Occupational Health Nurse (acuityinternational)

JOB PROFILE: 

 This position is located in the Military Sealift Command (MSC) Force Medical Department (NO2H). MSC has the responsibility for the control, operation, and administration of ocean transportation by government-owned or commercial vessels of personnel, cargo, and petroleum for agencies of the Department of Defense (DoD), and as authorized or directed, for other agencies and departments of the United States.  

The Clinical Support Branch office implements and enforces MSC occupational medical clearance standards and policy for Civilian Mariners (CIVMARs) and contract mariners employed aboard MSC ships. The same standards are also applied to all MSC applicants and coordinates actions with the CIVMAR Support Center (CSC) and the MSC Employment Department. 

Advises the Force Surgeon on clinical guidelines for policy development regarding physical examination standards and implements and enforces those medical clearance standards and policies for CIVMARs through the direct monitoring and review of CIVMAR medical examinations and evaluations while supporting the expeditious crewing of ships.  

The Clinical Branch contributes to policy development and maintains oversight and control of contract mariner compliance with physical standards. Executes the MSC physical exam waiver process utilized with the Operating Company and Union’s medical physical examination providers. 

The Clinical Branch contributes to the development and evaluation of medical metrics and coordinates and promotes health and wellness programs.  

The Clinical Branch provides Case Management oversight to long term Not Fit for Duty cases and works with Labor Employee Relations Department in determining the best course of administrative action.  

The purpose of this position is to ensure that adequate and complete occupational and personal medical care for MSC mariners is both provided and current, which will reduce or minimize unhealthy conditions and mitigate risk of sudden incapacitation while at sea. The OHN ensures that the mariner meets minimum medical standards to be eligible for shipboard assignment and thus reduce the incidence of medical repatriation and shipboard medical incidents that may jeopardize the ship’s crew and mission. The work affects the physical and psychological wellbeing of all crew members. This entails assignment and review of patient care using both current medical and occupational industrial hygiene standards and incorporating new directives and regulations into action plans. 

JOB RESPONSIBLITIES:  

• Implements and enforces MSC medical standards and policy through review of CIVMAR medical records and evaluations. Reviews appropriate medical evaluations in keeping with current standard medical practices and occupational medical surveillance program standards. Incorporates new directives and regulations into action plans as they occur. Provides continuing assistance and advice for the maintenance and improvement of current MSC medical programs as applied to MSC mariners. 
• Performs pre-hire and pre-assignment screenings and is authorized to make fitness for duty determinations within the scope of the MSC Force Medical Officer written guidelines. Ensures that the CIVMAR is fully fit for sea duty.  This may include but is not limited to, the correct Medical Surveillance Programs and certificates, USCG Medical Certificate, and medical questionnaire on file. Discusses and annotates CIVMAR medications, allergies, and need for prescription corrective lens wear. Reviews CIVMAR immunizations and refers CIVMAR to Military Treatment Facilities or other providers for the appropriate update of vaccines. Reviews and completes Tuberculosis Exposure Risk Assessments and refers the CIVMAR for testing accordingly if needed. Reviews physical examinations and Occupational Health Medical Surveillance results. Supports Placement Department Specialists in reviewing possible exceptions for critical assignment cases based on policy and medical information received.  
View Orignal JOB on: nursingjobs.site
• Reviews MSC Mariner Medical Screening Questionnaires (MMSQ) for current CIVMARs. Ensures Mariner response is consistent with documented medical history. Ensures that the CIVMAR has a valid USCG Medical Certificate on file. Updates electronic medical records accordingly. 
• Reviews MSC Mariner Medical Screening Questionnaires (MMSQ) for applicants. Appropriately documents medical history and medications. Uploads completed MMSQ into CAS and into the clinic SharePoint site. 
• Requests Medical Summary Form (MSF) for any newly diagnosed or newly disclosed medical conditions. Updates HRMS to reflect request.  
• Conducts administration and promotion reviews as requested by Placement Department Specialists. Ensures that the CIVMAR has the correct Medical Surveillance Programs ordered according to rating. Ensures that the CIVMAR has a valid USCG Medical Certificate on file. Communicates with Placement Department Specialists regarding any noted discrepancies. 
• Ensures all documentation is completed in CIVMAR electronic medical records, including HRMS. MHS Genesis, the clinic SharePoint site, and the Clinic Access System website (CAS).  
• Serve as liaison with contractor for contractor related software and systems access.   
• Performs other duties appropriate to position as assigned. ​
• The OHN is responsible to the Clinical Branch Supervisor, who sets the overall objectives. The OHN is self-directed and has considerable independence and latitude in implementing, coordinating, and evaluating the occupational health elements of MSC mariners. The OHN is expected to work independently and solve all but the most complex problems with their own initiative and within the framework of the Force Medical Officer written guidelines in making fitness for service determinations regarding MSC mariners. Completed work is evaluated for effectiveness and meeting expected results as needed through the established QA process. 
• The OHN must be familiar with the guidelines that include precedents, regulations, and standard operating procedure manuals. COMSC, BUMED, OPNAV, and other applicable DoD directives and instructions specific to the department also provide guidance. The OHN is frequently expected to exercise independent judgment in interpreting and applying these medical and administrative guidelines. Independent initiative is required in making fitness for duty determinations in often-unique cases and situations not clearly governed by established standards and guidelines while primarily ensuring the mariners health and safety yet balancing the mission requirements of the command.  
• Assignments consist of significantly varied duties requiring the ability to recognize situations with potential dangers, both to the health of the mariner and the crew of the ship. The work involves various unrelated processes and methods dependent upon the current objective and assignment. Based on knowledge of both normal and abnormal conditions, the OHN is expected to independently determine what is the best approach and course of action given situations of uncertainty and involving conflicting requirements. The OHN must recognize situations that can be remedied independently as well as situations requiring higher-level resolution. 

