Announcement of IPA Opportunity – Astronaut Occupational Surveillance Physician

Astronaut Occupational Surveillance Physician (IPA)

Crew Health and Safety

Human Health and Performance Directorate

NASA Johnson Space Center

Houston, Texas

Term:              2 years, potentially renewable

Start Date:      Fall 2020

The NASA Crew Health and Safety (CHS) Program seeks a 75% or full-time physician to serve under an Intergovernmental Personnel Agreement (IPA), as the CHS Astronaut Occupational Surveillance Physician. The position will be resident in Houston, Texas, but may include some remote work.

Major Duties:

·         Advise CHS as a subject matter expert in application of occupational health surveillance methods to protect astronaut in-mission and long-term health.

·         Guide evaluation of existing mission-specific astronaut occupational health surveillance activities looking for appropriateness and effectiveness of each surveillance measure.

·         Recommend to CHS appropriate occupational surveillance measures for future (Moon and Mars) human space programs targeted at detecting emerging astronaut health issues developing during a space mission.

·         Partner with the Lifetime Study of Astronaut Health (LSAH) to review existing health surveillance measures for former astronauts and recommend updates as appropriate to support NASA’s Moon to Mars goals.

·         Support the Flight Medicine Clinic’s evaluation of claims under the TREAT Astronauts Act by reviewing cases, writing physician’s opinions, and advising and supporting the TREAT Astronauts Act Board (TAAB); 

·         Partner with the CHS-funded epidemiologists to evaluate proposed occupational surveillance studies, data requests, and data analysis;

·         Partner with the Human Research Program to identify high value surveillance measures and ensure appropriate hand off between research and surveillance activities; and

·         Partner with the JSC Chief Medical Officer, medical operations team, and NASA flight surgeons to improve NASA’s insight into spaceflight-associated occupational exposures and population health.

Qualifications:

·         Required:

o   M.D. or D.O. from an accredited school

o   Board Certified in Occupational Medicine

·         Strongly Desired

o   Board Certified in aerospace medicine or extensive professional experience in aerospace medicine and familiarity in the unique occupational exposures associated with aerospace environments;

o   Experience in population health as well as health and certification for individual employees;

o   Experience publishing and presenting population health research;

o   Familiarity with NASA human spaceflight programs.

o   Experience working with Federal Employees and completing/submitting documentation on their behalf to the Department of Labor, Office of Workers’ Compensations Programs (OWCP).

o   Current Texas Medical License (or the ability to receive one within 6 months of hiring date)

o   Active DEA Certificate

o   Currently engaged in the active clinical practice of Occupational Medicine

To apply:

Submit your CV and a cover letter describing your interest and qualifications via email to: JSC-CHS@mail.nasa.gov

Please use the subject line “CHS IPA”.

All applications must be submitted by COB September 15, 2020