[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 93 (Friday, May 13, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29340-29346]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-10312]



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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Indian Health Service


Organization, Functions, and Delegations of Authority, Part GFJ, 
Indian Health Service, Navajo Area Office

    Part GFJ, of the Statement of Organization, Functions, and 
Delegations of Authority of the Department of Health and Human Services 
(HHS), as amended at 52 FR 47053-67, December 11, 1987, as amended at 
60 FR 56606, November 9, 1995, as amended at 61 FR 67048, December 19, 
1996, as amended at 69 FR 41825, July 12, 2004, as amended at 70 FR 
24087, May 6, 2005, 70 FR 60350, October 17, 2005, and most recently 
amended at Vol 79, No 68 FR 19626, April 9, 2014, is hereby amended to 
reflect a reorganization of the Navajo Area Indian Health Service 
(NAIHS). The purpose of this re-organization proposal is to update the 
current approved NAIHS organization to align the overall health care 
system that supports overall improved efficiency and ensure quality and 
safe health care services. Delete and/or update functional statements 
for the NAIHS in their entirety and replace with the following:

Organizations and Functions

Department of Health and Human Services
Indian Health Service (G)
Navajo Area Indian Health Service (GFJ)

Office of the Area Director (GFJ1)

    (1) Plans, develops and directs the Area Program within the 
framework of Indian Health Service (IHS) policy in pursuit of the IHS 
mission; (2) delivers and ensures the delivery of high quality 
comprehensive health services; (3) coordinates the IHS activities and 
resources internally and externally with those of other governmental 
and nongovernmental programs; (4) promotes optimum utilization of 
health care services through management and delivery of services to 
American Indians and Alaska Natives; (5) Ensures the full application 
of the principles of Indian preference and a model Equal Employment 
Opportunity (EEO) program; (6) provides Indian Tribes and other Indian 
community groups with optional ways of participating in the Indian 
health programs including an opportunity to participate in developing 
the mission, values and goals for the NAIHS; (7) participates in cross-
cutting issues and processes, including, but not limited to emergency 
preparedness/security, budget formulation, self-determination issues, 
Tribal shares computations and resolution of audit findings as may be 
needed and appropriate.

Diversity Management and Equal Employment Opportunity (DMEEO) Program 
(GFJ1A)

    (1) The DMEEO Program will ensure Equal Employment Opportunities 
for Federal employment for a Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive work 
environment; (2) maintains a compliant model EEO Program, as required 
under both Title VII of Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 
2000e, and Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, 
29 U.S.C. 791; (3) ensures the full application of the principles of 
Indian preference; (4) maintains a compliant model EEO Program, as 
required under both Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; MD-110, 
and applicable employment laws; (5) advises the Area Director and 
leadership in the execution of EEO responsibilities; (6) provides 
program direction and leadership for the Area EEO program and 
procedures; (7) ensures prohibition of unlawful discrimination 
practices in Federal employment for employees and applicants; (8) 
provides the rights, responsibilities, and protections under the 
Federal anti-discrimination laws that prohibit discrimination in the 
workplace based on race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, (including 
pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, 
age (40 years of age or over), disability (physical or mental), genetic 
information (family medical history), or in retaliation for EEO or 
whistleblower activity.

Office of Administration and Management (GFJ2)

    (1) Plans, directs, and coordinates NAIHS activities in the areas 
of policy, internal controls reviews, financial management, human 
resources management, third-party reimbursements, contracts management, 
procurement, and information technology, including personal property, 
records and transportation accountability/management; (2) 
administrative and management oversight of Gallup Regional Supply 
Center; (3) serves as the NAIHS principal advisor on all Area 
organization and management policy activities; (4) provides guidance 
and assistance to Service Units in the overall development, planning 
and implementation of administrative functions; (5) advises staff on 
procedures for the development, revision, or cancellation of Area-
issued directives and delegations.

Division of Financial Management (GFJ2A)

    (1) Provides direction for the organization, coordination, and 
execution of all budget and financial operations of the Area; (2) 
monitors fund control operations of Service Units and program offices; 
(3) develops and implements budget, fiscal, and accounting procedures; 
(4) conducts reviews and analyses to ensure compliance with Area 
policy; (5) interprets policies, guidelines, manual issuances, Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB) circulars, directives and other 
instructions issued by IHS, HHS, OMB, and Congress as it relates to the 
formulation of Area and Service Unit budgets and budget execution; (6) 
develops and makes recommendations of Area budget execution by Service 
Units; (7) establishes and maintains memorandum accounts of obligations 
for allowances through use of commitment registers; (8) monitors and 
ensures proper obligation of prior year funds and; (9) provides 
technical support for Tribal relations pertinent to budget activities 
such as annual budget formulation, Tribal Health Programs Annual 
Funding Agreements and their budget modifications.

