Medical Officer (Podiatry)

Tohono O•Sells, AZ

10d

About The Position

Serves as a podiatrist for the Tohono O'odham Nation Sells Hospital and associated health centers, providing preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic podiatric services. The position works under the general supervision of the Clinical Director, who provides general clinical and administrative guidance, and exercises considerable independence during patient care. The position may require temporary relocation to other TONHC facilities: Sells Hospital, Santa Rosa Health Center, San Simon Health Center, and San Xavier Health Center. The podiatrist provides outpatient and inpatient care, including consultations, co-admission and discharge of podiatric patients with an MD or DO, and surgical procedures under anesthesia. The role also plans, develops, implements, and evaluates the hospital’s podiatric medical and surgical program, including efforts to reduce diabetes-related lower-extremity amputations on the Tohono O'odham Nation.

Requirements

Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree.
One year of approved residency training and one year of medical center experience, or two years of approved residency training.
Maintain an active license to practice podiatric medicine in a U.S. state.
Board eligibility with the American Board of Wound Management, Primary Podiatric Medicine, or the American Board of Podiatric Surgery.
Knowledge of Tohono O'odham culture, customs, and traditions.
Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and tribal laws, regulations, and requirements.
Knowledge of confidentiality laws and requirements, specifically the Privacy Act of 1974 and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).
Skill in supervising, training, and evaluating assigned staff.
Skill in providing superior customer service to external and internal customers.
Ability to communicate efficiently and effectively verbally and in writing.
Upon recommendation for hire, pass a criminal background check and National FBI fingerprint check to determine employment suitability, including a 39-month driving record.
May be required to possess and maintain a valid driver's license, with no DUIs or major traffic citations within the last three years.
If required to operate program vehicles, meet the Tohono O'odham Nation tribal employer's insurance requirements to receive a driver's permit.
May be required, based on department needs, to demonstrate fluency in both Tohono O'odham and English as a condition of employment.

Responsibilities

Interview and examine patients, review medical histories, and request or perform diagnostic tests to diagnose podiatric conditions.
Provide medical or surgical treatment and referrals as appropriate.
Co-admit and discharge podiatric patients with an MD or DO for podiatric medical or surgical management.
Perform inpatient consultations and outpatient and inpatient surgical procedures under anesthesia.
Maintain required clinical and administrative records.
Counsel and educate patients, families, communities, and staff about podiatric health care, with an emphasis on preventive foot care for people with diabetes.
Treat bone, muscle, and joint disorders affecting the feet, as well as conditions such as corns, calluses, ingrown nails, tumors, shortened tendons, bunions, cysts, and abscesses.
Educate the public about the benefits of foot care through speaking engagements, advertising, and other forums.
Advise patients about treatment and foot-care techniques to prevent future problems.
Use plaster casts and strapping to correct deformities.
Diagnose foot diseases and deformities using medical histories, physical examinations, x-rays, and laboratory test results.
Prescribe medication, corrective devices, physical therapy, or surgery.
Direct the orthotic, contact cast, and shoe program for diabetic patients.
Perform diabetic foot screening exams and treat complications such as neuropathy, infections, ulcers, venous stasis, and wounds.
Refer patients to physicians when foot or leg symptoms indicate possible systemic disorders, such as arthritis or diabetes.
Plan, develop, implement, and evaluate a podiatric medical and surgical program for the TONHC hospital.
Develop new theories and approaches to reduce the critically high diabetes-related lower-extremity amputation rate on the Tohono O'odham Nation.
Attend meetings and participate on TONHC committees as assigned.
Perform other job-related duties as assigned and contribute to a team effort.