[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 129 (Wednesday, July 7, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36697-36700]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-17159]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Indian Health Service


Statement of Mission, Organization, Functions and Delegation of 
Authority

    Part G, of the Statement of Organization, Functions and Delegations 
of Authority of the Department of Health and Human Services, as amended 
at 60 FR 56606, November 9, 1995, and most recently amended at 61 FR 
67048, December 19, 1996, is amended to reflect a realignment of the 
Aberdeen Area Indian Health Service (AAIHS). The changes are as 
follows:
    Delete the functional statements for the AAIHS in their entirety 
and replace with the following:
    Section GFA-00, Aberdeen Area Indian Health Service-Mission. The 
Aberdeen IHS provides a comprehensive health services delivery system 
for American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) with opportunity for 
maximum tribal involvement in developing and managing programs to meet 
their health needs. The goal of the Aberdeen Area IHS is to raise the 
health level of the AI/AN people to the highest possible level.
    Section GFA-10, Functions. Office of the Director (GFAA). Provides 
overall direction and leadership for the AAIHS in accomplishing the 
mission of the Indian Health Service (IHS) by organizing the 
administrative and clinical activities in ways that are determined to 
appropriately deal with the epidemiological, social, cultural, 
geopolitical, and other such demographics peculiar to the service 
population.
    Office of the Administrative Support (GFAAB). (1) Plans, 
coordinates, implements, and evaluates the administrative management 
support activities of the Aberdeen Area; (2) advises the Area Director 
on all matters relating to Area management and administrative support 
activities; (3) provides guidance to the Area on financial management 
activities, including program policy interpretation in budget 
formulation and execution, preparation of program planning and 
budgeting data and financial management of grants and contracts; (4) 
participants and advises the Area Director on the allocation of the 
Area's personnel management resources and funding resources; (5) 
interprets policy and provides direction in the conduct of the Area's 
procurement, contracting and grants activities; and (6) maintains 
necessary liaison with various components of the IHS and Health 
Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) in furtherance of the 
AAIHS management activities.
    Division of Financial Resources (GFAAB1). (1) Provides Area staff 
services in all financial management activities, current and long-range 
budget formulations and implementation, and establishes and maintains 
an approved financial accounting system; (2) provides all services 
necessary for preparation of formal budget estimates; (3) examines and 
analyses reports in order to project funds; (4) evaluates, examines, 
analyzes, and processes all accounting transactions to the various 
allowances and appropriations; (5) provides for posting documents to 
ADP input to generate the detailed allowance and general ledger reports 
for management use; and (6) provides all services for planning, 
directing, and coordinating the voucher examining functions.
    Budget Services Branch (GFAAB11). Provides direction for the 
organization, coordination of execution of budget operations.
    Payroll Staff (GFAAB111). Provides payroll services to the Aberdeen 
and Bemidji Areas including processing bi-weekly payroll, and payroll 
error corrections.
    Accounting Branch (GFAAB12). Provides accounting services for the 
Aberdeen and Bemidji Areas concerned with the maintenance of accounting 
ledgers and records for the Health Accounting System (HAS).
    Accounts Payable Staff (GFAAB121). (1) Provides fiscal accounting 
services for the Aberdeen and Bemidji Areas concerned with the 
maintenance of accounting ledgers and records for the HAS; and (2) 
provides services involving complex auditing and examining procedures 
of voucher payments including the Aberdeen and Bemidji Areas.
    Reports and Reconciliation Staff (GFAAB122). Provides services to 
reconcile general and subsidiary ledgers

[[Page 36698]]

