[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 243 (Thursday, December 18, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70507-70510]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-31242]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Office of the Secretary
Office of Public Health and Science; Statements of Organizations,
Functions, and Delegations of Authority
Part A, Office of the Secretary (OS) of the Statement of
Organization, Functions, and Delegation of Authority for the Department
of Health and Human Services (HHS), chapter AC, Office of Public Health
and Science (OPHS), as last amended at 67 FR 71568, dated December 2,
2002, is being amended to reflect the realignment of personnel
oversight, administration, and management functions for the U.S. Public
Health Service (PHS) Commissioned Corps in the OPHS. Specifically, it
realigns these functions in a newly established Office of Commissioned
Corps Force Management (ACQ) and in the Office of the Surgeon General
(ACM). The changes are as follows:
I. Under Part A, Chapter AC, Office of Public Health and Science,
make the following changes:
A. Under Paragraph AC.10 Organization, insert the following line at
the end of the listing:
N. Office of Commissioned Corps Force Management (ACQ)
B. Under Paragraph AC.20, Functions, make the following changes:
1. Delete Paragraph, ``K. Office of the Surgeon General (ACM),'' in
its entirety and replace with the following:
K. Office of the Surgeon General (ACM)
Section ACM.00 Mission--The Office of the Surgeon General (OSG) is
headed by the SG who reports to the Assistant Secretary for Health
(ASH), provides staff support for: (1) Activities relating to
membership on the Board of Regents of the Uniformed Services University
of the Health Sciences and as principal health official for PHS on
matters related to policies affecting PHS faculty and students (10
U.S.C. 2113(a)(3)); (2) activities related to responsibilities on other
boards are assigned, including the (a) National Library of Medicine;
(b) Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP); (c) American Medical
Association (AMA) House of Delegates; and (d) Executive Committee,
Association of Military Surgeons of the United States. The Office
provides support to the SG; (3) in issuing warnings to the public on
identified health hazards; (4) for review of the particulars of
Department of Defense (DoD) plans for transportation, open testing and
disposal of lethal chemicals and biological agents and in recommending
precautions necessary to protect the public health and safety binding
on the Secretary, DoD, which can only be overridden by the President
(50 U.S.C. 1512 (2) & (3)); (5) communicating with professional
societies to receive, solicit, and channel concerns regarding health
policy in behalf of the ASH; (6) maintaining liaison with the Surgeons
General of the Armed Forces and the Department of Veterans Affairs; (7)
representing PHS at national and international health and professional
meetings to interpret PHS philosophy, policies, organizational
responsibilities and programs, as assigned; (8) providing management
and oversight for the community-based, civilian Medical Reserve Corps
program; (9) providing liaison with governmental and non-governmental
organizations on matters pertaining to military and veterans affairs;
and, (10) assuring day-to-day management of the Corps' operations,
force readiness, and field command of deployments of the Commissioned
Corps.
Section ACM.10 Organization: includes the following components:
[sbull] Immediate Office of the Surgeon General (ACM)
[sbull] Office of Science and Communications (ACM1)
[sbull] Office of Commissioned Corps Operations (ACM2)
[sbull] Office of Force Readiness and Deployment (ACM3)
[sbull] Office of Reserve Affairs (ACM4)
Section ACM.20 Functions:
(a) Immediate Office of the Surgeon General (ACM): (1) Advises the
ASH on matters relating to protecting and advancing the public health
of the Nation; (2) manages special deployments that address
Presidential and Secretarial initiatives directed toward resolving
critical public health problems; (3) as requested, serves as a
spokesperson on behalf of the Secretary and the ASH, addressing the
quality of public health practice on the Nation; (4) provides
supervision of activities relating to the day-to-day management of
operations and deployment of officers of the Commissioned Corps; (5)
provides advice to the ASH, collaborating with the Office of
Commissioned Corps Management (OCCFM), on the policies and
implementation related to the appointment, promotion, assimilation,
recognition, professional development, and other matters required for
the efficient management of the Corps; (6) provides liaison with
governmental and non-governmental organizations on matters pertaining
to military and veterans affairs; (7) directs and oversees internal
office administrative operations (including proposing and executing
office budgets); and (8) convenes periodic meetings of the flag
officers to obtain senior level advice concerning the day-to-day
management of Corps' operations.
