Advanced Practice Providers to support the mission of the Indian Health Service (IHS) -
Mescalero Service Unit.

The Contractor is to provide Nurse Practitioner (NP) or Physician Assistant (PA) services within the Walk-In Primary Care Clinic at the Mescalero Service Unit.

Place of Performance:

• Services shall be performed at the Indian Health Service facility Mescalero Service Unit, Mescalero, NM 88340 (Housing Available)

Expected Schedule:

• The Contractor will be required to work ten hours per twenty-four-hour period, including days, evening, and holidays.

Contractor Qualification Requirements:

• Shall maintain a valid, current, full and unrestricted license to practice medicine in any state within the United States, District of Columbia or the Common-Wealth of Puerto Rico, throughout the term of this contract
• Basic Life Support (BLS), (PALS) and (ACLS)
• Board certification, either AANP or FNCP
• Proof of an active and unrestricted NP License and DEA license.

To meet the credentialing standards within the Indian Health Services all providers presented for services must meet the following.

• Have a full and unrestricted licenses in all states in which licenses are held
• Have NEVER been the subject of adverse Medical Staff Action (censure, revocation of privileges) or license revocation.
• Have no criminal arrests or convictions.
• Have never been censured by a medical board for opioid use or misuse or sexual misconduct.
• Have never been terminated early from a Locums Assignment due to behavior or quality of care

Major NP/PA Duties

• Perform initial and/or periodic histories and physical examinations, and documents findings, results and diagnoses in medical record per medical staff rules & regulations.
• Manage acute, episodic, and chronic conditions occurring in patients presenting to the Walk-In Primary Care Clinic; and consult with MD/DO when patients’ disease process exceeds the NP’s education, training, and/or experience.
• Provide full range of acute and interim primary care services to treat medical conditions, and consulting colleague physicians, primary care physicians and specialty physicians as medically needed.
• Order and interpret diagnostic studies such as laboratory tests, radiological exams, electrocardiograms, or other studies as appropriate and specified in the Contractor’s clinical privileges as a Nurse Practitioner.
• Screen patients to determine the need for further healthcare.
• Evaluate the medical aspects of treatment plans periodically, recognizing the need for reassignment to other healthcare professionals or specialists.
• Works collaboratively with other physicians in management of selected complex medical problems and refers to higher level of care when needed.
• Prescribe and dispense medications and durable medical devices and supplies.
• Carry out health promotion and disease prevention activities including education and shared decision-making.
• Educate and counsel patients and families in preventive care, medical conditions, and the use of prescribed treatments and drugs.
• Provide appropriate periodic mental health assessment, screening, and counseling for mental illness, family violence, and diseases of addiction.
• Draw blood or obtain other specimens for laboratory testing as needed.
• Initiate and expedite requests for consultations and arrange special tests and studies.
• Write orders as necessary for the care of the patient and record encounters in the patient’s medical record in accordance with GIMC rules & regulations and GIMC Medical Records policy & procedure.
• Obtain informed consent and document performed procedures as approved in the NP’s training and clinical privileges.
• Maintains records and reports on patients, personal activities and other required information for use in program operation, quality assurance and other purposes.

Background:
IHS is an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and is responsible for providing federal health services to American Indians and Alaska Natives. The provision of health services to members of federally recognized tribes grew out of the special government to government relationship between the federal government and Indian tribes. The IHS is the principal federal health care provider and health advocate for the Indian people. The goal is to assure that comprehensive, culturally acceptable personal and public health services are available and accessible to American Indians and Alaska Natives. The IHS currently provides health services to approximately 1.5 million American Indians and Alaska Natives who belong to more than 557 federally recognized tribes in 34 states. There is a nationwide shortage of medical providers in certain specialties which is amplified by the remote and rural areas served by the Indian Health Service.

Health Requirements

Immunizations:

• Immunity to Rubella, Mumps, Measles
• Immunity to Hepatitis B series
• History of chicken pox (varicella) disease or positive titer
• Tetanus Diphtheria (Td) and Pertussis within the last 5 years
• Influenza within the last year
• Documentation of receiving a TB Mantoux skin test (PPD) within the past 12 months with documentation of follow-up for a positive test.
• A signed declination of the Hepatitis B vaccination series will be accepted.