[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]
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