that are affected by allotment, appropriations, and expenditures.
    Division of Acquisition and Grants Management (GFAAB2). (1) Plans, 
develops, evaluates, and coordinates operations of procurement, 
contracting, grants management, property (real and personal), supply 
management, office services, communications and transportation, and 
leases and awards pursuant to Public Law 93-638, Self-Determination 
contracts, Public Law 93-437 (Indian Health Care Improvement Act); (2) 
provides technical consultation, coordination and evaluation to all 
awards/administrative services operations at field location; (3) 
develops policies and procedures, in conjunction with the Division of 
Financial Resources, regarding property and supply funding requirements 
of field installations; and (4) assists Service Units in planning and 
developing staffing assignments and in the development of effective 
administrative service functions.
    Contract Services Branch (GFAAB21). (1) Provides Area assistance in 
planning, developing, evaluation, consultation, and operations of 
contracting and grants management pursuant to Public Law 93-638, Self-
Determination contracts; and (2) plans, develops, evaluates, and 
coordinates awards, acquisition planning process for small purchases 
and commercial contracts for the Aberdeen and Bemidji Areas.
    Division of Personnel Management (GFAAB3). Responsible for advising 
on and providing assistance and services on all aspects of human, 
organizational, and manpower resources which includes, but not 
necessarily limited to: (1) The administration and management of the 
Personnel Management program designed to obtain, develop, and retain an 
effective and efficient workforce to accomplish the delivery of health 
care services to the Indian population; (2) the management and control 
of manpower and organizational resources to assure that an efficient 
and economical structure exists; (3) the provisions of personnel 
management advisory service and assistance to Tribal governments and 
urban Indian health care organizations to achieve the objectives of 
Indian Self-Determination; and (4) coordination and liaison of overall 
payroll functions for the Aberdeen and Bemidji Areas.
    Staffing and Placement Branch (GFAAB31). (1) Provides staffing and 
placement services for filling of vacancies for all general schedule 
and civil service positions in the Aberdeen Area; and (2) provides 
personnel services to all Area employees including advice on 
retirement, health benefits, direct deposit, life insurance, etc., in 
the Aberdeen and Bemidji Areas.
    Position Classification Branch (GFAAB32). Responsible for 
classification and position management activities for the Aberdeen and 
Bemidji Areas by providing sound advice pertaining to classification of 
positions and position management.
    Employee Relations Branch (GFAAB33). (1) Provides advice to 
management and employees in all areas of employee relations including 
grievances, removals, suspensions, retirements, and performance plans 
for general schedule and merit pay employees; (2) provides for employee 
development activities and training activities for all employees in the 
Aberdeen Area; and (3) provides feedback to management on all employee 
development and training activities which includes evaluation of 
training courses and seminars.
    Division of Property and Supply (GFAAB4). (1) Provides Area staff 
assistance in planning, developing, evaluation, consultation regarding 
property and supply funding requirements of field installations; (2) 
plans, develops evaluates, and coordinates the Directives and 
Delegations Control Program for the Aberdeen Area; (3) plans, develops, 
coordinates, evaluates a comprehensive property management program 
including quarters management, real and personal property management, 
motor vehicle management and tort claims; (4) plans, develops, 
coordinates, and evaluates a supply management program for the Aberdeen 
and Bemidji Areas; and (5) provides supply support and technical 
assistance to all facilities at the Service Units.
    Office Services Branch (GFAAB41). (1) Responsible for various 
management services, such as planning, developing, and operation of the 
forms management, records management, space management, mail and 
communications management, and duplication programs; (2) responsible 
for property custodial and accountability, inventories, and procurement 
of equipment and supplies for the Area office; and (3) responsible for 
the distribution of accountable forms.
    Division of Information Systems and Technology (FGAAB5). (1) 
Provides the Aberdeen Area with technical assistance in planning, 
designing, testing, implementation, operation, and management of the 
Automated Data Processing systems (ADP), which includes both computer 
and word processing systems; (2) responsible for those activities which 
deal with the planning, procurement, and installation of all ADP 
equipment and software; (3) responsible for the coordination and 
development of various long-range and short-range Area ADP plans; (4) 
provides assistance and guidance in identifying Area and Service Unit 
ADP needs; (5) provides training on technical aspects of computer and 
word processing systems; (6) develops and establishes policies and 
procedures regarding Area office ADP equipment, management, and 
operations; (7) responsible for assisting in the establishment of 
policies and procedures regarding the security of hardware, software, 
and information; (8) represents the Area at agency ADP planning 
meetings; and (9) provides the Area office staff with ADP services 
(i.e., operations, programming, and consultation).
    Office of Environmental Health and Engineering (GFAAC). (1) 
Provides overall administration and direction for Sanitation and 
Facilities Construction Program, Facilities Management Program, and 
Environmental Health Services Program, and (2) advises the Area 
Director on all matters relating to Environmental Health and 
Engineering activities.
    Division of Sanitation and Facilities Construction (GFAAC1). (1) 
Has responsibility for implementation of P.L. 86-121, Indian Sanitation 
Facility Act; (2) manages the construction and maintenance of 
sanitation facilities; (3) coordinates activities with IHS staff, BIA, 
HUD, and Tribes; and (4) provides training and consultation to Area 
staff and tribal organizations on sanitation construction activities.
    Division of Facilities Management (GFAAC2). (1) Responsible for 
maintenance of IHS owned facilities in the Aberdeen Area, reviewing 
physical plant requirements and improvement programs to meet Joint 
Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) and 
Medicare/Medicaid standards, and developing a planned program of 
physical plant improvements and preventative maintenance; (2) 
engineering and contracting services available from Engineering 
Services in Seattle are utilized in performing various physical plant 
inspections, making available certain architectural/engineering 
services contracts for maintenance and improvement design 
accomplishment; (3) assisting in review to insure code and standards 
compliance; and (4) developing facility master plans and new facility 
designs.
    Division of Environmental Health Services (GFAAC3). (1) Evaluates 
environmental health conditions,

