Occupational Health Physician Assistant

Join a team supporting the future of aerospace innovation at NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center.

Herndon Solutions Group (HSG) is seeking a mission-driven Occupational Health Physician Assistant to support Occupational Health Services operations at NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center (AFRC). This unique opportunity combines occupational medicine, workforce wellness, emergency response support, and operational healthcare in one of the most technically advanced aerospace environments in the country.

The Physician Assistant will support personnel engaged in advanced aerospace research, laboratory operations, flight activities, and mission-critical programs while helping ensure workforce health, safety, and operational readiness in support of NASA's mission.

This position is contingent upon contract award. The anticipated contract start date is October 1, 2026.


General Description

The Physician Assistant works collaboratively with the Clinic Medical Director, nursing staff, environmental health personnel, and NASA leadership to ensure delivery of high-quality occupational healthcare services in compliance with NASA procedural requirements, OSHA regulations, FAA standards, and occupational medicine best practices.

This role requires strong clinical judgment, adaptability, professionalism, and the ability to function effectively in a fast-paced federal operational setting.

This position provides occupational medicine services, medical surveillance support, emergency response care, wellness initiatives, and regulatory medical evaluations for NASA personnel, contractors, and mission support teams.

How You Will Fulfill Your Mission

Occupational Health & Clinical Services

• Conduct occupational medicine evaluations and medical surveillance examinations in accordance with NASA procedural requirements and applicable regulatory standards.
• Perform and support:
  • Occupational medical examinations
  • Medical surveillance evaluations
  • DOT/FMCSA medical examinations
  • Respirator clearance evaluations
  • Fitness-for-duty evaluations
  • Travel medical clearances
  • Wellness and preventive health screenings
• Assess and manage occupational injuries and illnesses within clinic capabilities.
• Evaluate and treat urgent or emergent medical conditions until higher levels of care are available.
• Review diagnostic testing results including audiograms, spirometry, EKGs, and laboratory testing.
• Document all patient encounters accurately within NASA electronic health record systems.

Emergency Response & Preparedness

• Respond to onsite medical emergencies in accordance with NASA emergency response procedures.
• Participate in emergency preparedness drills, mock codes, mass casualty exercises, and disaster response activities.
• Assist with Basic Life Support (BLS) and initial Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) interventions during emergency response activities.
• Support pandemic preparedness and continuity response activities as needed.

Occupational Medicine Program Support

• Support implementation of NASA Occupational Health Program requirements and clinic protocols.
• Assist with medical quality assurance and peer review activities.
• Participate in occupational health audits, inspections, and compliance initiatives.
• Support development and implementation of standing orders and clinical procedures under the direction of the Medical Director.

Health Promotion & Wellness

• Support employee wellness campaigns, preventive health initiatives, and educational programs.
• Participate in health screenings, vaccination campaigns, and health promotion activities.
• Assist with medical clearance activities related to the onsite Fitness Center program.

Collaboration & Operational Support

• Work collaboratively with physicians, nurses, environmental health professionals, and NASA stakeholders.
• Provide medical consultation and support regarding occupational health concerns.
• Maintain professionalism and confidentiality in all interactions and documentation.
• Attend required meetings, training sessions, and operational briefings.

The duties and responsibilities described in this position description in no way state or imply that these are the only duties performed. This position may require that additional duties and responsibilities be performed.

Why We Value You

• You are able to work independently and show a high level of initiative and attention to detail.
• You have a consistent character and do not yield to pressure to compromise or cut corners.
• You have a strong ability to communicate effectively with superiors, colleagues, and customers by clearly expressing your intent and understanding the focus and purpose of the conversation while allowing each person to get their point across.
• You are open to new ideas and innovations and can create modifications or changes in yourself to adapt or suit a new environment/situation.
• You have faith in your own ideas and ability to be successful.
• You hold yourself to the highest standard and work to inspire your team to produce quality work.

Specific Knowledge/Certification Requirements

Certification Requirement Notice:
Candidates who do not currently possess all required certifications at the time of application must be able to successfully obtain and maintain all required certifications no later than October 1, 2026, in accordance with contract requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Graduate of an Physician Assistant program.
• Active, unrestricted PA license in California
• National board certification as a Physician Assistant.
• Current BLS certification required.
• ACLS certification required or ability to obtain within designated timeframe.
• Minimum of 3+ years of clinical experience in occupational medicine, emergency medicine, urgent care, family practice, aerospace medicine, military medicine, or related clinical environment.
• Certified and Registered as an FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) Medical Examiner
• Successful completion of the NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) Approved Spirometry Training Course
• Must possess current CAOHC (Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation) certification.
• Experience performing occupational health evaluations and medical documentation.
• Strong clinical assessment and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating within a multidisciplinary team.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior occupational medicine or aerospace medicine experience.
• Prior NASA, DoD, military, or federal healthcare support experience.
• Experience supporting emergency response or industrial occupational health environments.
• Familiarity with OSHA, DOT/FMCSA, and occupational health regulations.
• Experience using electronic health record systems.

Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Working Conditions

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions

• Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to walk, sit, or stand for extended periods of time; reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; talk or hear; have sufficient manual dexterity to operate a keyboard, calculator, telephone, and other such office equipment as necessary; may occasionally move and/or lift up to 50 pounds or more with assistance. Specific visual abilities required by the job include close vision, distant vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust and focus.
• Work Environment: Work will mainly be performed in an office setting and occasionally with irregular hours.
• Travel: A low to moderate amount of travel away from office may be required.