Branch of Accounting (GFJ2A1)

    (1) Provides advice and guidance to Area and Service Unit staff in 
the areas of Accounts Payable, Cash Management, Federal/Inter-agency 
Transactions, and Travel; (2) advises Area and Service Unit staff on 
the interpretation of accounting data and reports received from IHS 
Headquarters (HQ); (3) assures that accounting transactions are entered 
properly and prepares periodic or special purpose reports and financial 
statements for Area Divisions and Service Units; (4) provides 
interpretation and ensures compliance with operating policies, 
procedures, guidelines via Federal Travel Regulations, Federal Property 
Management Regulations, Joint Travel Regulations, HHS Travel Manual, 
Indian Health Manual-Travel Management; (5) participates in 
reconciliations of all funding sources (Federal, Tribal, and Urban) on 
a regular basis; (6) completes Debt Management.

Branch of Third Party (GF2A3)

    (1) Provides interpretation and ensures compliance with the IHS 
Indian Health Manual Part 5, Chapter 1 (Third-Party Revenue Accounts 
Management and Internal Controls), On-line Reporting Tool Manual, Debt

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Management, Recovery of Funds Under Federal Medical Care Recovery Act 
(FMCRA) Policy, NAO Business Office Report Internal Policy, and other 
pertinent policies; (2) plans and coordinates and provides oversight of 
third party revenue accounts management of NAIHS facilities, including 
standardized reports and reporting; (3) provides technical assistance 
and guidance to Service Unit third-party staff in areas of patient 
registration, patient benefits coordination, billing, denial 
management, accounts receivable, internal audits, and pertinent 
requirements; (4) establishes liaison and coordinates Medicare/Medicaid 
activities with State agencies, including policy interpretation; (5) 
ensures accurate and current information and trends, including analysis 
of trends, are consistently available to the NAIHS executives and 
Service Unit Chief Executive Officers.

Branch of Budget (GFJ2A2)

    (1) Ensures accurate and current information are available at all 
times for the NAIHS Executive Staff, Division Directors, and Service 
Unit management teams; (2) ensures that funds are allotted properly and 
accounted for in line with acceptable Federal accounting practices; (3) 
analyzes obligation trends and prepares periodic reports and; (4) 
assures that reconciliations of all funding sources (Federal, Tribal, 
and Urban) are accomplished on a regular basis.

Gallup Regional Supply Service Center (GFJ2B)

    (1) Responsible for the overall management of expendable medical 
supplies such as provides bulk supply support directly to federal and 
Public Law 93-638 Service Units/healthcare facilities located in 
Arizona and New Mexico through management and operation of laboratory, 
dental, medical, subsistence, and general medical supply items; (2) 
plans, develops, and manages supply budgets; (3) provides technical and 
staff assistance to Service Units in matters related to the 
acquisition, utilization, disposition, and accountability of supplies; 
(4) serves as the Regional emergency management response team for 
logistical coordination of medical supplies; (5) provides technical 
expertise and recommendations for automated logistical software 
requirements for just in time delivery product management.

Division of Acquisition Management and Contracts (GFJ2C)

    (1) Plans, develops, and coordinates the execution of 
administrative systems, methods, and techniques for Area procurement 
activities; (2) provides guidance to Service Units on the 
administrative aspects of Federal contracting, procurement, and grant 
requirements; (3) serves as the principal focus for liaison activities 
regarding the administrative aspects of procurements, intra/inter-
agency agreements, collaborative agreements, Memorandum of Agreements 
(MOA) and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), etc.; (4) determines and 
delegates procurement authority; (5) administers the purchase card 
program; (6) provides planning, direction, monitoring, and evaluation 
assistance to Service Units on procurement functions; (7) ensures 
compliance with applicable Federal regulations and statutes; (8) audits 
in-progress and completed work of the Area Office and Service Units; 
(9) prepares and issues internal and field policy and guidance; (10) 
serves as NAIHS Ombudsman for development and fostering of contractual 
relationships; (11) provides technical assistance to non-acquisition 
personnel in the government.

