Temporary Nurse Practitioner Staffing Services SOW.docx

STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW)

1.0 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

The Contractor shall provide one (1) Nurse Practitioner (NP), who will be stationed at the Ventura Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC), which is part of Primary Care, Medical Service at VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHS). Ventura CBOC (Captain Rosemary Bryant Mariner Outpatient Clinic) is located at 5250 Ralston Street, Ventura CA, 93003. Ventura CBOC has an urgent need to continuously retain one (1) Contract Nurse Practitioner, who will provide diagnosis, treatment, consultation, and follow-up patient care services to the Ventura CBOC for a performance period of not to exceed one year starting on November 04, 2024 through November 3, 2025.

2.0 QUALIFICATIONS FOR CONTRACT NURSE PRACTITIONERS

0. A current license in at least one (1) state, territory, or commonwealth in the U.S. or the District of Columbia.

0. Current certification in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) by an American Health Association Vendor.

0. Current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS).

0. A current curriculum vitae (CV) which identifies the provider’s education and professional qualifications commensurate with the position or specialty for which they are being offered to perform.

0. A minimum of one (1) year direct patient care experience within the last three (3) years. VA experience is desirable.

0. Be current on tuberculosis testing, rubella testing, and all immunizations prior to performing services.

0. Have no health or physical disability restrictions that interfere with the performance of duties per this SOW.

0. Have the knowledge and ability to use computers and technology efficiently in the course of the duties and responsibilities outlined herein.

3.0 DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The NP functions within the policies of VAGLAHS-Ventura CBOC, where assigned and has professional and legal responsibility to the patient. The duties and responsibilities of the NP include:

a. Executes position responsibilities independently and collaboratively in accordance with the scope and Standards of Nursing Practice within the specialty area.

b. Works in an independent and interdependent relationship with members of the medical staff.

c. Effectively identifies, evaluates, and addresses disease prevention and health promotion issues while administering quality patient care.

d. Demonstrate advanced assessment and decision-making skills.

e. Maintains legible, accurate, and confidential medical records. Documents all medical evaluations, diagnoses, treatment, outcomes, education, referrals, and consultations.

f. Documents care/visit in CPRS appropriately, accurately, and concisely. Utilizes POE.

g. Follows clinical guidelines and standards of practice for health promotion, maintenance, and illness prevention.

h. Completes health histories and other clinical documentation consistently and with pertinent information.

i. Responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of acute, chronic, and long-term healthcare issues.

j. Care and treatment plans are consistent with assessments. Orders and interprets diagnostic tests appropriately.

k. Selects/furnishes (prescribes) or recommends pharmacological agents and durable medical equipment appropriately.

l. Sets priorities to provide care in an organized and timely manner.

m. Presents cases in a concise, organized manner. Participates in formal and informal performance evaluations and professional development.

n. Evaluates own performance according to the Advance Practice Nurse (APN) Scope of Practice standards of professional and regulatory bodies and takes actions to improve practice.

o. Maintains mandatory requirements and competency standards.

p. Treats staff, patients and family with respect and dignity.

q. Uses clinical research techniques in decision-making and in making recommendations. Identifies and documents appropriate International Classification of Diseases (ICD) and Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) coding for patient encounters.

r. Educates patients and/or families about preventive care, medical issues, and use of prescribed medical treatments and/or medications.

s. Will comply with performance measure identified by VA Central Office.

t. Complies with safety facility patient guidelines and other mandatory requirements as directed.

4.0 QUALITY ASSURANCE

Contractor and Contract Nurse Practitioner (NP) shall be subject to the same quality assurance standards of a quality meeting or exceeding current recognized national standards as established by The Joint Commission and Commission. The Contractor and Contract NP shall perform services in accordance with the ethical, professional, and technical standards of the healthcare industry as consistent with VA policy, regulations and procedures. Contract NP provided by the Contractor shall be technically proficient in the skills necessary to fulfill the Government's requirements to include the ability to speak, understand, read and write English fluently. Contractor NP shall be responsible for compliance with all procedures in accordance with applicable VA Healthcare System written policies and procedures. They shall not introduce new procedures or services without prior recommendation to, and approval of the VA Healthcare System or authorized representative and the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR).

