FISCAL YEAR 2010 (FY10) AIR FORCE NURSE CORPS OFFICER ACCESSION BONUS (NAB)

Transcription

1 FISCAL YEAR 2010 (FY10) AIR FORCE NURSE CORPS OFFICER ACCESSION BONUS (NAB) A. PURPOSE: To promulgate pay rates and policy for the FY10 Nurse Corps Officer Special Pay Plan program. These instructions are effective 1 October Reference: OASD(HA) Extension of Fiscal Year 2008 Nurse Special Pay Plan Through Fiscal Year 2010, 6 October 2008 HA OASD Policy for Extension of the Fiscal Year 2008 Nurse Special Pay Plan through FY 2009, and as authorized IAW U.S.C. Title 37, Section 302d. B. APPLICABILITY: The provisions of this policy memorandum apply to members of the Air Force designated as nurses in the Active component. C. ELIGIBILITY: 1. Be a graduate of an accredited school of nursing, 2. Be qualified to become and remain a licensed registered nurse, 3. Be fully qualified to hold an appointment as a Regular commissioned officer, 4. Met an accession board on or after 1 October 2009 and not officially signed into their first duty station, 5. Execute a written contract to accept a Regular commission as an Air Force Nurse Corps officer and to serve on active duty consistent with the needs of the Air Force for a period of not less than three years (FY10 pay plan requires 4-year contract for eligibility of NAB). 6. Not be an individual currently on active duty (any component of any Service, officer or enlisted) or on active duty and receiving a commission into the AF Nurse Corps via AFI : Competitive Category Transfers, or AFI : Appointment in Commissioned Grades and Designation and Assignment in Professional Categories-Reserve of the AF and USAF. 7. Not be an individual who completed an enlisted commissioning program for accession into the Nurse Corps, to include the Airman Education and Commissioning Program or the Nurse Enlisted Commissioning Program. 8. Not be an individual who accepted or completed a Reserve Officer Training Cadet Scholarship, the Health Professions Scholarship Program, or the Financial Assistance Program. 9. Not be an officer holding an appointment as a Nurse Corps officer in either the Active or the Reserve component. Former Nurse Corps officers who no longer hold an appointment are eligible only if they have been honorably discharged from a Uniformed Service at least two years prior to execution of the written contract to receive the accession bonus.

2 D. AMOUNT: The Air Force may, upon acceptance of a written contract, and subject to the availability of funds and state and Federal taxes: 1. Pay an eligible individual in the amount of $20,000 as listed in Table 1 as a lump sum at the first permanent duty station in return for a four year commitment for the NAB as outlined in a written contract and has accepted Active Duty Health Professions Loan Repayment (ADHPLRP) assistance. The obligation for the NAB with HPLRP will be consecutive with the obligation incurred with the HPLRP contract. The total obligation for acceptance of both programs is six-years. 2. Pay an accession bonus as listed in Table 1 to an eligible individual in the amount of $30,000 as a lump sum at the first permanent duty station in return for a four year commitment as outlined in a written contract. 3. Anyone who met an accession board on or after 1 October 2009 and signed a written contract to receive the NAB on or prior to 30 September 2010, and the written contract is signed prior to arrival at their first permanent duty station, and is eligible per Section C (above) may be paid a NAB at their first permanent duty station upon acceptance of a written contract. 4. Newly accessed Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist eligible for the NAB may also be eligible for the multi-year Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Incentive Special Pay upon privileging at their first permanent duty station. E. ENDORSEMENT REQUIREMENTS: All NAB contracts must be signed by the intended recipient on or prior to 30 Sept Also, the contracts must be endorsed by the Recruiting Flight Commander (Flight Chief) or designee. Endorsements must include a typed or stamped signature block for identification purposes. F. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS: Contracts received by HQ AFRS without the appropriate signatures and/or initials as required will be returned without action. G. RECOUPMENT: 1. An officer who receives an NAB and who fails to become and remain licensed as a professional registered nurse during the continuous period for which the payment is made shall refund to the United States an amount equal to the full amount of such payment. 2. For an officer who is dismissed or discharged for cause or permanently disqualified for further military service, (such as misconduct, willful neglect, unauthorized absence) or voluntary terminates the active duty obligation (ADO), the unearned NAB pay will be recouped by the government on a pro rata basis based on length of ADO actually served, unless the failure to complete the period of active duty specified in the contract is due to death not the result of his or her misconduct. 3. Termination/withhold action will result in recoupment. The Air Force Surgeon General can terminate/withhold at any time an officer s contracted entitlement to Special Pay to include FY10 NC Pay Plan 1 Oct 09 v4 Page 2 of 26

3 accession bonuses. If conditions of the written special pay contract are not fulfilled, this will cause termination of the contract. Other reasons for termination may include, but are not limited to: court-martial conviction, violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, failure to remain certified, unprofessional conduct, incompetence, noncompliance with Air Force professional practice standards, substandard performance or reasons that are in the best interest of the Air Force. If entitlement to one or more special pays is terminated, and the individual is subject to statutory repayment provisions, the individual shall be required to repay the United States the percentage of the pay representing the unexpired part of the service for which the pay was provided. 4. An obligation to reimburse the United States is, for all purposes, a debt owed to the United States. To comply with the statutory repayment provisions of 37 U.S.C 303a(e), Repayment of Unearned Portion of Bonuses, recoupment will be sought in accordance with federal law and all applicable federal, Department of Defense and Department of the Air Force guidance. H. BANKRUPTCY: A discharge in bankruptcy under Title 11 that is entered less than five years after the termination of the NAB contract does not discharge a person from a debt arising under such contract or Section G. (Recoupment). I. NAB PROGRAM MANAGEMENT: AF/RSOC is the program manager for the NAB. AF/RSOC will accomplish and disseminate applicable guidance and contracts in compliance with this plan. Table 1 Nurse Accession Bonus (NAB) Years of Obligation Lump Sum Payment 4-yr Accession Bonus with $20,000 consecutive 2-yr ADHPLRP 4-yr Accession Bonus $30,000 FY10 NC Pay Plan 1 Oct 09 v4 Page 3 of 26