Division of Information Technology (GFJ2D)

    (1) Plans, coordinates and assists in implementation of new 
software/hardware in support of clinical care, including assists in 
deployment of clinical software/hardware for electronic health records 
and associated Information Technology (IT) programs and systems; (2) 
Provides direction, supervision and management of all activities 
related to data processing, word processing, networking, video-
conferencing, digital imaging transmission, computer security, 
telecommunications and archiving; (3) provides direct services through 
operation and management of associated automated data processing 
hardware and software; (4) provides technical assistance in related 
activities involving systems design, development, implementation, 
testing and training throughout the NAIHS, including staff assistance 
to Area and Service Unit staff; (5) provides data processing services, 
including computer operations, and information retrieval and analysis 
for operational data systems within the NAIHS; (6) performs systems 
analysis, computer programming, computer systems security, system 
implementation and user training for the Area's data system; (7) 
ensures security of government IT systems, privacy of patient 
information, and compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and 
policies applicable to the IHS; (8) advises the Area executive 
management staff on effective, efficient, and successful IT strategies; 
(9) directs the acquisition, development, enhancement, deployment, 
support, and training for information systems that support health 
services and business operations of NAIHS; (10) participates in cross-
government initiatives and collaborates with IHS Headquarters, IHS 
Areas, Tribal, and other partners to effectively and efficiently 
support NAIHS objectives and; (11) ensures a viable security program 
for protection of the NAIHS and Gallup Regional Services Supply Center 
(GRSSC) grounds and buildings; (12) assists as the administrative 
authority on Capital Investment Planning Program for all non-expendable 
equipment.

Branch of Systems Administration (GFJ2D1)

    (1) Provides overall system administration support functions for 
the NAIHS and Service Unit Resource and Patient Management System 
(RPMS), Microsoft [supreg]Windows(copyright), Unix and Commercial Off 
The Shelf operating systems; (2) plans, develops, and manages the NAIHS 
website; (3) monitors and ensures all security requirements are met or 
exceeded; (4) develops applications for administrative, financial and 
clinical reporting requirements; (5) evaluates new technologies and 
internet services.

Information Systems Security Staff (GFJ2D3)

    (1) Develops and monitors information systems security requirements 
for NAIHS; (2) plans, develops, and monitors security policies, 
procedures and requirements for the Area Office and Service Units; (3) 
installs, manages and monitors security systems to protect patient 
privacy and confidentiality; (4) plans, designs and implements network 
and telecommunications systems to provide optimum voice, video and data 
transmission; (5) manages and monitors a wide area network and local 
area networks for optimum digital imaging/telehealth utilization and 
availability.

Policy, Planning, and Management Staff (GFJ2D4)

    (1) Coordinates and promotes the NAIHS IT strategic planning 
initiatives; (2) monitors, develops and manages the NAIHS information 
systems policies and procedures; (3) consults with administrative 
services and

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management regarding information systems initiatives and provides IT 
support; (4) maintains, monitors and coordinates the RPMS system-wide 
data elements requirements; (5) assembles performance improvement 
measurements required by The Joint Commission (TJC) or Centers for 
Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Property and Supply Management Staff (GFJ2D5)

    (1) Provides leadership, direction and overall management of all 
personal property in key areas of planning, accountability, 
utilization, control, and disposal; (2) provides guidance on Area 
property management procedures including property accounting and 
reporting instructions; (3) executes physical inventories including the 
reconciliation of inventory reports and standard general ledger 
accounts; (4) documents all transactions affecting personal property; 
(5) provides technical assistance Area-wide on property software 
packages, e.g., Sunflower Assets; (6) provides overall management of 
Area Office expendable office and federal forms supplies to include 
reliability, timeliness, quality, service and cost effectiveness; (7) 
provides technical and staff assistance to Area and Service Units on 
matters related to the acquisition, utilization, disposition, and 
accountability of equipment; (8) plans, develops, coordinates, and 
provides internal audit activities related to all-encompassing 
Logistical Management functions: Office services, Federal Records 
Management and delegation/directives control, personal property 
management, and other administrative services in support of Area 
programs; (9) provides guidance to Service Units in the operation and 
evaluation of procurement and acquisition of equipment, office 
services, and transportation; (10) serves as the subject matter expert 
on Federal personal property management laws, rules, regulations, 
policies, procedures, and practices

Office of Clinical Services (GFJ3)

    (1) Ensures the delivery of safe and comprehensive care to all 
primary care and specialty care patients in NAIHS; (2) Responsible for 
all health programs ensuring safe quality care for all patients in the 
NAIHS; (3) The Chief Medical Officer assists the Clinical Directors and 
Chief Nurse Executives by supporting Area-wide initiatives to provide 
patient access, safety and satisfaction as well as the financial 
performance of clinical services; (4) provides consultation and 
technical assistance to all operating and management levels of the 
NAIHS and Indian Tribes in the design and implementation of a health 
management delivery system; (5) provides guidance and support to all 
field activities related to the day-to-day delivery of health care; (6) 
provides Area-wide leadership in Clinical programs in relation to the 
IHS goals, objectives, policies, and priorities; (7) provides direction 
for the operation of the healthcare delivery activities of the NAIHS; 
(8) handles all logistics associated with the conduct of clinical 
program reviews of Service Units; (9) directs the development and 
implementation of health care standards, quality control and quality 
assurance, operational planning activities and reviews of clinical 
programs; (10) provides leadership, guidance, and coordination of the 
clinical manpower and training programs.