(b) Office of Science and Communications (ACM1): (1) Coordinates
activities to plan, develop, introduce, and evaluate Surgeon General's
Reports, Calls-to-Action, workshops, and other authoritative
statements; (2) advises the SG on science, data, and evidence
pertaining to population-based public health and the furtherance of
public health priorities; (3) represents the SG in efforts to
coordinate federal public health activities with similar activities in
the States and local areas; (4) coordinates and is responsible for the
preparation of SG correspondence, speeches, and communications; (5)
represents the SG at conferences, symposia, and community events; and
(6) coordinates the receipt of senior level advice from the Chief
Professional Officers, the Surgeon General's Professional Advisory
Council, and categorical Professional Advisory Committees.
(c) Office of Commissioned Corps Operations (ACM2):
Section ACM2.00 Mission: (1) Provides advice to the SG on matters
related to the day-to-day management of Commissioned Corps operations,
[[Page 70508]]
including active duty and reserve components; (2) implements the
policies established by the ASH for the operations of the PHS
Commissioned Corps; (3) provides for the delivery of training and for
career development, and applies professional credentialing requirements
for the Corps; (4) manages systems required for selecting personnel for
appointment, promotion, assimilation, and award recognition, for
evaluating officer performance, and for processes required for
disability retirement, disciplinary, and other-than-honorable discharge
purposes; (5) implements officer and force accession plans through a
staff of recruiters, including an Associate Recruiters Program; (6)
manages personnel administration systems for the permanent or temporary
assignment, deployment, and detail of Corps members; (7) implements
policies established by the ASH for commissioned and warrant officers
on active duty, Commissioned Officer Student Training Extern Program
(COSTEP), reserve officers, retired officers, and survivors of deceased
officers; (8) prepares all personnel orders for approval and signature
by the ASH; (9) makes recommendations to the SG on individual details
for review and action by the ASH; (10) reviews and makes
recommendations on proposed blanket personnel agreements negotiated by
the ASH; (11) reviews and makes recommendations on the temporary
deployments of officers not specifically under an assignment to another
Operating or Staff Division of the Department or another Department or
agency covered by a memorandum of agreement or blanket detail
agreement; (12) provides technical review and recommendations to the SG
on appeals of adverse actions that would result in the termination of
officers' commissions and on formal Equal Employment Opportunity
complaints; (13) maintains liaison with the OCCFM, and, as directed,
with Departmental Operating and Staff Divisions and, as directed, with
non-departmental entities to which officers are assigned under blanket
agreements; and (14) works with OCCFM and agencies to identify career
development assignments, and to identify officers to be recommended for
directed reassignments where appropriate.
Section ACM2.10 Organization. The Office of Commissioned Corps
Operations is headed by a Director, who reports to the SG, and includes
the following components:
[sbull] Immediate Office of the Director (ACM2)
[sbull] Division of Commissioned Corps Recruitment (ACM21)
[sbull] Division of Commissioned Corps Assignment (ACM22)
[sbull] Division of Commissioned Corps Training and Career
Development (ACM23)
[sbull] Division of Commissioned Corps Officer Support (ACM24)
Section ACM2 2.0 Functions
(1) Immediate Office of the Director (ACM2): (1) Advises the SG on
all matters related to the operations management of the PHS
Commissioned Corps; (2) provides for the day-to-day management of
Commissioned Corps operations, implements policies received from the
ASH for personnel, training, readiness, assignment, deployment,
promotion, and retirement for all officers; (3) collaborates with OCCFM
on the development and implementation of Commissioned Corps policies;
(4) coordinates the application of information technology and support
for the execution of OSG activities; (5) manages the process for
adverse action decisions and other-than-honorable discharges; and (6)
is responsible for the appropriate exercise of delegated authorities
and responsibilities.