5.0 RECORD KEEPING SYSTEMS

The VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System has established and will maintain a record keeping system for verification of actual hours worked by Contract NP and they must be present at the VA facility and must be performing the required services for the period specified, or the contract will be decreased accordingly during each billing cycle. Contract shall complete the sign-in and sign-out sheet for each day worked.

6.0 STANDARD OF CONDUCT

The Government reserves the right to refuse acceptance of Contract personnel whose personal or professional conduct jeopardizes patient care or interferes with the regular and ordinary operation of the facility. Breaches of conduct include intoxication or debilitation resulting from drug use, theft, patient abuse, dereliction or negligence in performing directed tasks, or other abuse, or other conduct resulting in formal complaints by patients or other staff members to designated Government Representatives. Standards for conduct shall mirror those prescribed by current Federal Personnel Regulations. Complaints concerning contract personnel's conduct with Government employees or patients will be dealt with by the Contractor and COR. The Contracting Officer is the final authority on validating complaints. In an event that contract personnel are involved and named in a validated complaint, the Government reserves the right to refuse acceptance of the services of such personnel. This does not preclude refusal in the event of incidents involving physical or verbal abuse. The final arbiter on questions of acceptability is the Contracting Officer.

7.0 ADMINISTSRATIVE DOCUMENTATION

Contract personnel will report any unusual incidents within 24 hours by completing VA Form 10-2633 and submitting to the Medical Director of the Ventura CBOC.

All accidents, malfunctions, injuries and deaths related to the delivery of services shall be immediately reported verbally to the COR. The Contractor may be required to provide evidence of follow-up through a written report of the incident, describing the event, analysis of cause and effect, and corrective action taken. If such a report is requested by the COR, this will be done within three (3) working days of the verbal report.

All personnel providing direct patient care services must have appropriate identification and have evidence of appropriate training prior to providing any services to veterans.

Contract personnel accidents or injuries shall be handled by Contractor's Workers' Compensation coverage. VA shall not be invoiced for Workers' Compensation or other benefits payments for Contract Personnel. A complete accident report shall be promptly filed with the Department Chief.

8.0 ARRANGEMENT FOR REPLACEMENT STAFF

The Contractor shall provide scheduled services throughout the contract period. In the event of the absence of Contractor's personnel for any reason, the Contractor shall bear the responsibility of providing replacement personnel to provide the scheduled services.

If services are disrupted for more than two (2) consecutive scheduled shifts or emergency response requests, the Government reserves the right to procure such services from an alternate source, until services are restored by the Contractor. When the Government exercises its right to procure these services from an alternate source, the Contractor shall reimburse the Government for all charges in excess of the amount that would have normally been incurred by the contract. A copy of the other source's time sheet or other verifiable documentation, shall be used as the basis for any reimbursement.

9.0 CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The Contractor shall not employ any person who is an employee of the United States Government, if the employment of that person would create a conflict of interest of perception of conflict of interest. The Contractor shall not employ any person who is an employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs unless such person seeks and receives approval in accordance with VA regulations and public law. Nor shall the Contractor employ any person who is a member of the immediate family of a VA employee employed at the VAGLAHS if the employment of that family member would create a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest, particularly regarding influencing the contract negotiations, terms of the contract or the work carried out under the contract. In any such case, VA must review the matter and give its approval in accordance with agency ethics rules.

10.0 GOVERNMENT TRAINING AND ORIENTATION

The VA will provide a briefing to familiarize contract personnel on the policies and procedures on the first scheduled duty day or within a period acceptable to the VA.

The Contractor shall ensure that all contract personnel attend and participate in VA or any other mandatory training to include but not limited to Diversity, Total Quality Improvement, Annual Fire Safety, Infection Control and Annual Information Security Training.