Division of Clinical Consultants (GFJ3A)

    (1) Provides technical support expertise to Service Units; (2) 
provides professional guidance in formulating policies, procedures and 
standards of care and practices; ensures Area-wide compliance with 
established policies, procedures and regulations; (3) advises on 
assessment findings for potential implications for NAIHS policy, plans, 
programs and operations; (4) develops quality of care evaluation 
criteria, standards of care, and guidance for the maintenance of the 
quality assurance programs of the NAIHS; (5) conducts monitoring 
activities to assess the quality of care provided by the NAIHS.

Division of Purchased/Referred Care (GFJ3B)

    (1) Establishes and provides organization, coordination, and 
implementation of policies and procedures for Purchased/Referred Care 
(PRC) operations, utilizing managed care concepts; (2) coordinates the 
development of an annual budget, with advice of allowance, for PRC fund 
control activities; (3) coordinates and evaluates medical, preventive, 
and hospital services provided through formal contractual procedures; 
(4) implements and administers a PRC quality assurance program that is 
data based and verifiable for monitoring the quality of PRC; (5) 
establishes strategic PRC plans that are developed to support 
organizations, issues, or work processes; (6) coordinates and 
implements information resources related processes that integrate 
selected techniques/methods with PRC systems to solve processes/
problems; (7) coordinates and analyzes appeal cases, high cost care 
cases, and deferred PRC services.

Professional Recruitment Staff (GFJ3G)

    (1) Develops the NAIHS program to recruit, assign and retain health 
care professionals; (2) assesses the professional staffing needs, 
coordinates the development of strategies to satisfy these needs, and 
increase the morale and retention of all professionals; (3) provides 
liaison with Commissioned Corps activities; (4) maintains contact with 
related professional societies, educational institutions, and other 
Federal, State and local agencies; (5) coordinates professional 
recruitment, assignment and development of Dental Officers for the 
Area; (6) enhances partnerships with Tribal healthcare organizations 
that are administered by the Navajo Nation and its contractors by 
providing recruitment and retention activities for the organizations 
that have left Tribal shares at the Area Office for this purpose.

Office of Environmental Health and Engineering (GFJ4)

    (1) Establishes policies related to NAIHS health care and 
sanitation facilities planning, construction, operations, and 
maintenance; (2) provides leadership, guidance and coordination to the 
overall Navajo facilities management programs; (3) develops and 
coordinates program requirements for planning, design and evaluation of 
health care and sanitation facilities; (4) develops, coordinates, and 
evaluates technical standards, guides, plans and requirements for 
health care and sanitation facilities construction requirements within 
the NAIHS; (5) provides leadership, guidance, and coordination to the 
overall Area Biomedical Engineering Program and the Occupational Health 
and Safety Management Programs; (6) allocates appropriation funds to 
all Office of Environmental Health and Engineering (OEHE) programs and 
projects; (7) provides non-legal advice to the Area on Public Law 93-
638 as it relates to OEHE services and activities.

Division of Environmental Health Services (GFJ4A)

    (1) Plans, develops and appraises Area-wide environmental health 
services programs; (2) provides technical assistance to the Service 
Units and the Tribes on the implementation of comprehensive 
environmental health programs and services among Indian families and 
communities; (3) provides technical assistance on environmental health 
including institutional environmental health and plan reviews, vector 
control, epidemiology, sanitary facilities, and food sanitation to the 
IHS,

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Tribes and Federal and State agencies; (4) plans and implements an 
integrated Area-wide injury prevention and control program designed to 
reduce injury deaths and hospitalizations; (5) coordinates 
environmental responses to emerging diseases with Tribes, States, and 
other Federal agencies; (6) manages and administers a Web-based 
environmental health database that helps determine resource requirement 
allocations.

Division of Sanitation Facilities Construction Services (GFJ4B)