4 FISCAL YEAR 2010 AIR FORCE NURSE CORPS OFFICER SPECIAL PAY PLAN A. PURPOSE: To promulgate pay rates and policy for the FY10 Nurse Special Pay Plan program. These instructions are effective 1 October Reference: OASD(HA) Extension of Fiscal Year 2008 Nurse Special Pay Plan Through Fiscal Year 2010, 6 October 2008 HA OASD Policy for Extension of the Fiscal Year 2008 Nurse Special Pay Plan through FY 2009, and as authorized IAW U.S.C. Title 37, Section 302e. B. APPLICABILITY: 1. The provisions of this policy memorandum apply only to officers of the Active Duty Air Force designated as nurses in the Nurse Corps who possess a current, unrestricted license (or approved DoD waiver) as a prerequisite to enter into any special pay contract, and who are on active duty or under a call or order to active duty. C. RETAINABILITY: 1. For Nurse Corps officers eligible to complete 20 years active duty service by age 62, the signature on the special pay contract constitutes authorization for use of the contract as a source document to extend their retainability to allow for completion of the contract ADO. 2. Nurse Corps officers who, upon reaching age 61, wish to remain on Active Duty status at age 62 and beyond, but not to exceed age 68, must apply for a Secretary of Air Force age waiver through the AFPC/DPAM office. The medical special pay office does not process age waiver determinations. The age waiver must be accomplished before the extension of retainability is requested and special pay can be authorized. A delay in submitting retainability extension will cause a delay in special pay payments. 3. The National Defense Authorization Act of 2005 stipulated that all active duty officers eligible for Regular Air Force would be automatically converted to Regular Air Force by 1 May This established an indefinite date of separation (DOS) for those able to complete 20 years active duty service by age Nurse Corps officers who are not eligible to complete 20 years active duty service by age 62, will first have to obtain retainability via a Specified-Period-of-Time-Contract (SPTC) with an established date of separation not to exceed their 68 th birthday, prior to submitting a completed special pay contract. The medical special pay office does not process SPTCs. An SPTC is approved if it is in the best interest of the AF. An SPTC may not be used to extend a date of separation just to qualify for special pay. In the case of single-year pay types where the officer has enough retainability via a different pre-existing active duty service commitment, a SPTC is not necessary. NOTE: All Colonel DOS changes are managed by the Colonel s Group. For Lieutenant Colonel and below, HQ AFPC/DPAMF1 coordinates with assignment officer on actions for DOS changes related to medical special pay contracts. Age waivers and SPTCs do not process through Medical Special Pays. FY10 NC Pay Plan 1 Oct 09 v4 Page 4 of 26

5 D. CERTIFIED REGISTERED NURSE ANESTHETIST INCENTIVE SPECIAL PAY (CRNA- ISP): 1. ELIGIBILITY: A Nurse Corps officer: a. Who is below the grade of 0-7, b. Who is an officer of the Air Force designated as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) holding a fully qualified Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) of 46Y3M, c. Is on active duty or under a call or order to active duty for a continuous period of not less than one year, d. Executes a written contract to remain on active duty for at least one year beginning on the date of the contract for which the CRNA-ISP is to be paid, e. Has sufficient retainability to complete the active duty obligation ADO incurred by the special pay contract, f. Has an active, valid, fully unrestricted nursing license, g. Is certified as a CRNA, h. Is credentialed and privileged as a CRNA at the military treatment facility for which the CRNA-ISP is to be paid. 2. AMOUNTS: Annual payment amounts for CRNA-ISP contracts, beginning in FY10, will be in the amounts for contracts indicated in Table 2. a. The Air Force, upon acceptance of the written contract and subject to the availability of funds and state and Federal taxes, may pay the following incentives in a lump-sum amount as described below. CRNAs must ensure they have the retainability to serve ADO for the contract as specified their requested contract. b. An eligible officer who has more than 12 months remaining on the initial CRNA training obligation may be paid $10,000 upon acceptance of a one-year written contract. c. An eligible officer who has an obligation of less than 12 months remaining on the initial CRNA training obligation may enter into the appropriate multiyear contracts: (1) $25,000 per year for a two-year contract, (2) $35,000 per year for a three-year contract, (3) $40,000 per year for a four-year contract. d. An eligible officer who has completed all obligations for initial CRNA training is eligible for single year contract of $20,000, or any multiyear contract above, if eligible. FY10 NC Pay Plan 1 Oct 09 v4 Page 5 of 26

6 E. NURSE CORPS INCENTIVE SPECIAL PAY (NC-ISP): 1. ELIGIBILITY: Nurse Corps officer: a. Who is below the grade of O-7, b. Is an officer of the Air Force designated as a nurse, c. Is on active duty or under a call or order to active duty for a continuous period of not less than three years, d. Executes a written contract to remain on active duty for at least one year beginning on the date of the contract for which the NC-ISP is to be paid, e. Must agree to remain in one of the assigned clinical duty areas indicated in 2.c.(2) for the life of the contract if the contract is for a multi-year contract, unless reassigned due to needs of the Air Force, f. Has sufficient retainability to complete the active duty obligation incurred by the special pay contract, g. Is a fully qualified registered nurse with an active, full unrestricted license and awarded a primary, secondary, or tertiary AFSC in a designated specialty listed below: (1) 46A: Nurse Administrator (2) 46F: Flight Nurse (3) 46N: Clinical Nurse (Medical/Surgical, Pediatric, Community Health) (4) 46NxD: Education & Training (5) 46NxE: Critical Care Nurse (6) 46NxF: Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse (7) 46NxG: Obstetrics/gynecological (OB/GYN) Nurse (8) 46NxJ: Emergency/Trauma Nurse (9) 46Px: Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse (10) 46Sx: Perioperative Nurse (11) 46YxA: Women s Health Nurse Practitioner (12) 46YxB: Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (13) 46YxC: Adult Health or Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (14) 46YxG: Nurse Midwife (15) 46YxH: Family Nurse Practitioner (16) 46YxP: Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner h. Must have completed a specialty nursing course approved by the Air Force Surgeon General or a graduate nursing program directly related to one of the approved clinical specialties listed above by the AF Surgeon General FY10 NC Pay Plan 1 Oct 09 v4 Page 6 of 26