[[Page 36699]]

maintains proper sanitary conditions through inspection, evaluation, 
and educational techniques; (2) stimulates community interest in 
developing water supplies and sewage disposal facilities and follows up 
construction projects to teach Indian families proper maintenance, 
care, and repair of such facilities; (3) stresses community injury 
control by training, education, and working with Tribal groups; and (4) 
provides consultation on safety programs concerning the Public Health 
Service (PHS) Federal installations within the Aberdeen Area, and on 
all environmental aspects of hospitals, health centers, clinics, 
boarding schools, day schools, jails, and nursing homes.
    Office of Tribal Health Activities (GFAAD). (1) Serves as a focal 
point for Area staff contact with tribal governments and liaison with 
other Federal and State agencies; (2) implements and manages technical 
assistance activities to Tribal community health development programs, 
developing and implementing the Area's contracts and grants response 
system for Public Law 93-638, coordination of Tribal training 
activities and special Indian Health projects; (3) provides Area staff 
services and technical assistance in planning, developing, evaluation, 
and operation of Tribal Health Programs and projects; (4) conducts 
feasibility studies and determines eligibility of tribal proposals for 
contracting or grant funding; and (5) identified Tribal training needs, 
arranges for appropriate training, and coordinates project officer 
activities for the Aberdeen Area.
    Office of Health Programs (GFAAE). (1) Plans, coordinates, 
implements, directs, and evaluate the Area Health Care Program; (2) 
advises the Area Director on all matters related to health care program 
operations including clinical services and preventative health and 
tribal programs; (3) provides for the evaluation of clinical services, 
preventative health and tribal programs; (4) monitors and reviews 
health care operations including coordinating the reviews by Medicare/
Medicaid and JCAHO survey teams and other health professional review 
teams; (5) identified additional program resources required and/or 
realignment of existing resources to achieve effective and efficient 
program operation; (6) directs established routine health care program 
operations within the Area through the Service Unit directors; and (7) 
assures that all health care services delivered in the Area are of the 
highest quality compatible with resources available.
    Physician Recruitment Staff (GFAAE1). Responsible for planning, 
developing, coordinating, implementing, directing, and evaluating a 
nationwide and international recruitment and retention program to 
assure a cadre of qualified health professionals in the Aberdeen Area.
    Division of Hospital and Clinics (GFAAE12). (1) Responsible for 
direction, coordination, and evaluation of hospital and clinical health 
service activities for the Aberdeen Area; and (2) develops program 
policy and provides input into operational decisions as this relates to 
nursing services, pharmacy services, optometry services, and medical 
records services.
    Nursing Services Staff (GFAAE121). (1) Develops, coordinates, and 
administers an Area wide nursing program; (2) recommends and 
participates in the formulation of procedures, policies and programs 
essential to providing nursing care; and (3) assists in recruitment of 
qualified nurses.
    Pharmacy Services Staff (GFAAE122). (1) Responsible for program 
content and administration of the area wide pharmacy program; and (2) 
the Pharmacy Branch consists of a full range of clinical pharmacy 
services for outpatients and inpatients.
    Optometry Services Staff (GFAAE123). (1) Coordinates and implements 
an area wide optometry program and provides consultation to field staff 
in regards to the program; and (2) assists in the recruitment of 
qualified individuals.
    Medical Records Staff (GFAAE124). (1) Develops, coordinates, 
implements an Area wide medical records program; and (2) provides 
consultation to Area medical staff in regards to the program and 
ensures that the program meets JCAHO requirements.
    Division of Field Health (GFAAE2). (1) Responsible for direction, 
coordination, and evaluation of field health service activities within 
the Aberdeen Area; and (2) develops program policy and provides input 
into operational decisions relating to Community Health Nursing, 
Alcoholism, Health Education, Nutrition and Dietetics, Dental services, 
Audiology Services and Substance Abuse.
    Community Health Nursing Staff (GFAAE21). (1) Provides 
comprehensive community health nursing services with primary focus on 
the prevention of illness and promotion and maintenance of health; and 
(2) coordinates services with Tribal officials and Tribal health 
programs.
    Nutrition and Dietetics Staff (GFAAE22). (1) Provides guidance, 
coordination, and consultation for the Nutrition and Dietetics program; 
and (2) provides consultation to Service Unit staff on nutrition and 
dietetics matters.
    Health Education Staff (GFAAE23). (1) Coordinates planning, 
development, and implementation of health education services and 
programs; and (2) provides consultation to Service Unit staff on health 
education matters.
    Audiology Staff (GFAAE24). (1) Coordinates and implements an area 
wide audiology program and provides consultation to field staff in 
regards to the program; and (2) assists in the recruitment of qualified 
individuals.
    Dental Services Branch (GFAAE25). (1) Provides coordination, 
monitoring, and consultation to assure oral disease prevention and 
health promotion activities in the Aberdeen Area; (2) monitors contract 
dental services; and (3) works with environmental health and 
engineering to assure that optimal levels of fluoride exists in 
community water supplies.
    Substance Abuse Branch (GFAAE26). Provides direction,coordination, 
and consultation to the Area in regards to the Area alcoholism program, 
tribal alcoholism programs and adolescent programs.
    Division of Epidemiology (GFAAE3). (1) Responsible for the 
collection of epidemiologic information and directs the development or 
periodic revision of an epidemiologic description of each Indian 
community served by the Aberdeen Area; and (2) establishes standards 
for communicable disease, environmental emergency, and outbreak 
reporting for the Area and participates in environmental emergency and 
outbreak control efforts, and educates Area and Tribal personnel in the 
uses of epidemiology.
    Health Promotion/Disease Prevention Staff (GFAAE31). Responsible 
for assessing, planning, directing, coordinating and evaluating the 
health promotion and disease prevention program throughout the Aberdeen 
Area.
    Information Resources Branch (GFAAE32). (1) Responsible for 
management, oversight, and evaluation of internal automated information 
systems (e.g., financial accounting, report management, manpower 
analysis, statistical data gathering and some casting, etc.) to 
appraise the impact they have on overall area operations; and (2) 
recommend alternative situations that would change or improve the 
effectiveness of services being provided.
    Planning and Legislation Branch (GFAAE33). (1) Responsible for Area 
wide leadership in and serving as principle advisor on the development 
of strategic plans, strategies and innovative directions for the Area 
in relation to Indian's health needs and program

