Purpose

The Office of Polar Programs (OPP) exerts management authority concerning the operation and oversight of the medical program. OPP executes its medical responsibilities in large part through the management of contracted services in both polar regions. OPP convenes a Medical Review Panel (MRP) to advise OPP in its management of the medical program. As an intragovernmental committee composed exclusively of full or permanent part-time officers or employees of the Federal government, the MRP is exempted from the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). The MRP reports to the Senior Advisor for Polar Medical Programs.

MRP Charter

Duties

The MRP may be asked to review OPP's existing medical activities or planned changes and make recommendations to modify procedures, guidelines, and administration of those activities on the basis of its professional judgment and experience and considering the research, operations, and risks involved. For example, the MRP may be asked to examine and provide recommendations on:

• Data Collection - to identify trends and opportunities as well as inform decision-making (e.g., data on illnesses, injuries, lost work time, medical evacuations, clinic utilization);
• Screening Process - to identify medical conditions that are incompatible with safe and productive deployment or to identify medical tests that are predictive and cost-effective or alternatively unnecessary and lacking in predictive value;
• Medical Care - to identify health care needs that are not adequately addressed or health care services that are not necessary.

How to Apply

The MRP is composed exclusively of full- or permanent part-time officers or employees of the Federal government. OPP employees may not serve as Panel members. Personnel with current or pending projects requiring OPP support or directly affiliated with an Arctic or Antarctic partner or service provider may only serve as Panel members if OPP's Conflicts Official issues a waiver.

To apply for a position on the MRP, email opp-safety@nsf.gov.

MRP members link: https://extsharepoint.nsf.gov/geo/plr/plr_med_rev/SitePages/Home.aspx. (Note: You must have permissions to access this link.)