7 i. Must hold a certification directly applicable to one of the designated clinical nursing specialties listed above. Certification must be a nationally recognized, expert credential reserved for those who meet rigorous practice hours required by certification agency, continuing education and testing requirements in the nursing specialty, (1) The Assistant Surgeon General for Medical Force Development has published the list of current approved certification agencies and specialty courses (2) The current approved list for FY10 is at Attachment 1 of this document. j. For eligibility purposes, officers must: Option I (single-year contract) - have completed or have less than 12-months remaining on any active duty obligation (ADO), or Option II (multi-year contract) - must have completed any ADO as a result of accepting: (1) Nurse Accession Bonus (NAB) (2) Accession Health Professions Loan Repayment Program (HPLRP) assistance (3) Reserve Officer Training Cadet (ROTC) Scholarship (4) Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) (5) Airman Education and Commissioning Program (AECP) (6) Nurse Enlisted Commissioning Program (NECP) Scholarship. 2. AMOUNTS: Annual payment amounts for NC-ISP contracts, beginning in FY10, will be in the amounts for contracts indicated in Table 2. a. The Air Force, upon acceptance of the written contract and subject to the availability of funds and state and Federal taxes, may pay the following incentives in annual lump sum amounts as described below. Nurse Corps officers must ensure they have the retainability to serve the entire ADO for their requested contract and meet additional eligibility requirements for multi-year contracts as specified below: b. Single Year Contract (Option I): (1) Amount of $5,000/yr for a one year commitment is authorized as follows: (2) All Nurse Corps officers meeting eligibility criteria in Section E.1. (above), to include Nurse Corps officers fulfilling a commitment incurred by AFITsponsored graduate education (3) The one year contract is renewable annually as long as current certification in one of the specialty areas is maintained. Certification must be maintained for the life of the contract. Service commitment incurred by the NC-ISP must not exceed certification expiration date by greater than 90 days as verified by the Chief Nurse (CN) or designee. c. Multiyear Contract (Option II): (1) Eligibility for a multiyear contract with 2-, 3-, or 4-year payout is limited to and authorized for only those nurse specialties meeting eligibility criteria in E.1. for the specific nurse specialties listed in Section E.1.g. and permanently assigned to FY10 NC Pay Plan 1 Oct 09 v4 Page 7 of 26

8 and providing full-time duty performance in areas listed in E.2.c.(2) or meeting full-time duty performance as listed below in E.2.c.(3) as verified by the Chief Nurse (CN) or designee. (2) Nurse Corps officers must be permanently assigned to, and providing full-time duty performance, to include clinical preceptorship, in the following clinical practice areas (as verified by the CN or designee): (a) Inpatient Nursing Care Units (b) Labor & Delivery/Inpatient Obstetrics Units (c) Critical Care or Special Care Units (including NICU and PICU) (d) Emergency Rooms (ER) (e) ERs transitioned to 24-hour Urgent Care Clinics (f) Operating Rooms (g) Post Anesthesia Care Units (h) Ambulatory Surgery Units (i) Clinical Training Platforms i.e. CSTARs, NTP, ER/Trauma, Perioperative (j) Clinical Fellowships (Critical Care/ER) (k) Clinical Flying Assignment (Must be in x-coded billet) (l) Education & Training (3) Or, Nurse Corps officers must be permanently assigned to, and provide full-time duty performance as credentialed and privileged providers, to include clinical preceptorship, in the following specialties (as verified by the CN or designee): (a) 46Y3A/B/C/H/P (practitioner) (b) 46Y3G (midwife) (4) Nurse Corps officers meeting the additional eligibility requirements as listed in this section (E.2.c.(1) and (2) or (3)) may take a single-year NC-ISP as previously listed, or may be eligible to take a multiyear NC-ISP as follows: (a) In the amount of $10,000/yr for a two year commitment (b) In the amount of $15,000/yr for a three year commitment (c) In the amount of $20,000/yr for a four year commitment. FY10 NC Pay Plan 1 Oct 09 v4 Page 8 of 26

