[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 249 (Tuesday, December 29, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 81341-81344]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-32749]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Resources and Services Administration


Statement of Organization, Functions and Delegations of Authority

    This notice amends Part R of the Statement of Organization, 
Functions and Delegations of Authority of the Department of Health and 
Human Services (HHS), Health Resources and Services Administration 
(HRSA) (60 FR 56605, as amended November 6, 1995; as last amended at 80 
FR 66545-66546 dated October 29, 2015).
    This notice reflects organizational changes in the Health Resources 
and Services Administration (HRSA), Bureau of Health Workforce (RQ). 
Specifically, this notice: (1) Abolishes the Office of Workforce 
Development and Analysis (RQA); (2) abolishes the Office of Health 
Careers (RQB); and (3) updates the functional statement for the Bureau 
of Health Workforce (RQ).

Chapter RQ--Bureau of Health Workforce

Section RQ-10, Organization

    Delete the organizational structure for the Bureau of Health 
Workforce (RQ) and replace in its entirety.
    The Bureau of Health Workforce is headed by the Associate 
Administrator, who reports directly to the Administrator, Health 
Resources and Services Administration.
    1. Office of the Associate Administrator (RQ);
    2. Division of Policy and Shortage Designation (RQ1);
    3. Division of Business Operations (RQ2);
    4. Division of External Affairs (RQ3);
    5. National Center for Health Workforce Analysis (RQ4);
    6. Division of Medicine and Dentistry (RQ5);
    7. Division of Nursing and Public Health (RQ6);
    8. Division of Practitioner Data Bank (RQ7);
    9. Division of Participant Support and Compliance (RQ8);
    10. Division of Health Careers and Financial Support (RQ9);
    11. Division of National Health Service Corps (RQC); and
    12. Division of Regional Operations (RQD).

Section RQ-20, Functions

    Delete the functional statement for the Bureau of Health Workforce 
(RQ) and replace in its entirety.
    This notice reflects organizational changes in Bureau of Health 
Workforce (RQ). Specifically, this notice: (1) Abolish the Office of 
Workforce Development and Analysis; (RQA); (2) abolishes the Office of 
Health Careers (RQB); and (3) updates the functional statement for the 
Bureau of Health Workforce (RQ).

Bureau of Health Workforce (RQ)

    The Bureau of Health Workforce (BHW) improves the health of the 
nation's underserved communities and vulnerable populations by 
developing, implementing, evaluating, and refining programs that 
strengthen the nation's health care workforce. BHW programs support a 
diverse, culturally competent workforce by addressing components 
including: Education and training; recruitment and retention; financial 
support for students, faculty, and practitioners; supporting 
institutions; data analysis; and evaluation and coordination of health 
workforce activities. These efforts support development of a skilled 
health workforce serving in areas of the nation with the greatest need.

Office of the Associate Administrator (RQ)

    The Office of the Associate Administrator provides overall 
leadership, direction, coordination, and planning in support of the 
BHW's programs designed to help meet the health professions workforce 
needs of the nation and improve the health of the nation's underserved 
communities and vulnerable populations. The office guides and directs 
the bureau's workforce analysis efforts and provides guidance and 
support for advisory councils. Additionally, the office provides 
direction by coordinating the recruitment, education, training, and 
retention of diverse health professionals in the healthcare system and 
supporting communities' efforts to build more integrated and 
sustainable systems of care. Specifically: (1) Directs and provides 
policy guidance for workforce recruitment, student and faculty 
assistance, training, and placement of health professionals to serve in 
underserved areas; (2) directs the bureau's health professions 
workforce data collection and analysis efforts in support of BHW's 
programs, and provides oversight for the evaluation of grantee 
performance and program outcomes; (3) guides and supports work

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of advisory councils, and coordinates the bureau's Federal Advisory 
Committees' management activities; (4) provides leadership, and guides 
bureau programs in recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce; (5) 
establishes program goals, objectives, and priorities, and provides 
oversight as to their execution; (6) maintains effective relationships 
within HRSA and with other federal and nonfederal agencies, state, and 
local governments, and other public and private organizations concerned 
with health workforce development and improving access to health care 
for the nation's underserved; (7) represents the bureau, agency, and 
federal government, as designated, on national committees maintaining 
effective relationships within HRSA and with other federal and non-
federal agencies, state and local governments, and other public and 
private organizations concerned with health personnel development, and 
improving access to health care for the nation's underserved; (8) 
plans, directs, coordinates, and evaluates bureau-wide management 
activities, i.e., budget, personnel, procurements, delegations of 
authority, and responsibilities related to the awarding of the BHW 
funds; and (9) coordinates, reviews, and provides clearance of 
correspondence and official documents entering and leaving the bureau.

