In chapter 11 we discussed the importance of personnel records and accounting systems in the Navy. In the Medical Department proper records administration is of even greater importance. We are charged with administering not only routine personnel records, but also clinical records that may affect the rights and benefits of patients and their dependents years beyond retirement or discharge.
The administrative affairs concerning inpatients and outpatients have reached such complexity that separate departments have been created to effectively administer them. As a senior hospital corpsman, you may be assigned to or be responsible for one of these departments. This chapter will provide information on the function of each department responsible for the administrative matters of hospital staff (active duty and civilian personnel), inpatients, and outpatients. It will also discuss, in brief, health care programs you may be involved with or be responsible for.
This department directs and coordinates the military personnel programs and the manpower analysis programs. The department can be divided into the Personnel Assignment Distribution Division, Staffing Division, Officer Personnel Division, Advancement and Inservice Training Division, Uniform Staffing Methodology Division, and Enlisted Personnel Division.
The Civilian Personnel Department coordinates the civilian personnel program with overall Navy, DOD, and Office of Personnel Management policies. This is accomplished by the following procedures:
1. Develops and implements a broad personnel management program comprised of employment and placement, wage and classification, employee development and training, employee benefits, incentive awards, discipline and labormanagement relations.
2. Provides employees and management with information and interpretations of laws, rules, regulations, and instructions pertaining to civilian personnel management, and issues both formal and informal local supplements to these directives.
3. Processes personnel documents and reports related to its program to ensure that legal requirements are met, communication facilitated, and management priorities are met.
The Navy policy for personnel administration is that each commanding officer must provide for sound management control, direction, and support of the personnel program to ensure consistent, efficient, and equitable personnel management throughout the Navy. The essential elements or functions of a comprehensive personnel program in the federal government, as described in the Federal Personnel Manual, are as follows:
1. Policy formulation and issuance
2. Position classification and pay administration
3. Staffing
4. Employee performance evaluation
5. Employee development
6. Employee relations and services
7. Employee recognition and incentives
8. Personnel records and reporting
9. Program evaluation
The assignment of responsibility for carrying out the activities of the personnel program is discussed in Navy civilian personnel instructions 15-1