9 F. RENEGOTIATION OF CRNA-ISP/NC-ISP CONTRACTS: 1. Subject to acceptance by the Air Force Surgeon General (or designee), a Nurse Corps officer with an existing CRNA-ISP/NC-ISP contract may only terminate that contract to enter into a new CRNA-ISP/NC-ISP contract with a longer obligation or at a higher annual rate in effect at the time of execution of the new CRNA-ISP/NC-ISP contract. Any unearned portion of the terminated contract shall be recouped. 2. There is no provision to allow renegotiation from a contract with a longer obligation or higher annual rate to a contract with a lesser obligation or lower annual rate. There is no provision to allow early termination of the contract with or without recoupment except as below. 3. A CRNA or other eligible Nurse Corps officers with an existing single-year CRNA-ISP or NC-ISP contract and no ADO for medical education or training (AFIT/Fellowship) may, after completing at least 20 years of active service, request to terminate the current CRNA-ISP or NC- ISP contract and execute a new 12-month contract for the period covering the final year prior to retirement. The requesting member must submit a copy of their retirement orders and a new CRNA-ISP or NC-ISP contract, endorsed by the appropriate approval authority to HQ AFPC/DPAMF1. The unearned portion of the adjusted CRNA-ISP or NC-ISP will be recouped on a pro rata basis. NOTE: This paragraph is not applicable if the member is on a multiyear contract. G. ACTIVE DUTY OBLIGATION (ADO): 1. Active Duty Obligation (ADO) will be calculated as follows: a. The ADO for the CRNA-ISP contract will be served concurrent with the ADO for initial CRNA education and training and any other service obligation. b. The ADO for NC-ISP is served concurrent with any other service obligation. 2. All personnel on 1-yr contracts are eligible to apply for AFIT and other careerbroadening programs. 3. Nurse Corps officers on multi-year contracts may apply for clinical cross-training courses (i.e. NICU, OR), Flight Nurse, or other clinical fellowships if the training qualifies the person in one of the listed specialties for Special Pay under Section E.1.g. and have subsequent assignment to a work area as listed in Section E Nurse Corps officers on multi-year NC-ISP contracts may not apply for AFIT (long courses) unless they will be within their last 12 months of their NC-ISP contract as calculated at the AFIT start-date. 5. Nurse Corps officers on multi-year NC-ISP contracts may not apply for Squadron Command, Chief Nurse, Developmental Education or other career broadening (non-clinical) FY10 NC Pay Plan 1 Oct 09 v4 Page 9 of 26

10 programs unless they will be within their last 12 months of their NC-ISP contract at time of the official application process or the Call for Candidates. 6. Nurse Corps officers on a multi-year NC-ISP contract must stay in their contracted duty area until their last year of the contract, and only then are eligible to apply for AFIT or other career broadening opportunities. 7. The NC-ISP ADO will be concurrent to the obligation incurred by the AFIT or other career broadening assignment. H. ADMINISTRATION OF CRNA-ISP/NC-ISP CONTRACTS: 1. CRNA-ISP/NC-ISP payments for contracts beginning on or after October 1, 2009, will be in the amounts listed in Table 2. Unless otherwise listed, subspecialties of the primary specialty are included with the primary specialty. 2. CRNA-ISP/NC-ISP may be paid during the same fiscal year in which the qualifying medical education training ADO is completed due to timing of out-of-cycle graduation of all approved courses. 3. The Surgeon General of the Air Force (or designee) may approve recommendations for CRNA-ISP payments to fully qualified CRNA Nurse Corps officers assigned to positions requiring a substantial portion of time performing military unique duties under adverse conditions or in remote OCONUS locations or that preclude the ability to spend appropriate time in a clinical setting. Requests for CRNA-ISP under these conditions will include endorsement by the member s Authorized Endorsing Authority under Option III on the CRNA-ISP contract. 4. There is no Option III waiver for multi-year NC-ISP contracts for those Nurse Corps officers assigned to positions requiring a substantial portion of time performing military unique duties under adverse conditions or in remote OCONUS locations or that preclude the ability to spend appropriate time in a clinical setting. 5. CRNA-ISP/NC-ISP recipients are not precluded from transitioning from a single-year pay program into a multi-year pay program for the qualifying specialty once they are eligible to do so. However, CRNA-ISP/NC-ISP recipients are precluded from transitioning from a multiyear contract to a lesser pay program. 6. CRNA-ISP recipient cannot receive NC-ISP in addition to CRNA-ISP pay. NC-ISP recipient cannot receive CRNA-ISP in addition to NC-ISP. Those members that meet eligibility requirements for both CRNA-ISP and NC-ISP or multiple NC-ISP may accept only the one ISP for the nurse specialty they are currently assigned against and most qualified. 7. Contracts will be executed the first day of the previous month in which the member signed the contract as long as the member was qualified and on active duty on the date to be used as the execution date, the endorsing authority signed within 1 month (30 days) of the date that the member signed the contract, and the contract is received by HQ AFPC/DPAMF1 within 2 FY10 NC Pay Plan 1 Oct 09 v4 Page 10 of 26

11 months (60 days) of the member s signature. Contracts signed in October may be effective and executed as of 1 October, pending eligibility. I. CHIEF NURSE VERIFICATION: 1. The Chief Nurse (CN) or designee will determine and validate that Nurse Corps officers meet the eligibility criteria of NC-ISP (Section E.1. and E.2.) as listed in the FY10 AF Nurse Corps officer Special Pay Plan to include appropriate certification for AFSC listed, educational requirements, assignment to clinical practice areas and full-time clinical duty performance, prior to recommending award of the appropriate contract option. NOTE: Due to the difference in the plans, the CN is not required to validate CRNA-ISP unless requested to do so by local policy. 2. If the CN is the requestor, they will sign CN is the requestor in the CN validation box before submitting to the Authorized Endorsing Authority for final signature. 3. The CN or designee is responsible for coordinating between the member and Nurse Assignments Branch (HQ AFPC/DPAMN) on appropriate duty assignments in the specific clinical practice areas of those officers awarded multi-year NC-ISP. 4. Commanders and CN or designee must make every effort to ensure contracted nurses remain assigned to and in the contracted duty area for the duration of their contract. NOTE: It is not the intent of this program to allow rotation of nurse staff though the designated clinical duty areas to meet eligibility requirements of the pay plan. I. MEMBER S RESPONSIBILITIES: Each officer must independently renew and keep copies of her/his CRNA-ISP/NC-ISP contract. J. COMMANDER S VERIFICATION: The final determination for CRNA-ISP/NC-ISP recommendation will rest with the command authority at the local level IAW Section E of SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR ENDORSEMENT, SUBMISSION, AND TERMINATION OF FY10 NURSE CORPS OFFICER SPECIAL PAY and in coordination with/recommendation from the CN or designee (required for NC-ISP contract). K. NURSE CORPS BOARD CERTIFICATION PAY (NC-BCP). 1. Nurse Corps officers holding an AFSC for purposes of Board Certification Pay must meet additional eligibility criteria for this entitlement as set forth by the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs) and the Air Force Medical Service. The member must be on active duty status, or under a call or order to active duty for a period of not less than one year. Member must also have and maintain a current and valid license, registration, or approved waiver and be board certified in accordance with DoDI for the board deemed eligible for pay by the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs) in the memorandum, subject: Diplomate Pay for Psychologists and Board Certification Pay for Non-Physician Health Care Providers dated 9 March Once all eligibility requirements are met, the member may be entitled to NC-BCP at the annual amounts subject to applicable State and Federal taxes, based on years of credible FY10 NC Pay Plan 1 Oct 09 v4 Page 11 of 26