Executive Office (RQ)

    The Executive Office collaborates with BHW leadership to plan, 
coordinate, and direct bureau-wide administrative management 
activities. Specifically: (1) Executes the bureau's budget; (2) 
provides human resource services regarding all aspects of personnel 
management, workforce planning, and the allocation and utilization of 
personnel resources; (3) coordinates the business management functions 
for the bureau's grants programs; (4) plans, directs, and coordinates 
bureau-wide administrative management activities, i.e., budget, 
personnel, procurements, delegations of authority, and responsibilities 
related to the awarding of BHW funds; (5) coordinates and supports the 
Bureau's quality and internal control efforts; (6) provides additional 
support services including the acquisition, management, and maintenance 
of supplies, equipment, space, training, and travel; and (7) assumes 
special projects or takes responsibility for issues as tasked by the 
bureau's leadership.

Division of Policy and Shortage Designation (RQ1)

    The Division of Policy and Shortage Designation serves as the focal 
point for the development of the BHW programs and policies. 
Specifically: (1) Leads and coordinates the analysis, development, and 
drafting of policies impacting bureau programs; (2) coordinates program 
planning, and tracking of legislation and other information related to 
BHW's programs; (3) directly supports national efforts to analyze and 
address equitable distribution of health professionals for access to 
health care for underserved populations; (4) reviews requests for and 
designates health professional shortage areas and medically-underserved 
areas and populations; (5) finalizes designation policies and 
procedures for both current and proposed designation criteria; (6) 
oversees grants to state primary care offices and conducts all business 
management aspects of the review, negotiation, award, and 
administration of these grants; (7) provides oversight, processing, and 
coordination for the HHS sponsored J1-visa program; (8) works 
collaboratively with other components within HRSA and HHS, and with 
other federal agencies, state, and local governments, and other public 
and private organizations on issues affecting BHW's programs and 
policies; (9) performs environmental scanning on issues that affect 
BHW's programs and assesses the impact of programs on underserved 
communities; (10) monitors BHW's activities in relation to HRSA's 
strategic plan; (11) develops budget projections and justifications; 
and (12) serves as the bureau's focal point for program information.

Division of Business Operations (RQ2)

    The Division of Business Operations serves as the focal point for 
the bureau's data management systems, reports, data analysis, and 
automation of business processes to support the administration of BHW 
programs. Specifically: (1) Provides leadership for implementing BHW's 
systems development, enhancement, and administration; (2) designs and 
implements data systems to assess and improve program performance; (3) 
provides user support and training to facilitate the effectiveness of 
the bureau's information systems and deliver excellent customer service 
to internal and external stake holders; and (4) ensures that data 
management systems and other tools continue to evolve to support 
changes to program policy, process, and data throughout the bureau.

Division of External Affairs (RQ3)

    The Division of External Affairs provides communication and public 
affairs expertise to the bureau and serves as the focal point for the 
development of all external communication as well as dissemination of 
public information and promotional materials in support of the bureau's 
programs and activities. Specifically the division: (1) Leads, 
coordinates, and conducts outreach and engagement strategies for 
various audiences including students, clinicians, health care sites, 
and critical shortage facilities, as well as workforce grantees and 
applicants; (2) coordinates and conducts the bureau's virtual events 
for clinicians, grantees, sites, and applicants; (3) establishes and 
manages partner collaborations with national organizations and academic 
institutions; (4) develops and implements communication initiatives to 
promote the bureau's programs to target audiences; and (5) maintains 
responsibility for all targeted communication initiatives.