    (1) Administers the Indian Sanitation Facilities Construction 
Program through Public Law 86-121; (2) plans, develops, coordinates, 
appraises and evaluates Area-wide sanitation facilities construction 
activities conducted in cooperation with Tribal groups and other 
agencies; (3) provides engineering consultation regarding 
environmentally related public health programs; (4) provides technical 
liaison with other Governmental agencies, foundations and groups 
relative to public health engineering and environmental health; (5) 
provides personnel staffing, training, orientation, and development; 
(6) ensures professional/technical/environmental standards compliance 
and support; (7) provides National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 
compliance documentation, approval, and support; (8) provides right-of-
way easement documents, approval, and support; (9) provides specialty 
use/construction permits, approval, and support; (10) provides project 
funding document preparation, production, approval, and support; (11) 
coordinates multi-agency funded projects coordination, procurement, and 
task tracking; (12) provides procurement/warehousing/inventory of 
office and special order project materials/equipment/services; (13) 
provides project services, materials, equipment, and construction via 
Memorandum of Agreements and Public Law 93-638 contracts with Navajo 
Engineering Construction Authority and Navajo Tribal Utility Authority; 
(14) provides vehicle fleet maintenance, management, and support; (15) 
provides project electrical design, services, and support; (16) 
provides project accounting and payment services and/or support; (17) 
provides project final inspection/transfer process documentation, 
tracking, approval, and support; (18) provides technical support for 
writing, completion, and distribution of project final reports; (19) 
coordinates feasibility studies related to Tribal, Tribal Chapter, and 
other outside agency requests.

Division of Facility Planning and Management (GFJ4C)

    (1) Develops and coordinates program requirements for planning, 
design and evaluation of health care facilities in the NAIHS; (2) 
develops, coordinates, and evaluates technical standards, guidelines, 
plans, and requirements for health care facilities construction 
requirements within NAIHS; (3) develops and coordinates facility 
construction programs; (4) provides technical assistance and monitors 
NAIHS and Tribal facilities planning and construction programs; (5) 
coordinates inter-agency requirements for shared or cooperative 
projects with agencies such as Department of Defense, Department of 
Veterans Affairs, State, Tribal, and regional planning bodies; (6) 
provides technical assistance and consultation to the Tribal Government 
to assist and brief those organizations on the progress of planning, 
design and construction projects; (7) ensures compliance with NEPA and 
other environmental regulations in planning, design and construction of 
health care facilities, support buildings, major renovations/expansions 
to existing facilities and staff quarters; (8) responsible for real 
property asset accountability of all IHS government property; (9) 
responsible for budget accounting for all construction projects for all 
funding sources; (10) provides non-legal advice the NAIHS on Public Law 
93-638 as it relates to OEHE services and activities.

Facility Planning Staff (GFJ4C1)

    (1) Provides leadership and guidance on health planning, program 
planning, health systems planning, (2) provides coordination for the 
Area including updates of Area Master Plans for Health Services, 
including current and proposed new health services, new health 
facilities, staff housing/quarters, and staffing requirements for 
current and future needs.

Division of Biomedical Engineering (GFJ4D)

    (1) Plans, develops, coordinates, appraises and evaluates Area-wide 
biomedical engineering programs; (2) assesses Service Unit biomedical 
engineering needs and develops appropriate action programs and 
modification to existing program functions; (3) coordinates staff 
assignments, designs medical equipment training and education programs 
for hospital and clinical staff and career development activities for 
the NAIHS; (4) provides engineering and technical assistance and 
consultation on biomedical engineering and telemedicine equipment, 
purchases, modifications, installation and hospital renovation and 
construction projects; (5) coordinates safety and emergency response 
planning activities; (6) ensures compliance with applicable regulatory 
requirements from various professional organizations and entities 
including the National Fire Protection Agency, Association for the 
Advancement of Medical Instrumentation, TJC, Food and Drug 
Administration, etc.; (7) coordinates the modification, installation 
and design of medical, dental, and radiology equipment; (8) assesses 
and minimizes the clinical and physical risk of equipment use on 
patients and clinical staff through equipment maintenance, inspection, 
testing and quality assurance and risk management programs; (9) 
supports direct patient care programs by maintaining and certifying the 
operation and safety of all medical equipment; (10) provides 
specialized biomedical engineering equipment repair for all dental, 
medical, and radiology equipment; (11) coordinates and monitors complex 
medical and laboratory contracts Area-wide; (12) provides design and 
engineering of a Picture Archiving and Communication System for 
radiology functions and recommends telemedicine applications for the 
clinical need and mission of NAIHS; (13) specifies and designs 
telecommunications requirements for telemedicine to ensure sufficient 
bandwidth is available for the telemedicine programs.

Division of Occupational Health and Safety Management (GFJ4E)

    (1) Performs industrial hygiene activities including compliance 
surveys of radiographic equipment; (2) assesses radiation exposure to 
patients; (3) provides quality assurance assessment of medical imaging 
processing; (4) provides surveys of occupational exposure to nitrous 
oxide, ethylene oxide, anesthetic gases, mercury and other chemical 
hazards; (5) evaluates ventilation systems in negative pressure 
isolation rooms, operating rooms and dental operations; (6) provides 
ergonomic analyses of workstations and high risk occupations; (7) 
provides safety and infection control program development and 
evaluation including training and consultative assistance for safety 
officers and infection control practitioners; (8) provides compliance 
reviews of existing policies and procedures; (9) develops model 
policies and procedures; (10) provides safety and infection control 
program accreditation compliance reviews; (11) provides

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occupational safety and infection control training for Service Unit 
staff; (12) provides environmental sampling to include sample 
collection and analysis of suspected asbestos-containing materials, 
lead-based paint and quantification of indoor air contaminants; (13) 
performs environmental assessments which include surveys to determine 
Service Unit compliance with Federal, State and local environmental 
regulations; (14) coordinates facilities management to conduct life 
safety code (building fire safety component) surveys; (15) conducts 
construction plan reviews for new construction and renovation; (16) 
consults with and advocates for facility managers on life safety code 
compliance issues.

