Staff Physician (O-5 Billet) Non-Supervisory

Full Job Description

As a Staff Physician you will practice mission-focused medicine and provide comprehensive primary and urgent care to individuals in federal custody while working within a collaborative, multidisciplinary federal healthcare system.

Sites may be eligible for additional assignment pay and National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment. This position is only open to USPHS officers and Call to Active Duty (CAD) candidates.

COMPETENCIES: Demonstrates clear and effective oral and written communication skills. Represents the agency and its interests with external parties in a positive manner.

Demonstrates technical proficiency by applying relevant knowledge and skills to perform work in accordance with applicable guidelines.

Assigns, monitors and evaluates the work and behavior of others in a proficient manner, setting and communicating clear expectations.

Leads by communicating a vision for work unit, translating broad organizational goals into concrete objectives, plans, priorities and assignments.

Demonstrates IHSC core values of integrity, commitment, accountability, service and excellence in discharge of duties.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Requires physical exertion such as repetitively lifting objects greater than 30 pounds for brief periods of time. Required to perform CPR/emergency care standing or kneeling.

Must have the ability to assist sick, injured or aging detainees or staff exiting a building (may require lifting, dragging, wheeling or carrying someone who weighs significantly more than oneself).

The work may necessitate some physical characteristics that will be required when responding to an emergency, such as running short distance, prolonged standing and providing medical care within a secure detention facility environment.

Major Duties:

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Provides medical care to a diverse international patient population in an ambulatory care setting and provides infirmary-based care to patients in facilities with a medical housing unit.

Patients may include adult men and women, children, and family units depending on the facility.

Works in concert with facility staff and consultant specialists to ensure the provision of necessary health care services for their patients.

Utilizes communication assistance resources to ensure patients with limited English proficiency and/or communication disabilities can communicate and understand their plan of care.

Performs all duties in accordance with accepted medical practices and standards of care as defined by community professional medical standards.

Operates within the scope of practice as granted in their clinical privileges. Collects comprehensive medical and social history to include a review of all body systems.

Conducts initial and follow-up assessments to address acute and chronic detainee health care needs.

Examines and orders appropriate diagnostic testing and provides necessary treatment and/or medications as required. Refers selected cases to consultant specialists when necessary.

Refers detainees requiring hospitalization to a local hospital and to an appropriate admitting physician.

Cares for the more complex patients or those referred by an advanced practice provider (APP) due to concern requiring greater skill in medical management.

Expected patient encounter rate is approximately one patient every 30-45 minutes, which includes the evaluation and medical record documentation.

Reviews and co-signs all medical documentation assigned by other health care personnel, to include health assessments, medical housing unit admissions and discharges, and medical care.

Serves as a consultant for APPs and other clinical staff, providing clinical oversight and direction.

This may include designation as a collaborating physician for APPs and directing the scope of practice for medical assistants.

Incumbent may be solicited to provide input for the performance rating of APPs and other clinical staff.

For facilities with a medical housing unit, incumbent make rounds on detainees admitted to his/her care with APPs and nursing personnel.

The physician may evaluate detainees who are in segregated status in their designated housing area or are housed in segregation units.

Renders emergency medical/surgical/mental health services as required. Ensures that proper evaluations and treatments are carried out and documented.

Incumbent constantly monitors and evaluates the quality of patient care, providing data to the departmental Performance Improvement program, and other agencies or committees as required.

This is primarily a weekday, day-shift clinical position with shared on-call responsibilities.

On-call coverage is shared among site physicians and APPs; return-to-facility activations are infrequent but may be required.

May be asked to see patients on an interim basis who are not in the category of his/her clinical expertise. May be asked to function as the clinical director in his/her absence.

May be called on to assist in the operation of other clinics, upon the absence of the regularly assigned physician.

Assures proper maintenance of medical records, preparation of reports, etc., as related to the area of responsibility.

Makes recommendations on matters of policy, procedures, training, personnel, and equipment as related to specific area of responsibility.

Participates actively in Health Services medical in-service programs. Assists with training for APPs, nursing staff, support services personnel, and peer professional staff.

As needed, works with and is assigned to various committees.

Along with all other correctional institution employees, incumbent is charged with responsibility for maintaining security of the institution. Follows supervisory chain of command.

Other duties as assigned.