National Center for Health Workforce Analysis (RQ4)

    The National Center for Health Workforce Analysis is the focal 
point for the coordination and management of the bureau's health 
professions workforce data collection, analysis, and evaluation 
efforts. The National Center for Health Workforce Analysis leads and 
monitors the development of workforce projections relating to BHW 
programs and acts as a national resource for such information and data.

Division of Medicine and Dentistry (RQ5)

    The Division of Medicine and Dentistry serves as the bureau's lead 
for the program administration and oversight of medical and dental 
programs. Specifically: (1) Administers grants to educational 
institutions and other eligible organizations for the development, 
improvement, and operation of educational programs for primary care 
physicians (pre-doctoral, residency), physician assistants, dentists 
and dental hygienists, including support for community-based training 
and funding for faculty development to teach in primary care 
specialties training; (2) provides technical assistance and 
consultation to grantee institutions and other governmental and private 
organizations on the operation of these educational programs; (3) 
evaluates programmatic data and promotes the dissemination and 
application of findings arising from

[[Page 81343]]

supported programs; (4) collaborates within the bureau to identify and 
support analytical studies to determine the present and future supply 
and requirements of physicians, dentists, dental hygienists, and 
physician assistants by specialty, geographic location, and for state 
planning efforts; (5) encourages community-based training opportunities 
for primary care providers, particularly in underserved areas; (6) 
provides leadership and staff support for the Advisory Committee on 
Training in Primary Care Medicine and Dentistry, Advisory Committee on 
Interdisciplinary Community-Based Linkages, and for the Council on 
Graduate Medical Education; and (7) represents the bureau, agency, and 
federal government, as designated, on national committees maintaining 
effective relationships within HRSA and with other federal and non-
federal agencies, state and local governments, and other public and 
private organizations concerned with health personnel development and 
improving access to health care for the nation's underserved.

Division of Nursing and Public Health (RQ6)

    The Division of Nursing and Public Health serves as the bureau's 
lead for the administration and oversight of nursing, behavioral and 
public health programs. Specifically: (1) Administers grants and 
provides technical assistance to educational institutions and other 
eligible entities in support of nursing education, practice, retention, 
diversity, and faculty development; (2) administers grants and provides 
technical assistance to educational institutions and other eligible 
entities in support of behavioral and public health education and 
practice; (3) addresses nursing workforce shortages through projects 
that focus on expanding enrollment in baccalaureate programs, and 
develops internships, residency programs, and other training mechanisms 
to improve the preparation of nurses, and behavioral and public health 
professionals, providing care for underserved populations; (4) 
collaborates within the bureau to identify and support analytical 
studies to determine the present and future supply and requirements for 
nurses, and behavioral and public health professionals; (5) evaluates 
programmatic data and promotes the dissemination and application of 
findings arising from supported programs; (6) provides staff support, 
and the Director, on behalf of the Secretary, serves as the Chair of 
the National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice; and (7) 
represents the bureau, agency, and federal government, as designated, 
on national committees maintaining effective relationships within HRSA 
and with other federal and non-federal agencies, state and local 
governments, and other public and private organizations concerned with 
health personnel development, and improving access to health care for 
the nation's underserved.

Division of Practitioner Data Bank (RQ7)

    The Division of Practitioner Data Bank coordinates with the 
department and other federal entities, state licensing boards, 
national, state, and local professional organizations, to promote 
quality assurance efforts and deter fraud and abuse by administering 
the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB). Specifically, the division: 
(1) Monitors adverse licensure information on all licensed health care 
practitioners and health care entities; (2) develops, proposes, and 
monitors efforts for (a) credentialing assessment, granting of 
privileges, monitoring and evaluating programs for physicians, 
dentists, other health care professionals, (b) professional peer review 
to promote an evaluation of the competence, professional conduct, or 
the quality and appropriateness of patient care provided by health care 
practitioners, and (c) risk management and utilization reviews; (3) 
encourages and supports evaluation and demonstration projects and 
research using NPDB data on medical malpractice payments and adverse 
actions taken against practitioners' licenses, clinical privileges, 
professional society memberships, and eligibility to participate in 
Medicare/Medicaid; (4) ensures integrity of data collection, follows 
all disclosure procedures without fail; (5) conducts and supports 
research based on the NPDB data; (6) maintains active consultative 
relations with professional organizations, societies, and federal 
agencies involved with the NPDB; (7) works with the Secretary's office 
to provide technical assistance to states undertaking malpractice 
reform; and (8) maintains effective relations with the Office of the 
General Counsel, the Office of the Inspector General, and HHS 
concerning practitioner licensing and data bank issues.