(2) Division of Commissioned Corps Recruitment (ACM21): (1)
Implements approved programs to assure awareness of the Corps and its
career opportunities among health professional schools and
associations, provider institutions, and the public; (2) in accordance
with policies, goals, and strategies established by the ASH, carries
out programs and activities designed to attract new health personnel to
the Corps, to attract officers already in the Corps to designated
assignments, and to promote the Corps and service in it; (3) manages an
Associate Recruiter Program and otherwise mobilizes recruitment
activity among the active duty, reserve, and retired officers; (4)
assists OCCFM in promoting the effective and efficient utilization of
the Corps within all venues where the Corps is utilized; and (5)
carries out approved recruitment programs specifically for reserve
components and other Corps personnel asset programs.
(3) Division of Commissioned Corps Assignments (ACM22): (1)
Addresses and meets the short-term and long-term placement requirements
for active-duty and reserve component personnel established by the ASH
and developed by OCCFM, including the Commissioned Corps and the
warrant Corps, by category; (2) works with OCCFM to identify and
categorize the types of assignments for which Corps members and its
reserve personnel assets may be required; (3) implements a billet
management system utilizing standards developed by OCCFM, and approved
by the ASH; (4) evaluates and grades billets to which officers are to
be assigned in accordance with standards established by OCCFM; (5)
assures that assignments of officers and the billets to which assigned
are consistent and appropriately categorized and identified; (6)
reviews all proposed officer personnel actions and prepares orders for
signature by the ASH; (7) implements, manages, and monitors approved
blanket personnel agreements and individual details; (8) reviews and
recommends to the ASH the temporary deployment of all officers not
specifically under an assignment to another operating or staff division
of the Department or another department or agency; and (9) administers
a system to monitor assignments.
(4) Division of Commissioned Corps Training and Career Development
(ACM23): (1) Identifies and manages training resources required for
establishing and maintaining the readiness and proficiency of the
members of the Corps; (2) operates Commissioned Officer education and
training systems, providing basic, mid-career, and specialized training
programs; (3) monitors officer compliance with credentialing standards;
(4) implements career development programs and provides individual
career counseling; (5) coordinates COSTEP; (6) administers training
programs; and (7) assists officers with retirement planning.
(5) Division of Commissioned Corps Officer Support (ACM24): (1)
Coordinates the assignment of members of boards convened for the
purpose of recommending appointments, promotions, assimilation actions,
approval of award nominations, disability retirements, and other boards
that may be required to support operations; (2) supports the boards
convened by OSG; (3) administers a system for assuring credentialing,
licensing, and other regulatory compliance, and for the periodic
evaluation of the individual members of the Corps, including Corps
reserve personnel assets; (4) reviews all personnel evaluations to
assure that Corps standards are being maintained; and (5) maintains the
official personnel records of the Corps.
(d) Office of Force Readiness and Deployment (ACM3): (1)
Administers readiness activities to include (a) advice to the ASH and
OCCFM on strategic and long term readiness planning, (b) assurance of
the accuracy and maintenance of an adequate roster of the readiness
status of officers, (c)
[[Page 70509]]
development and maintenance of systems for the tracking, mission
critical training, mobilization, and deployment of commissioned
officers; (d) supervision of a teaching staff charged with officer
instruction using plans, strategies, and materials, consistent with
policy developed by the ASH, necessary for officers to fulfill
readiness and deployment standards; and (e) coordination of logistics
for after-action requirements about deployments; (2) administers and
oversees mobile medical teams and other special operations team
activities and supports the OASPHEP with resources as required for
emergency operations at headquarters and in the field; (3) provides
day-to-day management and oversight of the USA Freedom Corps Medical
Reserve Corps (MRC) program by: (a) Managing the MRC grant program and
(b) providing technical assistance to MRC communities on a variety of
community and outreach issues; (4) maintains liaison with the OSPHEP
and other Federal entities as appropriate; and (5) manages and
supervises temporary deployments of all officers not specifically under
an assignment to another Operating or Staff Division of the Department
or another Department or agency.
