Location
Okinawa, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan
Description:
Seeking fulltime Special Needs Coordinator (Register Nurse) to provide the following services:
Successful candidate shall be responsible for setting and achieving goals and objectives related to the management, development and implementation of programs/activities that include individuals with special needs. This position is accountable for the education, well-being, integration and safety of individuals with special needs that are enrolled in. This position includes acting as a community liaison for selected groups and committees that pertain to special needs programming in order to make recommendations on the need for revision or additional special needs programming necessary at the Family. The Special Needs Coordinator is responsible for the hiring, training and supervising of paraprofessionals, assistants/aides and Camp special needs staff.
General Scope of Work
• Establishes and maintains procedures to identify sponsors whose family members have special medical and/or educational needs in a timely manner.
• Facilitate the successful integration of participants with special needs into their program areas.
• Securing the appropriate aide to work with an individual, communication with caregiver or designated agency and providing training and support for assigned staff in the program area.
• Provide leadership and support to ensure that all participants and their families have the best possible experience in our special needs programs.
Specific Tasks
• Special needs coordinator oversees and manages the installation EFMP-M IAW DoD and Air Force policy, and any subsequent implementing guidance.
• Conducts assessments of family members of RegAF sponsors to determine if special medical and/or education conditions exist that require EFMP enrollment.
• Ensures all RegAF sponsors known to the MTF as having family members with special needs according to DoD criteria are identified to the AFPC (via the local MPS and/or CSS, where applicable) for issuance of an ALC “Q”, regardless of the location of family members or the source of family health care.
• Ensures all Army, Navy, and Marine Corps sponsors of family members with special needs are referred to their Services’ EFMP POCs for enrollment and relocation support IAW Service-specific guidance.
• Ensures all RegAF sponsors known to the AFPC, and local MPS and/or CSS where applicable, as having family members with special needs are identified in AF medical special needs data management systems.
• Ensures every RegAF sponsor with one or more family members with special needs that is assigned to the installation has an SN file maintained at the MTF and a case established in the AF-provided special needs data system (Q-base).
• Coordinates, with AFPC (and the local MPS and/or CSS, where applicable) all assignment actions for all Q-coded AF sponsors assigned to the installation, or whose personnel functions are handled at the installation, regardless of location of family members.
• The special need coordinator is involved in the FMRC process as outlined in AFI 40-701, Medical Support to Family Member Relocation and Exceptional Family Member Program.
• Complies with requirements for data security, maintenance, collection, and reporting IAW AFPD 40-7 and any subsequent AFMOA, MAJCOM, or MTF implementing guidance.
• Provides AFMOA/SGHW the MTF/CC-signed appointment letters for the SGH, SNC, FMRCC, and alternates for access to password-protected data systems.
• Establishes procedures for the creation, maintenance, secure storage, transfer and retirement of SN files and FDI files IAW AF policy, EFMP-M guidance, and MTF guidance for the protection of PII and PHI.
• Ensures that sponsors are provided all necessary documents for enrollment in TRICARE, Extended Health Care Options (ECHO). Where the SNC may not release protected health information to the sponsor,
• Provides the needed documentation to the identified patient of majority age, or forwards the information directly to the TRICARE Managed Care Support Contractor or other authorized Health Affairs agent upon request.
• Provide any updates needed in contact information, family composition, or family member conditions; verification of need for continued enrollment as well as pending PCS should also be discussed.
• Ensures the timely identification of family members with special needs through collaborative outreach with installation youth and childcare facilities, officer and enlisted spouses groups, public education forums and interaction with community key personnel.
• Special need coordinator will document in AHLTA/Q-base/SN file the outcomes and any necessary course of action for each case/family member with special needs reviewed.
• Provide excellent customer service for all patients, families, and staff.
Experience/Knowledge
• Experience with the special needs population is a plus; knowledge of low-incidence disabilities preferred.
• Must have a minimum of two (2) years for BS full-time experience in specialized field of study and care coordination, with clinical services being performed for at least 12 of the last 36 months.
• FMRCC: must have a minimum of 4 years in the full time work force. At least two years of experience in an office, medically related clinic setting or administrative position is required. Prior military experience working and or experience within any military Medical Specialty Code or civilian equivalent is preferred.
• Experience with Electronic Medical Records and preferably have experience with Armed Forces Health Longitudinal Technology Application (AHLTA).
• Must have a military-specific background; prior active duty, military retiree, or military family member preferred; experience with Air Force medical services is preferred.
• Experience with living in overseas locations. Prior experience with the Exceptional Family Member Program is preferred but not mandatory.
Knowledge:
• Must have the knowledge and skills to effectively apply SNC or FMRCC functions.
Assessment:
• The SNC must have the ability to identify patients and families with special medical and educational needs.
Planning:
• Collaboration with the patient, family/caregiver, primary provider and other members of the health care team for developing an effective plan of care is expected.
Facilitation:
• Care coordination and communication among all involved parties is key to provision of care for individuals with special medical needs.
Advocacy:
• Support for the patient and family/caregivers to ensure proper education of the patient and family and appropriate, timely care coordination is received.
Education/Certifications:
• The Special Needs Coordinator shall be a graduate of a baccalaureate or higher degree program, and if applicable, accredited by a national accrediting agency recognized by the US Department of Education. A degree in a medical field is preferred. Additionally, a Master’s degree and experience in program administration are preferred.
• The FMRCC shall be at least a high school/GED graduate. At least an Associate’s degree and/or experience in program administration are preferred.
• Special Needs Coordinator should have several years’ experience, should be familiar with military medicine either as a Department of Defense Medic or family member, and should have had overseas military experience, wherever possible.
• The Special Needs Coordinator must have familiarity with clinical conditions that require specialized care, and demonstrated skills in interviewing families for the purposes of identifying special needs and for coordinating needed care.
• The SNC must be a clinical level civilian equivalent officer from Biomedical Science Corps, Dental Corps, Nurse Corps or Medical Services Corps which will be referred to as SNC throughout the remainder of the Performance Work Statement (PWS), to support the Air Force Exceptional Family Member Program – Medical (EFMP-M) component, 18th Medical Group, Kadena AB, Japan, also referred to as the Medical Treatment Facility (MTF) herein.
Licensure/Certification:
• Must have an active, valid, current and unrestricted license (with no limitations, stipulations or pending adverse actions) to practice his or her specialized area of medical care (e.g. Dental, Nursing, or Social Worker) in any US state/jurisdiction.
• Employee is responsible for maintaining/renewing licensure from a state and if required, a certification or registration when caring for patients within the MTF. The SNC shall not perform any service if license is inactive or revoked.
• Copies of required licensure shall be furnished to the Contracting Officer prior to performance on this contract and then turned in to the COR or designated FRED. Copies of renewals must be submitted ten (10) days before date of expiration.