[[Page 36700]]

management and on their strategic implications for Area legislation, 
regulations, policies, and operations; (2) coordinating the development 
of Area positions on national issues in the field of Indian Health; (3) 
assisting in discharging the Area's responsibilities in the 
formulation, evaluation, and related work concerning legislation and 
regulations; (4) assessing and interpreting Department policies and 
procedures, and in maintaining systems for their implementation and 
dissemination; (5) coordinating the formulation of and participating in 
executing Area wide executive policy, providing consultation and 
guidance to the Area in program and management policy development, 
interpretation and application and maintaining the documentation and 
issuance system for the Area; and (6) negotiating solutions to intra-
department problems of Area organization.
    Division of Managed Care (GFAAE4). (1) Manages the Contract Health 
Care and Medicare/Medicaid resources accordance with program 
regulations; (2) collects and analyzes fiscal and logistical data as to 
its impact on the overall health program; (3) provides interpretive 
reports, coordinates, advises, and supports the Area and Service Unit 
staff on the availability of financial resources in relation to their 
program; and (4) manages, plan, coordinates, implements, and evaluates 
the Aberdeen Area Business Office.
    Division of Medical Care Evaluation (GFAAE5). Conducts and 
coordinates a medical care evaluation program which includes Improving 
Organizational Performance, Risk Management, Hospital and Health Center 
Accreditation by the JCAHO or Certification by Health Care Financing 
Administration.
    Social Services/Mental Health Branch (GFAAE51). Administers, 
supervises, and maintains a social services/mental health program 
offering case work therapy and counseling services and crisis 
intervention, individual therapy, and substance abuse therapy.
    Aberdeen Area Service Units: Quentin Burdick Service Unit (GFAAWA); 
Cheyenne River Service Unit (GFAAWB); Crow Creek Service Unit (GFAAWC); 
Ft. Totten Service Unit (GFAAWD); Lower Brule Service Unit (GFAAWE); 
Minne Tohe Service Unit (GFAAWG); Pine Ridge Service Unit (GFAAWH); 
Rapid City Service Unit (GFAAWJ); Rosebud Service Unit (GFAAWK); 
Sisseton Service Unit (GFAAWL); Standing Rock Service Unit (GFAAWM); 
Winnebago/Omaha Service Unit (GFAAWN); Yankton Service Unit (GFAAWP); 
Regional Treatment Center (GFAAWT).

Aberdeen Area Service Units

    (1) Plans, develops, and directs health programs within the 
framework of IHS policy and mission; (2) promotes activities to improve 
and maintain the health and welfare of the service population; (3) 
delivers quality health services; (4) coordinates Service Unit 
activities and resources with those of other governmental and 
nongovernmental programs; and (5) participates in the development and 
demonstration of alternative means and techniques of health services 
management and health care.
    Section GFA-20, Aberdeen Area IHS-Delegations of Authority. All 
delegations and redelegations of authority made to officials in the 
Aberdeen Area IHS that were in effect immediately prior to this 
reorganization, and that are consistent with this reorganization, shall 
continue in effect pending further redelegation.

    Dated: June 25, 1999.
Michael H. Trujillo,
Assistant Surgeon General, Director.
[FR Doc. 99-17159 Filed 7-6-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-16-M