12 service listed in Table 3 and upon initial full-time assignment to duties for the AFSC of which the board is awarded. 2. Members initially requesting board certification pay must be properly awarded the appropriate AFSC and must be assigned full-time in an authorized position for that AFSC at that location and function as a full-time privileged provider in that role. With initial request for BCP, NPs and midwives will obtain appropriate privileges IAW AFI , Medical Quality Operations, prior to assuming provider responsibilities. To request NC-BCP, qualified Nurse Corps officers must submit copies of their board certification notification letter and postbaccalaureate degree to HQ AFPC/DPAMF1 per instructions on their website: The requesting member must include their rank and SSN. Once HQ AFPC/DPAMF1 receives the notification letter, the member should receive the pay in two to three pay periods. 3. Members that are board certified but have not been properly awarded the appropriate AFSC by holding a full-time position as a NP/Midwife and/or have not performed authorized duties while permanently assigned to an authorized position for that AFSC are not entitled to board certification pay. 4. Members should submit re-certification information upon board renewal by sending a copy of their re-certification notification letter to HQ AFPC/DPAMF1 per instructions on the website. The requesting member must include their rank and SSN. 5. Nurse Practitioners (NP) and midwives must be awarded the appropriate AFSC and be assigned (or have been assigned in the past) authorized NP/midwife positions to function in a full-time privileged provider role to be eligible for board certification pay. 6. NPs/Midwives and advanced practice nurses who are not in patient care billets (i.e., Chief Nurse, HCI, Squadron Commander, HQ Staff, etc.) must maintain their board certification as current in order to continue their eligibility pay. 7. For any AFSC, once the board certification expires or is no longer current, it is the member s responsibility to inform Medical Special Pays to perform a Stop Pay action effective the first day of the month after the board certification expires. Any money received after this date will be recouped by the government as described under Special Instructions Section B. Recoupment. 8. HQ AFPC/DPAMF1 is not responsible for updating AFSCs, prefixes, or suffixes. The member must work with their CSS and AFPC/DPAMN to update their records for board and specialty designators on AF Form Certification Interrupted by Contingency Operations: a. A Nurse Corps officer who otherwise meets the eligibility requirements in paragraph K.1. of this section (above), but due to deployment to a contingency operation was unable to complete the board certification requirement, who then completes the board certification or FY10 NC Pay Plan 1 Oct 09 v4 Page 12 of 26

13 recertification requirements before the end of the 180-day period following deployment (extended for such additional time as the Secretary of Defense determines to be appropriate) is eligible for retroactive NC-BCP. b. The retroactive NC-BCP will begin on the original date of the board exam or the date on which the member was deployed in support of a contingency operation and end on the date of obtaining the certification or recertification or 180 days post-deployment, whichever is shorter. 10. Initial and Retroactive NC-BCP: a. The Effective (Execution) date shall be the date of certification of the board. b. CONUS and OCONUS members requesting initial or retroactive BCP of less than six months under this plan must provide copies of the qualifying post-baccalaureate degree, license, and board certification by mail to address: HQ AFPC/DPAMF1 (Attn: Medical Special Pays) 550 C Street West, Suite 27 Randolph AFB TX c. Current members requesting retroactive BSC of more than six months but less than five fiscal years must submit by mail proof as in paragraph b. (above) and a letter of justification stating: (1) the dates of retroactive BCP requested, (2) the continuous dates of board certification, (3) endorsement by the requesting member s local credentialing office or group commander equivalent. d. Board certification for purposes of retroactive pay is limited to the first period the member was not continuously certified OR five fiscal years in arrears due to AF budgetary accounting constraints. No payment can be verified in DFAS past five fiscal years and no retroactive payment will be made if it cannot be verified in the DFAS accounting system. FY10 NC Pay Plan 1 Oct 09 v4 Page 13 of 26

14 Specialty CRNA >12 mo ADO remaining on INITIAL CRNA training obligation CRNA w/12 mo or less ADO remaining on INITIAL CRNA training obligation CRNA w/ no ADO remaining on INITIAL CRNA training obligation Table 2 FY10 CRNA-ISP and NC-ISP Pay Rates FY10 FY10 1yr 2yr Contract Contract Rate Rate $10,000 Not Eligible Not Eligible FY10 3yr Contract Rate Not Eligible FY10 4yr Contract Rate Not Eligible $25,000 $35,000 $40,000 $20,000 $25,000 $35,000 $40,000 Nurse Administrator $5,000 Not Not Not Eligible Eligible Eligible Flight Nurse $5,000 $10,000 $15,000 $20,000 Education & Training $5,000 $10,000 $15,000 $20,000 Nurse Midwife $5,000 $10,000 $15,000 $20,000 Clinical Nurse (Medical/Surgical) $5,000 $10,000 $15,000 $20,000 Women s Health Nurse Practitioner $5,000 $10,000 $15,000 $20,000 Pediatric Nurse Practitioner $5,000 $10,000 $15,000 $20,000 Adult Health/Acute Care Nurse Practitioner $5,000 $10,000 $15,000 $20,000 Critical Care Nurse $5,000 $10,000 $15,000 $20,000 Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse $5,000 $10,000 $15,000 $20,000 Obstetrics/gynecological (OB/GYN) Nurse $5,000 $10,000 $15,000 $20,000 Family Nurse Practitioner $5,000 $10,000 $15,000 $20,000 Emergency/Trauma Nurse $5,000 $10,000 $15,000 $20,000 Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse $5,000 $10,000 $15,000 $20,000 Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner $5,000 $10,000 $15,000 $20,000 Perioperative/Surgical Nurse $5,000 $10,000 $15,000 $20,000 Table 3 Nurse Corps Board Certified Pay (NC-BCP) Years of Creditable Service Annual Entitlement (paid in equal monthly installments Less than 10 $2,000 At least 10, less than 12 $2,500 At least 12, less than 14 $3,000 At least 14, less than 18 $4, or more $5,000 FY10 NC Pay Plan 1 Oct 09 v4 Page 14 of 26