11.0 IDENTIFICATION BADGE

An identification (ID) badge will be issued by the VA to contract technicians providing services to beneficiaries at the VA. The appropriate ID badge must always be worn at all time while on Government facility grounds, clearly displayed on the outermost garment (i.e. coat, jacket, sweater, shirt, blouse, lab coat, etc.).

12.0 PERSONAL HYGIENE AND CLOTHING

In performance of this contract, contract health care providers shall be neat, clean, well-groomed and shall otherwise exercise good personal hygiene. Appropriate and professional attire must always be worn. Athletic and athletic style attire (i.e., jogging suits, sweat suits, running shorts, tee-shirts) shall not be worn by contract health care providers. A laboratory style coat must be worn over scrubs when the contract health care provided is not performing duties in a clinical examination area, operating or procedure rooms. Medical scrubs are not to be worn outside the facility.

13.0 HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

Contract health care providers shall not perform services under this contract unless a pre-assignment medical examination has been performed within 30 calendar days of their first scheduled shift. Pre-assignment medical examinations shall be the responsibility of the Contractor at no cost to the Government.

As a condition of employment Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that all contract staff who will have occupational exposure to blood, other body fields, or other potentially infectious materials, shall receive Hepatitis B vaccine, sign a voluntary declination or have documented proof of immunity to Hepatitis B infection. The immunization shall be the responsibility of the Contractor at no cost to the Government. As a condition of employment Contract health care providers will obtain an annual PPD skin test. Those with a positive skin test history shall complete an annual respiratory assessment questionnaire. The skin test respiratory assessment will be the responsibility of the Contractor at no cost to the Government.

Contract health providers having patient contact or exposure to biological or pathological specimens shall be immunized against, be granted an immunization waiver or have documented Proof of immunity to rubella, mumps, polio and Hepatitis B. In addition, contract health care providers shall be free of infectious diseases (to include but not limited to active Tuberculosis and Viral Hepatitis) that might reasonably be expected to place the other workers, patients or the public at risk.

The Contractor shall provide the Government with all the information necessary to ensure that Government records are maintained correctly and in compliance with JCAHO, OSHA and the Center for Disease health records requirements, for each individual contract health care provider.

The Contractor shall provide the Government with certification that contract health care providers have completed the medical evaluation required above, a minimum of five (5) working days prior to performance of contract services. This certification shall state the date that the examination was completed, the doctors name who performed the examination, a statement concerning the physical health of the individual and the following statement:

[Name of contract health care provider] is suffering from no contagious diseases to Include Tuberculosis, Hepatitis and Venereal Disease.

The Government may take nose and throat cultures from contract health care providers when required by Government Infection Control Committees (ICC).

When a health care provider has been found medically unfit for providing services required under this contract, they shall be required to discontinue working immediately. Contract health care providers shall not return to work until given clearance by the appropriate physician.

The Government will provide emergency health care for injuries sustained while on duty for contract health providers. These services will be billed to the Contractor at the current full reimbursement rate.

14.0 DRUG SCREENING

Contractor health care providers are subject to random drug testing. They are also subject to drug testing when there is a reasonable suspicion of the drug use or impairment Includes, but is not limited to the following:

a. Observable phenomena, such as direct observation of drug use, possession, or the Physical symptoms of being under the influence of the drug;

b. A pattern of abnormal conduct or erratic behavior;

c. Arrest or convictions for a drug- related offenses or the identification of the Contractor's health care provider as the focus of a criminal investigation into illegal drug possession, use or trafficking;

d. Information provided either by reliable and credible sources or independently corroborated; or

e. Newly discovered evidence that the contract health provider has tampered with a Previous drug test.

15.0 RELEASE OF MEDICAL INFORMATION

The Contractor and contract health care providers shall only release medical information obtained during active period this contract to those VA staff members involved in the necessary care and treatment of that individual patient. Patient list and name of patients are considered privileged information and shall not be disclosed or revealed in any way for use outside the VA without prior written permission from the Chief of staff or his/her designee.