Division of Participant Support and Compliance (RQ8)

    The Division of Participant Support and Compliance serves as the 
organizational focal point for the bureau's centralized, comprehensive 
customer service function to support individual program participants. 
The Division provides regular and ongoing communication, technical 
assistance, and support to program participants through the period of 
obligated service and closeout. Specifically: (1) Manages the staff and 
daily operations of the bureau's centralized customer service function; 
(2) initiates contact with and monitors program participants throughout 
their service; (3) manages clinician support, employment verification, 
site status changes/transfers, in-service reviews; (4) provides 
oversight and approval of the default, suspension, and waiver 
processes; (5) oversees the approval process and response for exception 
requests and congressional inquiries; (6) manages the 6-month 
verification process; (7) conducts closeout activities for each program 
participant and issues completion certificates; (8) manages the monthly 
payroll for NURSE Corps Loan Repayment Program participants; and (9) 
maintains program participants' case files in the bureau's management 
information system.

Division of Health Careers and Financial Support (RQ9)

    The Division of Health Careers and Financial Support serves as the 
point of contact for responding to inquiries; disseminating program 
information; providing technical assistance; administering grants, 
developing appropriate policies and procedures; and processing 
applications and awards pertaining to health workforce scholarship, 
loan, loan repayment, and pipeline development programs. Specifically: 
(1) Reviews, ranks, and selects participants and grantees for NURSE 
Corps, Faculty Loan Repayment Program, Native Hawaiian Health 
Scholarship Program, and other discretionary grant programs that 
provide scholarships, loans, and loan repayment to students, health 
professionals and faculty; (2) verifies and processes loan and lender 
related payments in prescribed manner and maintains current information 
on NURSE Corps and other scholarship, loan, and loan repayment 
applications and awards through automated BHW information systems; (3) 
manages NURSE Corps scholar in-school activities; (4) facilitates NURSE 
Corps scholar placement; and (5) administers grants and provides 
technical assistance to educational institutions and other eligible 
entities for the development of a diverse and culturally competent 
health workforce.

[[Page 81344]]

Division of National Health Service Corps (RQC)

    The Division of National Health Service Corps serves as the point 
of contact for responding to inquiries, disseminating program 
information, providing technical assistance, and processing 
applications and awards pertaining to the NHSC scholarship and loan 
repayment programs. Specifically: (1) Reviews, ranks, and selects 
participants for the scholarship and loan repayment programs; (2) 
verifies and processes loan and lender related payments in prescribed 
manner and maintains current information on scholarship and loan 
repayment applications and awards through automated BHW information 
systems; (3) manages scholar in-school and post-graduate training 
activities; (4) administers the NHSC State Loan Repayment Program; and 
(5) provides leadership and staff support for the NHSC National 
Advisory Committee.

Division of Regional Operations (RQD)

    The Division of Regional Operations serves as the regional 
component of BHW, cutting across divisions and working with the bureau 
programs that fund participants to serve in Health Professions Shortage 
Areas. Specifically, the Regional Offices support the bureau by: (1) 
Providing support for the recruitment and retention of primary health 
care providers in Health Professions Shortage Areas; (2) coordinating 
with state and regional level partners and stakeholders, and health 
professions schools in support of the BHW programs and initiatives; (3) 
reviewing and approving/disapproving NHSC site applications and 
recertification's; (4) completing NHSC site visits and providing 
technical assistance to sites; and (5) managing the scholar placement 
process.

Delegations of Authority

    All delegations of authority and re-delegations of authority made 
to HRSA officials that were in effect immediately prior to this 
reorganization, and that are consistent with this reorganization, shall 
continue in effect pending further re-delegation.
    This reorganization is effective upon date of signature.

    Dated: December 11, 2015.
James Macrae,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2015-32749 Filed 12-28-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4165-15-P