats or adequately treat deployment-related health conditions.
• Consult with Kadena Air Base UDMs to ensure deploying and redeployed Service members are notified of eligibility for DRHA/MHA completion in a timely manner and to assist with maintaining satisfactory completion rates.
• Conduct DRHAs IAW the Deployment Health Assessments Program Guide, per most current guidance.
• Document clinical encounters in patients’ electronic medical records using appropriate codes for DRHA/MHA/NF-PHAs, and other deployment-related-condition encounters. The contractor shall prepare all documentation to meet or exceed established standards of the MDG 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/MHA/NF-PHA questionnaire and in patients’ electronic medical records. The contractor shall follow Federal, DoD, Air Force, Military Treatment Facility (MTF), and clinic regulations and policies when arranging for a referral or consult. The contractor shall inform patient of the required referral or consult by indicating the specialty involved. The contractor shall not recommend to the patient that he/she consult a specific practitioner or use a specific practice.
• Report DRHA/MHA/NF-PHA and applicable IMR compliance metrics and any program shortfalls to installation leadership.
• The MDG will familiarize the contractor with all applicable IMR elements in ASIMS.
• Monitor the DRHA/MHA/NF-PHA open list at least daily.

Qualifications

Necessary Skills and Knowledge:

• Maintain a level of productivity comparable with that of other individuals performing similar services.
• Practice aseptic techniques as necessary; comply with infection control guidelines to include the proper handling, storage, and disposal of infectious wastes, and the use of universal precautions to prevent the spread of infection.
  
• 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.
  
• Maintain DoD email account as directed by government supervisor.
  
• Exercise appropriate delegation of tasks and duties in the direction and coordination of health care team members, patient care, and clinic activities.
  
• Each HCW providing service under this contract or resultant task orders shall undergo an orientation and shall complete mandatory Navy and DoD on-line training as required.
  
• Be able to comply with all applicable Federal, State, and local laws, Department of Defense, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, and MTF instructions and policies.
  
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office software applications including Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Minimum Qualifications:

• English Language Requirement. The contractor shall read, understand, speak, and write English clearly and fluently.
• Prior work experience with PTSD, TBI, combat-related stressors, etc. The contractor shall have knowledge and understanding of the military environment including but not limited to rank structure and customs/courtesies.
• Licensure/Certification. In accordance with paragraph 4.1, DAFI 44-119, Medical Quality Operation, and DHA-PM 6025.13, Vol 4, Clinical Quality Management in the Military Health System, contract personnel shall maintain a current, valid, and unrestricted state license and/or national certification to practice.
• Copies of required certification for each Contractor shall be furnished to the Contracting Officer (CO) or designated representative prior to performance on this contract.
• No pending ethical complaints.
• Hold a Master’s Degree in Nursing from an accredited institution, as well as a current unrestricted license to practice nursing in one of the fifty states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, or the U.S. Virgin Islands. Candidate also must be certified as a nurse practitioner by a professional organization such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).
• Maintenance of required unrestricted licensure along with certification is mandatory.
• Have experience with evaluation and treatment of mental health disorders to include Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, have practiced as a Nurse Practitioner providing direct patient treatment in the outpatient clinical setting for at least 12 months within the past 24 months and have previous experience working as an NP with patients with history of combat-related stressors patients.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 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.