Division of Administrative Support (GFJ4G)

    (1) Provides administrative direction and guidance to the 
operational Divisions within the NAIHS OEHE, including guidance 
provided to Area, District, and Field Offices located throughout the 
NAIHS; (2) performs accounting services for the OEHE Divisions, 
including planning and implementation of annual OEHE program budgets; 
(3) maintains annual OEHE budget commitment registers; (4) receives and 
approves vendor invoices; (5) provides certification of funds available 
within appropriate electronic financial management and government 
travel systems; (6) ensures proper obligation and expenditure of 
program and project funds; (7) provides overall internal coordination 
with the NAIHS Division of Financial Management and the Division of 
Acquisition Management and Contracts, ensures appropriate financial 
transactions, documentation and reporting; (8) advises the OEHE 
Director on NAIHS OEHE IT needs and requirements, including computer 
equipment, computer networking, electronic mail, internet connectivity, 
new technologies, information system security awareness and compliance, 
and information system continuity of operations plans; (9) provides 
technical consultation and direct assistance to OEHE staff stationed at 
Area, District, and Field Offices concerning hardware and software 
installation, configuration, maintenance and repair; (10) assesses and 
monitors OEHE professional staffing needs; (11) coordinates with 
Division Directors to develop strategies to meet the needs and increase 
the morale and retention of OEHE staff; (12) works with Human Resources 
to prepare vacancy announcements and process personnel orders for civil 
servants and Commissioned Corps Officers; (13) encourages full program 
support and compliance concerning Indian preference and EEO 
requirements in hiring and managing staff; (14) oversees the OEHE staff 
professional development program; (15) receives, reviews, and processes 
OEHE training authorization documents to support continuing education 
and improved competencies among OEHE staff; (16) supports staff 
individual development plans (IDPs) and ensures training requests are 
consistent with established IDPs; (17) provides program management of 
OEHE personal property in terms of accountability, utilization, 
control, and disposal; (18) provides guidance on OEHE property 
management procedures including property accounting and reporting 
instructions; (19) documents all transactions affecting OEHE personal 
property; (20) assists the OEHE Director with Public Law 93-638 issues; 
(21) participates in formal Public Law 93-638 negotiations with the 
Navajo Nation and Tribal Organizations authorized by Navajo Nation to 
contract pursuant to Public Law 93-638; (22) serves as members of the 
NAIHS Incident Response Team.

Office of Tribal Partnerships and Liaison (GFJ5)

    In support of the IHS mission, the Office of Tribal Partnership and 
External Affairs: (1) Provides leadership and partnership efforts on 
Tribal and urban Indian health activities in implementation of Title I 
and Title V of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance 
Act and Title V of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act; (2) 
responsible for the implementation of policies, procedures, and 
standards for Tribal and urban health programs; (3) serves as the 
liaison between Tribes and headquarters; (4) principal advisor to the 
Area Director and Area; (5) serves as primary source of technical and 
policy advice on Tribal matters.

Indian Self-Determination Staff (GFJ5A)

    (1) Plans, coordinates, and implements all tasks relative to 
contracting/compacting activities pursuant to the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act, Public Law 93-638, as 
amended; (2) advises the Area Director and leadership on the activities 
and issues related to the IHS' implementation of Title V of the Indian 
Health Care Improvement Act, as amended and assures that Urban Indian 
health programs and organizations are informed of pertinent health 
policies; (3) coordinates and effectuates respectful and positive 
relations with Tribal, State and Federal Governments and agencies, and 
intra/inter-agency departments at local and national offices; (4) 
develops supportive relationships with local Tribal Governments and 
Tribal organizations (contractors and compactors); (5) provides advice 
on the effect and impact of IHS policies, plans, programs and 
operations on Tribal operations and relationships; (6) advises and 
reports pertinent data/information to the Area Director, Executive 
Committee, Public Law 93-638 Negotiation Team, Service Unit Chief 
Executive Officers, Tribal Governments, and Tribal organizations 
relative to contracting activities; (7) compiles Area Director Report 
to Navajo Nation legislature on a quarterly basis; (8) in coordination 
with the Office of the General Counsel, provides technical support to 
Office of Environmental Health and Engineering, Area Offices and 
Federal Service Units on Public Law 93-638 issues; (9) oversees the 
negotiation of all self-determination contracts and self-governance 
compacts and funding agreements with participating Tribal governments 
and Tribal organizations; (10) advises on new methods and techniques 
for Indian community participation in, and management of their health 
programs; (11) provides technical assistance in such areas as financial 
resource management (inter/intra-agency); (12) organizes, collaborates, 
promotes and maintains effective Tribal consultation with Tribal 
Government programs, Tribal organizations and Tribal Leaders; (13) 
ensures that urban confer with Urban Indian health programs and 
organizations occurs during the development of IHS policy.

