Naval Ambulatory Care Center
Portsmouth
NH
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The
Command:
In 1998, Naval Ambulatory Care Center Portsmouth NH, merged with
NACC Newport, RI, and NACC Groton, NH, to form a new command, Naval Health Care
New England. The Commanding Officer and Command Master Chief reside physically
in Newport but travel frequently and regularly throughout the 7 command
facilities which span 6 states and a driving distance of almost 8 hours. This
spread out command presents unique challenges - to maintain a sense of unity -
and opportunities - to share and benchmark best practices. After more than a
year in existence, this new model for Navy health care delivery continues to
evolve.
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The
MTF:
NACC Portsmouth, NH consists of four clinics stretching between
southeastern New Hampshire to northeastern Maine (about 45 miles from the
Canadian border). The clinics include NACC Portsmouth Naval Shipyard,
Portsmouth, NH; BMC Naval Air Station, Brunswick, ME; BMC Naval Security Group
Activity Winter Harbor, ME; and Naval Computer and Telecommunications Center,
Cutler, ME. The optometrist is located at the Portsmouth facility, an
interesting and well-maintained former Naval Hospital building built in 1913. It
was converted to a medical clinic in 1974. Staffing at the Portsmouth facility
includes 11 officers, 42 enlisted and 46 civilians. The clinic is 50%
occupational health (for shipyard civilian employees) and 50% TRICARE
beneficiaries. The medical staff consists of occupational health physicians,
general medical officers and physician assistants. The clinic web site address
is: navymedicine.med.navy.mil/nmclport/
A Deputy Commander with an
Executive Assistant heads the NACC organizational structure. The functioning of
these individuals (at the local level) is similar to CO/XO in most facilities.
There are three Directors - Health Management and Promotion (Medical Services),
Support and Development (Administration), and Resources Management (Fiscal and
Supply).
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Optometry:
The
Division of Optometry falls within the Specialty Services Department of the
Directorate for Health Management and Promotion. Other specialty services are
audiology, social work and physical therapy. Staff includes one optometrist, one
optometry student extern, and two civilian optometry technicians. Currently the
optometry students are from the Illinois College of Optometry and serve
three-month rotations throughout the year. Patients are a broad mix of ages and
beneficiary types, more than half being retirees and family members. The active
duty population in the area is approximately 1000. Due to the nature of the
shipyard, a large vision conservation program is in place, largely managed by
optometry - screening, examining, fitting, ordering and dispensing safety
glasses.
In April 1999, optometry implemented an evening clinic. The
optometrist works from 0700 to 1800, Monday through Wednesday and 0700 to 1530
on Friday. Corps staff (0000) rotate through the clinic for 2-3 month periods to
cover evening hour staffing and to enhance their cross training
experience.
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Collaterals:
Leadership
opportunities which have been held by optometrists in the past include: Division
Officer, Optometry; Head, Specialty Services; Director, Ancillary Services (no
longer an existing position); Chair, CSIB; Disaster Preparedness Coordinator;
Non-physician member to ECOMS; Keyperson, Navy Relief and CFC; TQL facilitator;
Leader, Command Assessment Team. All non-physician officers stand two beeper
watches - Command Duty Officer and Medical Representative to the Shipyard
Emergency Control Center (for radiological accidents). There is no 'Eye'
watch.
The author's opinion is that this command offers good
opportunities for career advancement for a LT. Small size and recent changes in
structure make it less attractive for a LCDR but it is a very nice area in which
to
retire.
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The
Area:
NACC Portsmouth NH, is located on Seavey Island in the Piscataqua
River which divides New Hampshire and Maine. The shipyard has a New Hampshire
zip code and a Maine phone number. The debate about which state actually owns
the island has been raging for years. The city of Portsmouth is a very nice,
"touristy" town with numerous restaurants, shops and musical venues. Boston is
60 miles south and Portland, ME, 45 miles north. There are plenty of beaches,
especially if you like 55 - 60 degree water temperatures in July! Mountains and
skiing are as close as an hour away. New Hampshire and Maine are noted for their
fall colors when the trees seem to catch fire with reds, oranges and yellows.
The leaves are exquisitely beautiful - until you have to rake the little suckers
- billions of them. Same goes for the snow. The University of New Hampshire and
New Hampshire College are close by and both offer a variety of Master's degree
programs including Health Care Administration. They both seem quite willing to
accept optometrists into these programs (plus any other scoundrel with the
requisite tuition). All in all, a very nice place to live and raise
children.
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