(e) Office of Reserve Affairs (ACM4): (1) Develops and maintains
reserve components or assets, except for extended active duty reserve
officers, in accordance with established plans; (2) serves as the SG's
principal advisor on activities related to the preparedness and
activation of the Corps reserve personnel assets; (3) in conjunction
with the OCCFM conducts strategic and long-term planning for Corps
reserve personnel assets; and (4) coordinates the assignments of Corps
reserve personnel assets, to support the missions of HHS as well as
those of the DoD, the U.S. Coast Guard, the National Oceanographic and
Atmospheric Administration, the Department of Justice, and other
federal, state, and local agencies.
2. At the end of Section AC.20 Functions, insert the following new
component:
N. Office of Commissioned Corps Force Management (ACQ)
Section ACQ.00 Mission. The Office of Commissioned Corps Force
Management (OCCFM), under the direction of a Director who reports to
the ASH, (1) Develops policies and proposes regulations in order to
carry out a comprehensive force management program for the Commissioned
Corps; (2) convenes and manages policy and planning related boards and
committees; (3) develops workforce and officer standards, conducts
workforce planning for all components of the Commissioned Corps and
evaluates workforce effectiveness; (4) maintains the Commissioned Corps
Personnel Manual (CCPM); (5) in coordination with OPHS budget staff,
prepares and executes the Commissioned Corps Personnel Services budget
as established through the Service and Supply Fund Board and provides
liaison with that Board; (6) serves as the Secretariat for the Public
Health Service Commissioned Corps Council; (7) convenes periodic
meetings of the flag officers, on behalf of the Secretary and chaired
by the ASH, to obtain senior level policy advise; (8) develops policies
and programs for the recruitment, appointment, promotion, assimilation,
training, and evaluation of all commissioned and warrant officers of
the Commissioned Corps; (9) establishes time lines, performance
standards, and measurements for the evaluation of the operations and
management of the Commissioned Corps; (10) works closely with the OSG
to facilitate operations and implementation of policies and programs;
and (11) oversees the Beneficiary Medical Program, systems for the
compensation of members of the Corps, and the programs for survivor
assistance, medical affairs, and any other function that may be
conducted in behalf of the ASH under a contract or memorandum of
agreement, or performed within any other component of the department.
Section ACQ.10 Organization. The Office of Commissioned Corps Force
Management is headed by a Director, who reports to the ASH, and
includes the following components:
[sbull] Immediate Office of the Director (ACQ)
[sbull] Recruitment, Marketing, and Information Systems Division
(ACQ1)
[sbull] Workforce Policy and Plans Division (ACQ2)
[sbull] Program Evaluation and Oversight Division (ACQ3)
Section ACQ.20 Functions:
(a) Immediate Office of the Director (ACQ): (1) Advises the ASH on
all matters related to the development of policies affecting all
officers, whether active-duty, reserve, or retired; (2) convenes and
manages policy and planning related boards and committees; (3) directs
the development of issuances and maintenance of the Commissioned Corps
Personnel Manual, including all policies and regulations requiring
approval of the ASH or the Secretary; (4) develops and executes the
budget for the operation of OCCFM, including contracted or subsidiary
services; (5) reviews the Commissioned Corps Personnel Services budget
as established through the Service and Supply Fund Board and provides
liaison with that Board; (6) oversees the policy development and
implementation for the activities carried out by the Program Support
Center (PSC) and/or other contractors for the implementation of Corps-
related services; (7) assures the availability of information
technology and support for the execution of Commissioned Corps
personnel activities for OCCFM and OSG; (8) works with external federal
and non-federal organizations to develop memorandums of agreement and
contracts as required for the effective management and oversight of the
Corps, including the proper assignment of contracted duties and
evaluation of contractor performance; and (9) collaborates with other
elements of the Department as appropriate to acquire legal opinions and
services as needed, and coordinates legislative activities.