Urban Programs Staff

    (1) Coordinates activities with IHS HQ and NAIHS on relevant Tribal 
and Urban activities; (2) coordinates, assists and monitors inter-
governmental and legislative activity and functions; (3) monitors and 
provides liaison for the maintenance of an effective financial 
management system on all aspects of contract/compact funding; (4) 
participates in cross-cutting issues and processes including, but not 
limited to emergency preparedness/security, budget formulation, self-
determination/self-governance issues, federal and Tribal workgroups, 
and resolution of audit findings as may be needed and appropriate.

Office of Public Health (GFJ6)

    The NAIHS Office of Public Health promotes the health and wellness 
of the Navajo Nation. (1) Works together to

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improve the health status of the Navajo Nation; (2) collaborates with 
the Navajo Nation, State, Tribal, Federal and Universities to maintain 
an active network of public health professionals; (3) utilizes data, 
surveillance, and statistics to monitor public health and eliminate 
health disparities; (4) focuses on prevention, epidemiology, disease 
surveillance, infectious disease control, chronic disease prevention, 
immunizations, and health promotion.

Division of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (HPDP) (GFJ6A)

    (1) Develops, implements, and evaluates HPDP Programs to create a 
healthier Navajo Nation; (2) The Navajo HPDP hosts, coordinates, 
implements, communicates wellness, and disseminates evidence based 
health promotion information to prevent chronic diseases; (3) The 
Navajo HPDP program collaborates with the community and stakeholders to 
promote health and wellness; (4) implements a wide range of preventive 
programs including Just Move It, Acudetox (Ocular Acupuncture), Navajo 
Wellness Model, Basic Tobacco Intervention Skills, Lifestyle Balance, 
School Health Prevention Programs, Physical Activities, Youth Mental 
Health First Aid, and Employee Wellness. Other Areas include: Chronic 
Disease Prevention, Community Health, Immunizations, Nicotine 
Prevention, Behavioral Health, and Health Promotion and Disease 
Prevention.

Diabetes Treatment and Prevention Staff (GFJ6B)

    (1) Works with the Special Diabetes Programs for Indians grants to 
provide diabetes treatment and prevention services to IHS, Tribal and 
Urban Indian health programs.

Branch of Program Statistics (GFJ6C)

    (1) Provides day-to-day technical and scientific planning, 
direction, management, and analyses of infections and/or acute or 
chronic illnesses, injuries, and occupational hazards; (2) serves as a 
technical expert and advisor in epidemiology in the design, conduct, 
and analysis of epidemiologic studies and associated risk factors and 
costs; (3) works closely with epidemiologic and surveillance team 
members in developing data coding, editing, and analysis plans for 
activities and epidemiologic studies; (4) selects and utilizes 
statistical techniques and computer software packages most appropriate 
to the problem at hand; (5) prepares and submits manuscripts for 
presentation at scientific meetings and for publication in scientific 
journals; (6) delivers presentations to public health, medical and 
other professional groups; (7) serves as technical officer for 
collaborative projects with State health departments and other 
governmental and non-governmental agencies and organizations; (8) 
interacts effectively with officials at all levels of Federal and state 
government, private and nonprofit institutions, international health 
agencies, and other health professionals; (9) cooperates with other 
organizational components within IHS to achieve overall objectives; 
(10) provides responses to requests from individuals within and outside 
IHS; (11) provides health care program work conducting and consulting 
on epidemiological studies/issues; (12) provides professional 
consulting services of various health care programs for epidemic/
pandemic issues.