15 SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR ENDORSEMENT, SUBMISSION, AND TERMINATION OF FY10 NURSE CORPS OFFICER SPECIAL PAY A. TERMINATION/WITHHOLD OF ENTITLEMENT TO SPECIAL PAY: 1. All withhold/termination actions must be routed through HQ USAF/SG for final determination. 2. The Air Force Surgeon General can terminate/withhold at any time an officer s entitlement to contractual special pays. If conditions of the written special pay contract are not fulfilled, this will trigger termination/withhold of pay under the contract. Other reasons for termination may include, but are not limited to: loss of privileges, court-martial conviction, violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, failure to maintain a current license, certification, or registration to practice their specialty as referenced in the eligibility of these pay plans and contracts, unprofessional conduct, medical/dental incompetence, noncompliance with Air Force professional practice standards, substandard performance or reasons that are in the best interest of the Air Force. If entitlement to one or more of the aforementioned special pays is terminated, and the individual is subject to statutory repayment provisions, the individual shall be required to repay the United States the percentage of the pay representing the unexpired part of the service for which the pay was provided. 3. There is an exception to the above expectation to fulfill conditions of the contract. If an individual becomes unable to fulfill the conditions of an contract due to death, not the result of his or her misconduct, repayment shall not be sought, and any unpaid portion of a bonus or special pay is to be included in a deceased individual s final pay account. Additional exceptions may be granted if repayment would be contrary to a personnel policy or management objective, would be against equity and good conscience, or would be contrary to the best interest of the United States. The Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness) may establish criteria for granting exceptions under this paragraph and may delegate that authority in writing. 4. Initiating Withholding/Terminating Action. The individual who is the Authorized Endorsing Authority for the member s contractual special pay (usually the member s medical group commander, or the MAJCOM/SG for hospital and clinic commanders), may recommend withholding or terminating contractual special pays. Commanders initiate an action by notifying the officer concerned, in writing (Tab A, Figure 1-1), that they are recommending withholding or terminating the officer s contractual special pays and stating the reasons for the recommendation. List documents that support the withholding or termination as attachments to the letter of notification. Such documents may include, but are not limited to, evaluation letters, credentials committee reports, consultants trip reports, and security police or redacted Office of Special Investigations reports. The documents attached to the letter of notification should give a complete picture of the situation. The letter of notification should: explain in detail one or more specific reasons for withholding or terminating special pay; provide the officer with copies of all substantiating documents; direct the officer to acknowledge receipt of the notification letter (Tab A, Figure 1-2) and date the acknowledgement; advise the officer that, if desired, the individual may submit a written rebuttal to accompany the recommendation for withholding or terminating FY10 NC Pay Plan 1 Oct 09 v4 Page 15 of 26

16 special pay; and advise that the individual has 10 calendar days from the date of acknowledgement for submitting the written rebuttal. Send the original withhold/termination recommendation by cover letter through the base Judge Advocate, then the MAJCOM/SG (who must make a written recommendation) to HQ AFPC/ DPAMF1. The MAJCOM/SG may add no additional information unless the officer concerned is notified of the information added and given a reasonable opportunity to make a reply regarding any of the added information. Payment of contractual special pay is suspended when an officer is notified of action to recommend withholding/termination of such pay pending HQ USAF/SG final decision. 5. HQ AFPC Review. HQ AFPC/DPAMF1 will review only documents properly included in the recommendation package. HQ AFPC/DPAM will make a recommendation to HQ USAF/SG, who makes the final decision. HQ AFPC/DPAMF1 coordinates each case with the AFPC Staff Judge Advocate (HQ AFPC/JA) before forwarding to HQ USAF/SG. 6. Effective Date of Withhold/Termination Action. If HQ USAF/SG approves special pay withhold/termination, the withhold/termination effective date is the date the officer acknowledged receipt of the letter of notification. If the officer refused or failed to acknowledge the letter of notification, the effective date is the date of the letter of notification. If HQ USAF/SG approves special pay withholding, the officer does not receive any portion of the bonus. When USAF/SG approves termination of the special pay, the effective date determines the unexpired part of service. If the individual is subject to statutory repayment provisions, the individual shall be required to repay the United States the percentage of the pay representing the unexpired part of the service for which the pay was provided. 7. Reinstatement of Special Pay. Terminated special pay contracts will not be reinstated. If an officer s performance improves, the commander may approve a new special pay contract. The commander sends the new contract and documents substantiating improved performance through the MAJCOM/SG for endorsement and forwarding to HQ AFPC/DPAMF1. B. RECOUPMENT: 1. The contractual special pay program constitutes a voluntary retention program; unless a waiver approved by the Secretary of the Air Force or designee is obtained, the member will not be released from active duty before fulfilling the term of continuous active duty agreed to, even if that obligation will extend the member beyond 20 years of active federal service. 2. An officer who receives a contractual special pay or board certification pay and who fails to remain privileged, credentialed, certified, or licensed as a Nurse Corps officer during the continuous period as required for which the payment is made shall refund to the United States an amount equal to the full amount of such payment. 3. For an officer who is dismissed or discharged for cause or permanently disqualified for further military service for any reason, (including, but not limited to, misconduct, willful neglect, unauthorized absence) or voluntary terminates the Active Duty Obligation (ADO), the unearned special pay will be recouped by the government on a pro rata basis based on length of ADO actually served. FY10 NC Pay Plan 1 Oct 09 v4 Page 16 of 26

