Health System Specialist (PEBLO) Anchorage, Alaska (Fort Richardson)

Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) is located in Southcentral, Alaska amid picturesque, majestic, snow-capped mountains, lakes, rivers and glaciers. The area abounds with wildlife. Many northern tier states such as Montana, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan have shorter but much colder winters than south central Alaska.

JBER is 2,264 miles north of Seattle, Washington, and 358 miles south of Fairbanks, Alaska. The Anchorage community has a military presence of over 32,000 people and accounts for approximately 10 percent of the local population. Alaska is a very military friendly state! Come prepared to be awed by this beautiful base, and state. There's nowhere else like Alaska!

Anchorage provides most of the conveniences of a large city. There are greenbelts and parks throughout the city, and has access to dozens of activities for families, such as world-class fishing, skiing, snow-machining, ice skating, sledding, hiking, biking & rafting are just a stone's throw away.

Midnight sun gives Alaskans long days to enjoy summer. You can expect highs in the 60s & 70s (and possibly a week or 2 in the low 80s). During the weeks leading up to late June's summer solstice, the sun is above the horizon 18-21 hours/per day, creating opportunities for midnight hikes & fishing at 10pm as a typical Alaskan lifestyle.

Anchorage actually has a warmer climate than other cold-weather cities like Chicago or Minneapolis because it's on the ocean. The temperature is a "micro-climate" in Alaska-no matter where you are in the state, you are a 1-2 hour drive away in any direction resulting in a 30 degree temperature change.

Working for the Department of Defense comes with an abundance of benefits and perks to include competitive compensation packages, paid-time off, medical benefits, student loan repayments, and retirement package with Thrift Savings Plan to include matching employer contributions. For more information, please visit the following link: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/benefits/

MAJOR DUTIES

1. Counsels military personnel from all branches of the uniformed services, retirees, and the Families of those being processed through the Physical Disability Evaluation System on their rights, benefits, privileges, or obligations. Coordinates evaluation appointments; schedules follow-up appointments for National Guard and Reserve Component (RC) personnel for approved line of duty (LOD) related injuries. Maintains and safeguards both hard copy and electronic medical information. Releases medical information to authorized personnel in accordance with established guidelines. Counsels and advises active and RC officers, enlisted and retired personnel and their Families, who are being processed through the PDES. Ensures that the individual completely understands all phases of the process. Assists in preparing appeals, rebuttals, and coordinates the assignment of Soldier's legal counsel. Provides information and advice on rights and benefits of uniformed services personnel, retired permanently or temporarily, or discharged for physical disabilities with or without severance pay, and their options. Coordinates appropriate referrals related to benefits. When notified by higher headquarters that a Soldier on TDRL is to be re-examined, takes action to obtain personnel data and medical reports. Coordinates dates, times, places to report, and other details with Soldier and appropriate hospital clinic. Counsels Soldiers in person, by telephone, and in writing on matters related to their TDRL reevaluation. When a Soldier is incapacitated or incompetent for pay purposes and unable to manage his/her own legal and personal affairs, the PEBLO counsels and assists the legal next of kin on the Soldier's rights and benefits. Coordinates the processing of medical boards on personnel assigned to all branches of the uniformed services who are being treated in this facility.

Advises Soldier of the necessity of obtaining sufficient documentation (medical and non-medical) concerning the Soldier's ability to perform military duties and the severity of the Soldier's disease or injury. May be required to take or coordinate photographs of injuries, wounds and scars; treating the Soldier with dignity and compassion to support the MEB documentation. Ensures that the Soldier understands his obligations to respond to the findings of the Informal/Formal Board within the prescribed time frame. Informs the service member of his/her ability to appeal further to the Physical Disability Agency and to the Army Board of Corrections for Military Records if all previous appeals fail. Refers personnel to appropriate agencies to obtain counseling/guidance on benefits provided by the Department of Labor, Social Security Administration and Veterans Affairs (VA). Interprets and assists in other benefits such as vocational rehabilitation, clothing allowance, aid and attendance, prosthetics and appliances, and aid for the blind. Maintains close liaison with VA Contact Representative located at VA Clinic, Benefits before Discharge Office, and VA Regional Claims Office to discuss specific cases or situations which are not covered and to coordinate actions related to cases involving unusual circumstances of severely disabled service members or retirees.

Applies sound judgment, ingenuity, and persuasiveness in motivating apathetic or negatively inclined individuals, including psychiatric, seriously ill and terminally ill patients, to apply for benefits for which they are eligible. Must communicate effectively with belligerent/angry or extremely frustrated service members, retirees, and Family members; understanding their fears and concerns and be able to obtain their confidence and trust. Must know when and how to refer Soldiers and Family members to appropriate sources to include, Social Work Service, Emergency Room, Provost Marshall, etc. Must have extensive knowledge in automation equipment usage to document progress, concerns or other issues relevant to the Soldier's case. Makes entries and updates the appropriate databases as cases progress through the APDES. Provides statistical information to MTF/Regional Medical Commands /Medical Command on the status of MEB/Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) processing effectiveness, resourcing, and other related managerial and congressional purposes. Generates standard and customized management reports and charts.

Responsible for the preparation and conduct of various briefings and training relevant to the APDES to the installation leadership, Officer Professional and Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development, installation Town Hall Meetings, Warrior Transition Unit, hospital clinical and administrative support staff. Coordinates with the local Judge Advocate General, Soldier's unit and DoD to resolve medical separation verses administrative separation of enlisted and officer personnel. Coordinates with various Major Regional Reserve Commands and State National Guard Headquarters on a routine basis in order to support readiness and fitness evaluations for Soldiers in the reserves or guard components. Explains and prepares Continuance On Active Duty and Continuance On Active Reserve Status requests as well as extensions to active duty or Active Guard Reserve. Coordinate and provide notification to HR in assignment instructions when a Soldier is on orders for overseas or another Continental United States installation, Military Operational Specialist school, or leadership course. Coordinates with the Soldier's unit, DA branch manager, installation Adjutant General, Major Army Commands HR branch or other appropriate element in order to achieve the desired goal.

2. Tracks all assigned cases, analyzes performance against established metrics, analyzes available data using various statistical analytic tools, measuring means, trends, statistical deviations, construction of diagrams, histograms, bar and pie charts to convey ideas related to PDES processing events. Identifies problems and recommends changes to command policies and improvements to processes and services provided to service military members and their Families. Provides, reports, briefings, training, and responds to inquiries from senior leaders, DA or Department of Defense (DoD).

Performs other duties as assigned.

Basic Requirements:

US Citizenship required