16.0 APPLICABLE PUBLICATIONS

The Contractor shall adhere to the publications list that follows. The publications are maintained by the Government and are available through the COR. At any time, these publications are subject to change, made in the form of supplements or amendment issued any organizational level and may affect contract performance.

a. A STATION MEMORANDA- Use Most Current Dated Publication:

b. OTHER REFERENCES:

JC Standards for: (i) Ambulatory Care (Current Year); and (ii) Hospital (Current Year).

17.0 ADMINISTRATION FUNCTIONS AND ATTENDANCE AT MEETINGS

When requested by the Government, contract health care providers shall perform services to include but not limited to, attendance and participation in meetings, professional staff conferences, other appropriate professional activities, assist with performance improvement activities and interface with the VA Medical Office or designee.

Contract health care providers are required to attend employee orientation and training on the VA computer system prior to starting work (This includes credentialed alternates).

Contract health care providers must complete the IN/OUT processing procedures with the VA prior to the Contractor receiving payment for service.

18.0 PATIENT SENSITITVY

Contract health care provider shall respect and maintain the basic rights of patients, demonstrating concern for personal dignity and human relationships.

Complaints shall be investigated individually. Contract health care providers receiving more than two (2) verified complaints (COR, or Patient Representative) related to sensitivity within any construction (3) month period shall require the contract health care provider to complete a sensitivity training class before continuing to provide services under the contract. Contract health care provider's participation in sensitivity training class shall be the sole responsibility of the Contractor at no expense to the Government. Depending upon the nature and severity of the complaint, the Government reserves the right to suspend performance of the subject contract health care provider or prohibit performance all together, as deemed appropriate.

19.0 CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL POLICY

The Contractor shall assume full responsibility for the protection of its personnel furnishing services under this contract. To carry out this responsibility the Contractor shall provide the following of the personnel:

*Worker's compensation.

*Professional liability insurance.

*Health examinations.

*Income tax withholding.

*Social security payments.

Payments for any leave, including sick leave or vacation time is considered the responsibility of the Contractor. The Contractor shall follow all existing local, state, federal and/ or union laws/regulations relevant to fringe benefits and premium pay for their employees. Such personnel shall not be considered VA employees for any purpose.

20.0 SMOKING POLICY

Smoking is strictly prohibited on the grounds of any VHA facility. Per VHA Directive 1085 dated March 5, 2019, it is VHA policy that all VHA health care facilities, including hospitals, community clinics, administrative offices, and Vet Centers, will be smoke-free for patients, visitors, contractors, volunteers, and vendors effective October 1, 2019. There will no longer be designated smoking areas.

21.0 WORK HOURS

The Contractor shall provide one (1) Nurse Practitioner, who will be stationed at the Ventura Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC), which is part of Primary Care, Medical Service at VAGLAHS. Ventura CBOC (Captain Rosemary Bryant Mariner Outpatient Clinic) is located at 5250 Ralston Street, Ventura CA, 93003. The contract Nurse Practitioner shall work from Monday to Friday between the hours of 8am and through 430pm.

22.0 NATIONAL HOLIDAYS

Listed below are the eleven (11) legal national holidays:

Holiday hours worked shall be invoiced at contract rate only. When one of the holidays falls on Sunday, the following Monday will be observed as a national holiday. When a holiday falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday is observed as a national holiday by US Government Agencies. Also included would be any day specifically by the President of the United States of America as a National Holiday. Contractor shall only be paid for actual hours worked. Holiday pay is not authorized under this contract.

23.0 ACCEPTANCE OF CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL

The Contractor shall ensure that all contract personnel have met qualifying criteria, including health requirements and current and valid licenses and certifications. The Government reserves the right to examine, approve and/or disapprove individuals based on the information provided in credentials and/or resumes, which must include three (3) current references verifying practice experience. Ultimately, the decision to reject and accept individuals rests with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Non-acceptance of contract personnel does not relieve Contractor from satisfying and fulfilling the contract requirements.

