Physician (Epidemiologist)

Indian Health Service • Anchorage, AK

18d

About The Position

The incumbent serves as the Physician Epidemiologist, supporting epidemiologic studies and surveillance to monitor the health of American Indian and Alaska Native populations. The position also provides clinical care, including routine, urgent, and emergency services, in accordance with the physician’s training and approved clinical privileges.

The physician works with Tribes, community stakeholders, and public health partners to identify priorities, investigate health threats, develop interventions, strengthen local epidemiologic capacity, and communicate public health information. The role represents PAIHS in interagency projects involving IHS, CDC, and Federal, State, and local agencies. A REAL ID-compliant state-issued identification document or driver’s license is required if used as one of the two identification documents presented before appointment.

Requirements

• Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, or equivalent degree meeting the stated accreditation or foreign-education equivalency requirements.
• Current, active, full, and unrestricted physician license or registration from a U.S. state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or a U.S. territory.
• At least one year of supervised direct clinical service after the medical degree, such as an internship or first year of residency, in an appropriately accredited program.
• For GS-15: five years of residency or graduate training in the specialty of the position, or equivalent experience and training.
• For competitive-service Merit Promotion candidates, one year of service at the next lower grade level; this requirement does not apply under the Excepted Service Examining Plan.
• Meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the announcement closing date.
• Obtain and maintain medical staff clinical privileges, including licensure requirements.
• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Complete a federal background investigation and required forms within five calendar days of issuance of instructions; present two valid forms of identification before appointment.
• Successfully pass E-Verify employment verification and establish direct deposit.
• A confidential financial disclosure form is required.
• The position is covered by Public Law 101-630 and requires contact or control over Indian children; applicants must meet the associated criminal-history suitability requirements.
• Submit documentation of education as required; foreign education used to meet qualifications must be accompanied by a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency.
• Federal employees applying under Merit Promotion must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements.

Responsibilities

• Plan, design, and/or interpret epidemiologic studies.
• Develop and/or support surveillance systems and health indicators to monitor American Indian/Alaska Native population health.
• Lead and/or support epidemiologic investigations involving disease outbreaks, environmental emergencies, and other urgent community health threats.
• Collaborate with appropriate partners to design and implement interventions and provide technical guidance to leadership.
• Coordinate and represent PAIHS in interagency public health projects involving IHS, CDC, and Federal, State, and/or local agencies to improve care and preventive services.
• Collaborate with Tribes and/or community stakeholders to identify public health priorities.
• Build local epidemiologic capacity through training.
• Communicate complex public health information to diverse audiences.
• Interview and examine patients, review medical history, and perform diagnostic tests to make preliminary diagnoses.
• Provide routine, urgent, and emergency care in accordance with clinical training and approved clinical privileges.
• Coordinate patient referrals and follow-up care.

Benefits

• Federal annual leave, earned at a rate based on years of Federal service; directly related prior non-Federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service may be credited for determining leave accrual.
• Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized.
• Potential eligibility to apply separately for student loan repayment programs through IHS, NHSC, or HRSA, subject to program requirements, agency hiring priorities, and funding availability.
• IHS total compensation package is referenced in the posting.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree