Physician (Aviation Medicine)

The primary responsibility of the Medical Officer is to review and provide quality aeromedical dispositions of airmen and contract air traffic controller medical certification applications. This requires an in-depth aeromedical review to determine eligibility of holding a medical certificate under 14 CFR Part 67 regulations. Following criteria approved by the Federal Air Surgeon, the Medical Officer determines the disposition of requests for Special Issuance, both new and renewals, granting and denying medical certification, withdrawing Special Issuances, authorizing Medical Flight Tests (MFT), affirming validity of certificates issued by designated Aviation Medical Examiners or requesting additional information to substantiate the issuance or denial of medical certificates. Independently applies professional experience, clinical knowledge, skills and expertise in the principles and practice of aerospace medical certification and provides clinical notes that support and validate risk-based aeromedical dispositions. Serves as the Physician-of-the-Day during the Aerospace Medical Certification Division's Call Center hours of operation, a weekly rotation within Case Review & Appeals Branch (AAM-320). Responsibilities include responding to calls from designated Aviation Medical Examiners (AMEs) from around the world addressing questions and assistance with aeromedical certification requirements, established standards, policies and guidance, medications, Special Issuances, verbal authorizations, and clearance of psychiatric and psychological evaluations and treatment records consistent with policies and procedures of the Office of Aerospace Medicine. Internal to the FAA, Medical Officers provide aerospace medical certification guidance to Division Managers, Flight Surgeons, Regional Flight Surgeons, other Medical Officers, Legal Instruments Examiners and Program Analysts, Flight Standards District Offices, Certification Maintenance Offices, Aviation Safety Inspectors, accident investigation and toxicology teams, research physicians and scientists. Externally, this may involve designated AMEs, non-governmental medical groups, pilot advocacy groups and professional organizations. Medical Officers are required to keep abreast with clinical updates for a wide variety of general medical conditions and medications and collaborate with the Aeromedical Standards & Policy Branch (AAM-220) to update and develop new certification guidance and policies and improve quality and effectiveness of the medical certification program. Actively participates and collaborates at the weekly internal Aerospace Medical Certification Division (AAM-300) physician review panels and monthly Office of Aviation Medicine certification conferences involving presentation and discussion of complex cases. Teaches, mentors, trains, and coaches other physicians both internal and external to the Agency, Legal Instruments Examiners, other employees in the Division, Aerospace Medicine Residents, Civil Aerospace Medicine Institute (CAMI) visitors and other aviation personnel whenever assigned, requested, or invited to do so. They provide training of AMEs at Basic and Refresher seminars. As assigned, serves as the Team Leader/Deputy Team Leader for specific medical certification workflows to include Federal Air Surgeon Cardiology and Neurology panels and Cardiology consultant visits. May be called upon to serve as an Expert Witness at National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) hearings while collaborating with the FAA Office of General Counsel. Whenever assigned, effectively represent FAA and organizational positions when engaging stakeholders. Shares responsibility for the physical custody and maintenance of the legal and medical confidentiality of millions of hard copies, microfilmed, and electronic medical records. These records include various pathological entities of medicine and represent the largest collection of medical data concerning civil airmen.