Office of Quality and Patient Safety (GFJ7)

    (1) Advises the NAIHS Area Director on all aspects of assuring 
quality health care and develops and implements a strategic quality 
framework, integrating feedback and inputs from various levels of the 
organization and Tribal/Urban Indian organization partners; (2) 
oversees accreditation readiness activities and compliance with 
accreditation requirements; (3) conducts training and informational 
activities that promote skills development in quality improvement, 
quality assurance, and performance improvement; (4) assesses and 
reports on patient satisfaction and experience using standardized 
survey instruments and processes, and facilitates improvement 
activities; (5) coordinates and organizes participation of NAIHS 
facilities and staff in interagency quality improvement activities; (6) 
develops and monitors quality improvement and assurance metrics for 
health care delivery processes and outcomes, and advises Service Units 
on quality improvement methods to improve support and outcomes of NAIHS 
administrative functions and processes; (7) develops programs to 
assess, address, and continuously improve systems and processes to 
improve health care quality, promote sustained compliance with relevant 
Federal regulations and accreditation and professional standards, 
reduce and improve patient wait times and patient experience of care in 
all related health care settings; (8) consults on and provides guidance 
for standardization of health care delivery policies and protocols; (9) 
develops programs which promote patient safety management and reporting 
systems and processes, sentinel event investigations/root cause 
analysis, and clinical risk management; (10) supports patient-centered 
care processes, engagement of patients as partners in care, and patient 
activation through self-management support and involvement in delivery 
service improvements; (11) participates in cross-cutting issues and 
processes, including but not limited to, emergency preparedness/
security, quality assurance, recruitment, budget formulation, self-
determination issues, and resolution of audit findings as may be needed 
and appropriate.

Division of Patient Safety (GFJ7A)

    (1) Develops and implements a quality program to promote patient 
safety; (2) promotes a culture of safety; (3) provides education; (4) 
establishes and monitors systems and metrics related to patient safety 
events; (5) establishes policy and guidelines to reduce adverse events; 
(6) reduces all types of hospital-acquired conditions, (7) reduces 
hospital readmissions; (8) improves communication with primary care and 
management of community-based resource delivery; (9) promotes sustained 
compliance with relevant federal regulations and accreditation and 
professional standards; (10) coordinates mock surveys; (11) promotes 
accreditation services coordination; (12) provides accreditation 
resource management; (13) provides survey corrective action plan 
development assistance and coordination; (14) maintains accreditation 
and certification survey reports; (15) promotes multidisciplinary 
integration of survey readiness support activities; (16) promotes 
patient safety program; (17) promotes unification of Service Unit 
Quality Managers; (18) promotes quality management practice; (19) 
promotes and embraces new models of care delivery; (20) enhances the 
efficiency of the care delivery process; (21) develops and implements a 
program to support the patient-centered medical home model; (22) 
promotes a competent quality management staff; (23) coordinates 
training and support resources for health care staff; (24) standardizes 
quality management tools and resources; (25) provides leadership 
development and skill building; (26) supports quality assurance and 
quality improvement programs.

Quality Assurance Staff (GFJ7B)

    (1) Optimizes use of health IT and data to enhance health care 
system compliance; (2) assess if patient safety meets standards of 
care; (3) reports quality management data related to

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clinical outcomes; (4) develops quality assurance and control 
activities related to protocols monitoring, data collection, 
abstraction, and data analysis; (4) develops improvement strategies to 
supply data to staff to meet accreditation standards; (5) implements 
quality improvement resources that include Model of Improvement, Six 
Sigma, and evidence-based quality improvement practices; (6) implements 
policies and procedures and staff education based on quality management 
data information.

Branch of Informatics (GFJ7C)

    (1) Provides technical support to the Service Units in the area of 
clinical informatics and maintains expertise in IHS-specific patient 
management software; (2) assists Service Units with efforts to enhance 
services and maintain compliance with interoperability standards; (3) 
communicates informatics needs to IHS Headquarters; (4) informs Service 
Units of service enhancements planned by the IHS Office of IT; (5) 
supports Service Units in data retrieval to meet quality standards.

Navajo Area Service Units

    The NAIHS continues to be the primary health care provider for the 
Navajo Nation and San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe. Comprehensive health 
care is provided through inpatient, outpatient and community health 
(preventive) programs. The goal is to provide high quality, 
comprehensive preventive health care to the Navajo Nation, San Juan 
Southern Paiutes and all IHS beneficiaries served at NAIHS facilities, 
including prenatal care, immunizations, well-baby clinics, family 
planning, health education, and chronic disease follow-up. Service 
Units in the NAIHS are as follows:

 Chinle Service Unit (GFJA)
 Crownpoint Service Unit (GFJB)
 Gallup Service Unit (GFJD)
 Kayenta Service Unit (GFJE)
 Shiprock Service Unit (GFJJ)

Section GA-40, Indian Health Service--Delegations of Authority

    All delegations of authority and re-delegations of authority made 
to IHS 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.

(Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3101)

    This reorganization shall be effective on May 9, 2022.

Elizabeth A. Fowler,
Acting Director, Indian Health Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-10312 Filed 5-12-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4165-16-P