24.0 POST AWARD PERFORMANCE CONFERENCE

The Contracting Officer will schedule a post-award performance with the Contractor, if deemed necessary, for contract orientation purposes.

25.0 FIRE ALARM TRIP CHARGES

A fee will be assessed against any outstanding invoice or collected from the Contractor when Contractor or subcontract personnel trip a fire alarm due to negligence, fault or failure to properly coordinate and request a system shutdown. This fee is necessary to defray the cost of VA personnel responding to the false alarm; disruption of Medical Center operations; false alarm response, and any fines imposed, by the Fire Department; and any other costs incurred by the Medical Center as a result of the false alarm. The amount of the penalty will be adjusted if the local and/or administrative costs change.

26.0 CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL SECURITY REQUIREMENTS

The Office of Security and Law Enforcements provides Department-wide policy on the assignment of appropriate position sensitivity designations associated with Department of Veterans Affairs positions involving national security and public trust responsibilities, and on the level of background investigations required for applicants for, and incumbents of, those positions. In addition to VA employees, the policy and investigative requirements are applicable to contractor personnel who require access to VA computer systems designated as sensitive.

Contractor and subcontractor personnel who require access to VA computer shall be subject to all necessary background and receive a favorable adjudication from the VA Office of Security and Law Enforcement to ensure compliance with such policy. If such investigation has not been completed prior to contract commencement, the Contractor shall be responsible for all actions of those individuals performing under the contract.

Should the contract require Contractor personnel to maintain U.S. citizenship, the Contractor shall be responsible for compliance. Regardless of U.S. citizenship requirements, Contractor personnel are required to read, write, speak, and understand the English language, unless otherwise specified in this contract agreed to by the Government.

The cost of such investigations shall be borne by the Contractor, either in advance or as reimbursement to the Government. The level of sensitivity shall be determined by the Government based on the type of access required. The level of sensitivity will determine the depth of the investigation and the cost thereof. Currently the estimated costs for such investigations are as follows:

LEVEL OF

SENSITIVITY

BACKGROUND

INVESTIGATION LEVEL

APPROXIMATE COST

The Contractor shall be required to furnish all applicable employee information required to conduct the investigation, such as but not limited to, the name, address, and social security number of Contractor personnel. The VA will provide all the necessary instructions and guidance for submission of the documents required to conduct the background investigation. Background investigations shall not be required for Contractor personnel who will not be required to neither access VA computer systems nor gain access to sensitive materials.

27.0 INVOICE AND PAYMENT

Payment is to be made monthly in arrears. Contractor shall submit invoices in original addressed to: VAFSC, P.O. Box 149971, Austin, TX 78714. Invoices submitted for payment shall be reviewed for accuracy, verified against time records and attendance logs and shall be subject to approval by the Government prior to remittance of payment.

Any discrepancies found shall be brought to the attention of the Contractor and shall be resolved. A corrected invoice must then be submitted by the Contractor as instructed by the Government. Patients shall not be invoiced for services. The invoice MUST be itemized to include the following information:

Payment for services rendered by the Contractor shall be made monthly upon receipt of a proper invoice. When inadequate invoices are received (those lacking any of the essential items listed above), the vendor will be notified in writing within seven (7) calendar days of receipt of such bills that these bills cannot be processed for payment until a proper invoice is submitted. (Prompt Payment Act – Public Law 97-177)

The itemized invoice shall be verified for certification of the services rendered during the billing period. The VA Contracting Officer’s Representative shall certify the Contractor’s invoice for payment of services rendered.

28.0 EVIDENCE OF INSURANCE COVERAGE

Before commencing work under this contract, the Contractor shall furnish certification to the Contracting Officer that the coverage required (General & Professional Liability as well as Workers Comp) has been obtained and such policy shall state, “This policy may not be changed or cancelled without written notice to the VA Contracting Officer, VA Network 22 Logistics Office. Said policy must bear an appropriate “loss payable clause’’ to the United States as its interest may appear. Such evidence of insurance will not be waived.