(b) Recruitment, Marketing, and Information Systems Division
(ACQ1): (1) Develops recruitment strategies, programs, materials, and
other resources directed toward attracting health professional
audiences who are potential candidates to apply for and to become
officers serving in the active duty and reserve components of the
Commissioned Corps; (2) plans and prepares a public affairs program
designed to raise awareness of members of the public, the press, and
other external constituencies, to promote interest in the activities of
the Commissioned Corps; (3) develops and oversees information
technology and systems to support recruitment, personnel and Corps
management functions and collaborates with the OSG on their
implementation, usage, and improvement; (4) provides daily liaison with
agencies and their respective human resource functions to promote the
effective and efficient use of officers and to incorporate agency-
specific marketing information into recruiting programs.
(c) Force Policy and Plans Division (ACQ2): (1) Conducts a program
of comprehensive force planning including a billet evaluation and
management system, including working with agencies to determine
requirements for commissioned corps staffing by professional category,
and developing short and long-term manpower projections to assist in
directing recruitment; (2) develops issuances for, and maintains, the
CCPM, as well as regulations required for the management of the
Commissioned Corps; (3)
[[Page 70510]]
develops a broad range of personnel standards, including commissioning,
professional, and officer competency standards; (4) develops training
and education policy and career development guidelines and materials;
(5) develops and maintains policies for billet description, grading,
and classification that reflect both commissioned corps and agency
requirements; (6) advises the ASH on policy pertaining to deployments,
and on mission nature, size, duration and mix and blend of the use of
active duty and reserve officers for deployments; (7) conducts force
planning for all elements of reserve assets, and recommends policy to
support plans, goals, and objectives; (8) develops policy, guidelines,
and standard memoranda of agreement for individual and blanket details;
and (9) works with the Program Evaluation and Oversight Division and
other uniformed services to identify and adapt best practices to
improve efficiency and effectiveness, and for the purpose of developing
systems to provide the highest quality services to the agencies and to
the commissioned officer community.
(d) Program Evaluation and Oversight Division (ACQ3): (1) Develops
and implements evaluations and assessments of the Commissioned Corps in
meeting its goals, objectives and milestones; (2) manages relationships
with the PSC and all contractors; (3) assures that programs contain
appropriately time framed goals, objectives, and outcomes by which to
monitor and assess progress and performance; (4) conducts after action
assessments and evaluations pertaining to the use of the Commissioned
Corps for deployments, special assignments, or other non-routine uses
of officers; (5) oversees and evaluates the medical benefit and payroll
programs; (6) conducts periodic program reviews of all aspects of the
management and utilization of the Commissioned Corps; and (7) develops
methods and approaches to monitor satisfaction and follow up concerning
services provided to various customers, and provides feedback to
program officials.
II. Continuation of Policy: Except as inconsistent with this
reorganization, all statements of policy and interpretations with
respect to the Commissioned Corps of the PHS heretofore issued and in
effect prior to this reorganization are continue in full force and
effect.
III. Delegation of Authority: All delegations and redelegations of
authority made by officials and employees of affected organizational
components will continue in them or their successors pending further
redelegation, provided they are consistent with this reorganization.
IV. Funds, Personnel, and Equipment: Transfer of organizations and
functions affected by this reorganization shall be accompanied by
direct and support funds, positions, personnel, records, equipment,
supplies and other resources.
Dated: December 11, 2003.
Ed Sontag,
Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management.
[FR Doc. 03-31242 Filed 12-17-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4150-28-M