17 4. The exception to the above expectation to fulfill conditions of the contract is death of the member not the result of his or her misconduct. In this event, repayment shall not be sought, and any unpaid portion of a bonus or special pay is to be included in a deceased individual s final pay account. Additional exceptions may be granted if repayment would be contrary to a personnel policy or management objective, would be against equity and good conscience, or would be contrary to the best interest of the United States. The Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness) may establish criteria for granting exceptions under this paragraph and may delegate that authority in writing. 5. An obligation to reimburse the United States is, for all purposes, a debt owed to the United States. To comply with the statutory repayment provisions, recoupment will be sought in accordance with of 37 U.S.C 303a(e), Repayment of Unearned Portion of Bonuses, and conducted in accordance with DoD FMR Volume 7A, Chapter 2 and 21. C. BANKRUPTCY: A discharge in bankruptcy under Title 11 that is entered less than five years after the termination of the special pay contract does not discharge a person from a debt arising under such contract or Section B. (above). D. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS: 1. All FY10 medical special pay contracts must be obtained from the The site is DotMil restricted but can be accessed from anywhere with an authorized CAC reader and an AF Medical Service Knowledge Exchange (Kx) membership. Apply for a Kx membership by going to < click Join the Kx in the left column, select the full membership request form (on the left), fill it in and press apply. Upon receipt of an approved membership, go to the new web site, login, and click Subscribe in the upper right corner. This will ensure members receive an notice (once daily) whenever a change occurs to the site. Please note a person does not need to re-apply for Kx membership if one is already approved. 2. Each applicable block of the contract must be initialed by the requesting member. The bottom of page one of the contract must be signed by the requesting member where indicated. 3. All contracts must be endorsed at the appropriate level as indicated in this document below. Endorsements must include a typed or stamped signature block for identification purposes. Contracts received by HQ AFPC/DPAMF1 without the proper endorsement and/or signature block will be returned without action. 4. In order for FY10 contracts to be processed for payment, they must (a) be signed by the member on or after 1 October 2009; and (b) be signed by the endorsing authority and be received by HQ AFPC/DPAMF1 no later than 30 Oct Contracts may be effective the first day of the previous month in which the member signed the contract as long as: the member was on active duty on the date to be used as the effective date; the endorsing authority signed within 1 month of the date that the member signed the contract; and the contract is received by HQ FY10 NC Pay Plan 1 Oct 09 v4 Page 17 of 26

18 AFPC/DPAMF1 within 2 months of the member s signature. Contracts signed in October may be effective 1 October. 5. Stateside locations must mail the signed original contract to: HQ AFPC/DPAMF1 (Attn: Medical Special Pays) 550 C Street West, Suite 27 Randolph AFB TX Faxed/scanned contracts will only be accepted on a case-by-case basis, when necessary, and in support of members assigned to overseas/remote/deployed locations. Do not mail originals of faxed or scanned copies, they are not required and may cause unnecessary processing delays. OCONUS/deployed members may fax their contracts to DSN (commercial 210/ ) or scan/ contracts to afpcdpamf1.fax@randolph.af.mil. 7. Each member is ultimately responsible for requesting/monitoring his/her special pays. Members should maintain a copy of the pay plan(s) and signed contract(s) for their records should questions or delays arise. Follow local guidance, if any, to obtain endorsements and submit requests. NOTE: It is not a HQ AFPC/DPAMF1 requirement that special pay contracts be processed through the member s Military Personnel Flight (MPF). E. ENDORSEMENT OF SPECIAL PAY CONTRACTS: 1. The Chief Nurse or authorized designee will initially validate all CRNA-ISP and NC-ISP contracts within their organizational structure before submitting to the authorized endorsing authority. 2. Wing-level and below: Military Treatment Facility (MTF) and Limited-Scope Medical Treatment Facility (LSMTF) commanders must have their contracts endorsed by their rater a. MTF Commanders are the endorsing authority for special pay contracts within their organization. Medical Center Vice-Commanders may be designated as the endorsing authority. Acting Deputy Commanders and Squadron Commanders do not have endorsing authority unless a Copy of the AF IMT 35, Request and Authorization for Assumption of/appointment to Command, indicating they have been temporarily assigned as the Group or Deputy Group Commander due to the absence of the MTF Commander/Vice Commander (due to PCS, deployment, etc.) accompanies each contract. However, they must sign the contracts indicating they are the Group or Deputy Group Commander in their signature block. b. LSMTF Commanders are the endorsing authority for special pay contracts within their organization. However, they must sign the contracts indicating they are the Medical Treatment Facility Commander in their signature block. There is no authority to delegate duty to a deputy at these sites. Authorized LSMTFs for FY10 include only these sites: McChord, Pope, RAF Upwood, Croughton, Geilenkirchen, Menwith Hill. FY10 NC Pay Plan 1 Oct 09 v4 Page 18 of 26

