DOI Medical Officer

The DOI Medical Officer has oversight responsibility for the Department’s occupational health program.  In fulfilling the oversight responsibility, the DOI Medical Officer’s role ensures individual accountability and provides a mechanism for a uniform and consistent application of medical decisions and policies throughout the Department.  Specific operational assistance and services from the DOI Medical Officer can be arranged individually by bureau, regional, or local agency management.

The DOI Medical Officer does not have personnel or management decision-making authority within DOI.  All input from or by the DOI Medical Officer must be considered only as consultative or advisory in nature, and the use of such advice and consultation is solely at the discretion of DOI managers.

With this in mind, the DOI Medical Officer provides or oversees the following advisory and consultative services:

(1)  Provides up-to-date and complete medical and technical information regarding specific medical and physical conditions or medical examination procedures relevant to existing or proposed physical requirements or health related personnel management programs for federal employees;

(2)  Reviews and makes recommendations regarding the results and conclusions derived from medical examinations conducted by non-DOI or DOI contract physicians;

(3)  Provides technical assistance (including advisory opinions in medical and occupational health areas, e.g., worker’s compensation, disability retirement, medical standards, civil lawsuits, MSPB challenges, EEOC cases, etc.) to ensure compliance with agency policy;

(4) Provides expert reviews and analyses of medical documentation and other materials submitted in support of:

• Medical disqualifications of selectees;
• An employee’s restoration rights under 5 U.S.C. 8151 following full or partial recovery from a compensable on-the-job injury;
• Requests for job accommodations or other special benefits regarding health conditions;
• Written reports on medical standards, medical policy issues, or individual medical documentation reviews, as requested;
• Advisory opinions clarifying medical/psychiatric issues regarding the suitability of federal employees who hold top security clearances;
• Guidance regarding new and experimental procedures (i.e., refractive eye surgery, surgical implants, prosthetic devices) as a means of satisfying medical, vision, hearing requirements, etc.;
• Research and analysis of complex legal and medical issues through coordination with the office of the solicitor;
• Research and analysis of technical, scientific and medical data in support of policy development and program management;
• Assistance in the development and implementation of occupational medical evaluation and clearance programs for candidates and incumbents