JOB REQUIREMENTS :

• The OHN must possess a degree or a diploma from a professional nursing program approved by the legally designated State accrediting agency at the time the program was completed by the OHN. 

• The OHN must have an active, current registration/license as a professional Registered Nurse in a state, in the District of Columbia, in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or in a territory of the United States.
• The OHN must maintain a current license and comply with any Fleet Forces Command credentialing requirements. 
• The OHN must have 5 years of relevant professional experience. 
• Board certification as an Occupational Health Nurse is preferred but not required. 
• Previous experience with Occupational Medicine, Military Medicine is preferred by not required. 
• The OHN must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance. 
• The OHN must be proficient with computers and common office equipment as week as NS Office Products 
• Possess professional knowledge of a wide range of nursing concepts at the RN level, and the principles and practices to perform unique nursing assessments and fitness for duty determinations of an advanced nature that are significantly challenging.
• Knowledge of principles of chronic medical conditions, medications, industrial hygiene, environmental health and safety, and the ability to apply knowledge in assessing employee medical conditions, evaluating results, and implementing health care plans, based on current medical practice, the governing instructions, and written guidelines of the MSC Force Medical Officer.
• Knowledge of the scope, purpose, and type of medical surveillance examinations and tests, including the ability to interpret laboratory, visual acuity tests, audiograms, and EKG results/findings.
• Knowledge of relevant MSC, US Navy, and federal guidelines regulating the various required occupational medical surveillance programs. 
• Knowledge and ability to collect, organize, document, and communicate relevant health assessment data.
• Ability to work with computers and have a working knowledge of common software programs, such as MS Office, Excel, and PowerPoint. 
• Ability / Knowledge / Clearance / to utilize DOD/MSC/DHA specific software / computer programs. 

PHYSICAL AND WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work is primarily sedentary. It requires sitting, walking, standing, bending, and/or carrying light items, such as books, paper, and files. Constant use of the computer is required. 

The position is primarily telework. For initial and ongoing training requirements and for situations where telework is not possible (i.e. power outages, loss of home internet access), the OHN will be in an office setting at the Norfolk MSC Medical Office. The office setting is lighted, heated, and ventilated.