19 c. Flight Surgeons and Flight Nurses assigned to Squadron Medical Elements must have their line squadron commander endorse their contracts with suggested coordination through the local Medical Group Commander and credentials office. 3. Above Wing-level: Directors and MAJCOM Surgeons may have their contracts endorsed by their rater or the senior AF medical person in their direct functional authority. a. Eligible members who are assigned in staff agencies should have their contracts endorsed at the director level (any Service if Joint) in their organization (i.e., AFMSA, AFMOA, MAJCOM, TRICARE Agencies, Joint agencies, Direct Reporting Units, AF Elements) or the senior AF medical member in their direct functional authority. b. USUHS personnel may have their contracts endorsed by the first O-6 in their immediate rating chain, after which the completed form can be mailed directly to Medical Special Pays per instructions listed in Section D.5. of the Special Instructions section in this plan. All O-6 s assigned to USUHS may have their special pay contract signed by the SES, Medical Director (Dr. Rice), or by their Senior Rater (General Officer-any Service). 4. Members attending PME in residence should have their commander s endorsement. 5. Members assigned to civilian AFIT positions should have their contracts forwarded for endorsement to: HQ AFPC/DPAMN ATTN: Nursing Education 550 C Street West, Suite 27 Randolph AFB TX Directors of Medical Education (DME) are designated as the approval authority for those undergoing training in a fellowship/secondary residency. 7. This guidance should cover most eligible members. As a general rule, whoever would be the OPR for recommending termination or withhold of special pays should be the approving authority. 8. NOTE: Under no circumstance will a subordinate endorse contracts. F. SPECIAL PAYS PROGRAM MANAGEMENT: Questions on eligibility, contact your local Chief Nurse or review the FAQ document on the Medical Special Pays website. HQ AFPC/DPAMF1 is the program manager for special pays. HQ AFPC/DPAMF1 will accomplish contracts and disseminate this pay plan with the special pay contracts. The pay plan and special pay contracts are available on the special pays website and can be found at Contact HQ AFPC/DPAMF1 at DSN or commercial 210/ ; FAX-1277 or at: afpcdpamf1.fax@randolph.af.mil. FY10 NC Pay Plan 1 Oct 09 v4 Page 19 of 26

20 TAB A Figure 1-1. Notification of Recommendation for Withholding or Terminating Special Pay SAMPLE MEMORANDUM FOR (officer) (date) FROM: SUBJECT: Notification of Recommendation for Withholding or Terminating Special Pay 1. I am recommending (withholding) (terminating) your (contracted special pay) because of (state reasons for withholding or terminating special pay). 2. You may submit a written rebuttal to accompany the recommendation for withholding or terminating special pay, if you desire. You are allowed 10 calendar days from the date you acknowledge receipt of this letter to submit a written rebuttal. 3. Acknowledge receipt of the letter and date the acknowledgement whether or not you will submit a written rebuttal. (signature) (name, rank, title) Atch(s) (document(s) substantiating withholding or terminating action) FY10 NC Pay Plan 1 Oct 09 v4 Page 20 of 26

21 Figure 1-2. Acknowledgement of Notification of Recommendation for Withholding or Terminating Special Pay SAMPLE TAB A MEMORANDUM FOR: (member s commander) (date) FROM: (officer) SUBJECT: Acknowledgement of Notification of Recommendation for Withholding or Terminating Special Pay I acknowledge receipt of notification of recommendation for (withholding) (terminating) my (contracted special pay). I (will) (will not) submit a written rebuttal. (signature) (name, rank, title) FY10 NC Pay Plan 1 Oct 09 v4 Page 21 of 26

22 ATTACHMENT 1 FY10 AF SURGEON GENERAL-APPROVED SPECIALTY NURSE COURSES 1. Critical Care/Emergency Nursing Fellowship This one year course transforms clinical nurses into critical care or emergency nurse clinicians. Blend of intense didactic instruction and hands-on clinical experience with preceptors and dedicated faculty. The course uses five specialty Intensive Care Units (ICUs) and the Emergency Department (ED) at WHMC as well as Brooke Army Medical Center assets. Course Length: One Year 2. Critical Care Air Transport Team (CCATT) Course The CCATT course is designed to prepare nurses assigned to Critical Care Air Transport Team Unit Type Codes to meet wartime mission of caring for critically ill and injured patients in the aeromedical evacuation environment. Course Length: 10 Days Course ID Number: B3OZYCCATT Epidemiology, Prevention, and Infection Control (EPIC) This course provides education and training for AF Medical Service Officers in AFSC 4XXX or civilian equivalent, in the knowledge and skills necessary to develop a safe and effective Infection Control Program (ICP). Instruction is geared to developing investigative methodologies specific to infection control (such as epidemiology, surveillance, and consultation) and skills needed to develop, manage and evaluate all elements of an ICP. Course content is correlated with appropriate Joint Commission standards, OSHA laws, CDC guidelines and recommendations, Air Force policies, and any other related directives. Students will be required to demonstrate an understanding of infection control practices/principles upon graduation. Course Length: 24 days Course ID Number: J3OZR4XXX 00DA 4. Essentials of Critical Care Orientation (ECCO) Essentials of Critical Care Orientation is a comprehensive introduction to critical care nursing. It focuses on the fundamentals, providing the theoretical foundation necessary to care for critically ill patients. ECCO includes 10 learning modules, organized using a body systems approach. Modules are comprised of multiple lessons that provide in-depth, interactive content with rich graphics and illustrations that keep learners engaged. Each module addresses the anatomy and physiology of the body system, relevant diagnostic information, and the clinical presentation and management of common disorders for each of the body systems. Participants can receive up to a total of 69 CNE contact hours upon program completion 5. Emergency Nursing Orientation (ENO) The Emergency Nursing Orientation course consists of 43 online modules that incorporate the latest evidence-based practices. A wide array of topics is covered from the legal foundations of emergency care to assessment and end-of-life issues. The course provides detailed information on a full range of trauma emergencies, including head, spinal, thoracic, burns, respiratory, and FY10 NC Pay Plan 1 Oct 09 v4 Page 22 of 26