Physical Evaluation Board Liaison Officer (PEBLO)

Internal Job Description

Work hours: 0700 - 1600 CST

Location: Eglin Air Force Base, FL

Pay Rate: $20-$25/hr

Position Description

This individual serves as the Physical Evaluation Board Liaison Officer (PEBLO) for the medical treatment facility (MTF) and its geographic area of responsibility. Provides Disability Evaluation System (DES) guidance in accordance with established DoD guidelines, data collection, medical coordination, Service member/commander/stakeholder advising, and procedural work related to Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) processing and Temporary Disability Retired List (TDRL) reevaluations in accordance with applicable instructions, regulations, and directives. Liaison support is provided to active duty and Reserve Component (RC) members and commanders on program requirements, military benefits, legal rights, and the appeals process. Coordinates Aeromedical evacuation or other patient travel requirements, fitness for duty determinations, line of duty (LOD) and other program requirements related to the DES. Provides Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) findings to service members and medical staff. Tracks each DES case from referral to final disposition. Guides the Service member throughout the DES process.

Responsibilities/Duties

• Responsible for obtaining, assembling, and forwarding all required documents and records to required organizations as well as the Veteran Affairs Medical Service Coordinator, the local Medical Evaluation Board (MEB), the Informal Physical Evaluation Board (IPEB), the Formal Evaluation Board (FPEB) and other Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) stakeholders in accordance with regulatory guidance.
• Ensures LOD processing is accomplished for each IDES case.
• Provides guidance to all ranks of military personnel from all branches of the uniformed services, retirees, and families of those being processed through the IDES program of their rights, benefits, privileges, or obligations.
• Coordinates evaluation appointments: schedules follow-up appointments and appropriate referrals related to benefits.
• When the Service member is incapacitated or incompetent for pay purposes and unable to manage his/her own legal affairs, the PEBLO provides guidance and assists the legal next-of-kin on the Service member’s rights and benefits.
• Processes Review-in-Lieu-of (RILO) MEB cases for assignment limitation codes as directed or required by regulation and in accordance with established guidance.
• Receives and responds to inquiries from beneficiaries, DoD Components, other agencies, and various interested parties.
• Provides guidance on activities with appropriate points of contact throughout the Military Health System (MHS), the line of the service agencies, (i.e. Military Personnel Flights, Comptroller, military Personnel Centers, Transportation, Aeromedical Evacuation) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (i.e. Veterans Benefits Administration [VBA] and Veterans Health Administration [VHA]) to best meet the member’s needs for information or assistance.
• Assists in preparing appeals, impartial medical reviews, rebuttals, and coordinates the assignment of Service member’s legal counsel.
• Updates local program documentation, i.e., patient handouts, training documents, checklists, operating procedures, etc.
• Maintains and safeguards both hard copy and electronic medical information.
• Discloses medical information to authorized personnel in accordance with Privacy Act of 1974 and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) guidelines.
• Assists the medical professional staff and other staff members on the regulatory and procedural aspects of profiling and disability processing. Provides MEB orientation program and on the job training for assigned staff personnel as required.
• Tracks all assigned cases, analyzes performance against established standards.
• Monitors/updates cases in Veteran Tracking Administration (VTA) or other tracking tool as the case progresses through the IDES process.
• Analyzes available data using various statistical analytic tools, measuring means, trends, statistical deviations, constructs diagrams, histograms, charts, etc., to convey IDES performance to IDES stakeholders.
• Provides reports, briefings, training and responds to inquiries from senior leaders.
• Coordinates patient travel for members opting to appeal to the FPEB. Assures necessary arrangements are made for members to travel on temporary duty status to and from other locations as required.
• Initiates actions to facilitate Emergency Family Member Travel for Very Seriously Ill and Injured Service members.
• Advises service members and medical staff on PEB findings.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must have an associate degree in business administration, management or health care organizations from an accredited college or university.
• Must have two (2) years’ experience as a PEBLO within the DoD military health system in the last 6 years; or five years’ experience working in a civilian disability program; or two years’ experience as a VA Medical Service Coordinator (MSC).
• Must have practical knowledge and understanding of the TRICARE program.
• Must have current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) using American Heart Association or American Red Cross.
• Must have current immunizations.
• Must be able to multi-task and work independently as well as work with various levels of Management.
• Must be able to withstand prolonged walking, standing, sitting, or bending.

Required Skills and Knowledge

• Must be able to type at least 40 WPM.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing to motivate, train, and work effectively with a diverse workforce.
• Must be able to draw realistic conclusions and recommend viable solutions.
• Read, understand, speak, and write English and apply general medical ethics, telephone etiquette, and excellent communication and customer service skills.
• English language, correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and format to prepare and edit written correspondence, reports, and transcribed material. Demonstrate mastery of oral and written communication and customer service principles, methods, practices, and techniques analytic methods, to include using research tools and statistical analysis and, interpersonal relations practices.
• General knowledge of Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) standards; Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) for complete, prompt, and accurate health records.
• Knowledge of medical privacy and confidentiality (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act [HIPAA]), and accreditation standards of Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) and The Joint Commission (TJC). Working knowledge of computer applications/software to include Microsoft Office programs, MS Outlook (e-mail), and internet familiarity is required.
• Ability to plan, organize, and manage functions and staff within an MTF to meet program objectives. Knowledge of the military healthcare organizational structure, major issues, policies, procedures, and operations related to the management of the healthcare delivery systems.
• Possess in-depth knowledge, experience, and training to handle and solve complex cases that arise when addressing fitness for duty or physical disability evaluation issues.
• Demonstrate tact, diplomacy, and restraint in counseling and explaining entitlements, benefits, and responsibilities to all customers.
• Possess effective interpersonal communication skills to effectively accomplish the IDES process.
• Ability to gather data from various sources, analyze data, statistical analysis, prepare statistical reports and recommendations for improvements.
• Skill in applying fact finding, analytical, and problem-solving methods and techniques.
• Knowledge of DES processing regulations, instructions, procedures, and policies to ensure timely case processing.

Benefit Package

• Medical, Dental & Vision insurance with company contributions
• Option to participate in company's 401k plan with company matching.
• 11 paid Federal Holidays
• 120 hours of PTO per year accrued each pay period.
• 4-6 days of PAID Family days as per the Base closures