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Current Forest Service Direction: (Scroll down for BLM)
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Go to e-medical in your USDA e-authentication employee dashboard, initiate a new HSQ packet for any Light, Moderate, or Arduous work capacity tests for the 2025 season.
Connect HR Dashboard. https://usdafs.connecthr.com/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2f
If you select any box in part A, or more than one Box in part B of the HSQ Questionnaire you will be directed to take a physical exam through Acuity. Physical exams are available for those who require one.
If you completed an Acuity Physical Exam in 2024-25, Please contact Hayley to have her initiate a "self-certification year 1" packet for you.
The self-certification process requires a short questionnaire and a blood pressure check by a local EMT or other qualified individual. The results are reviewed by HSQC’s and based on the answers, may be routed to the RMO or cleared to the WCT. See the blood pressure form below.
You need to show proof of clearance at your pack test. Have your approval email either digitally or hard copy for the test administrator.
-AD's and SO Employees: Your Fire Supervisor is Jeremy DeLack.
-District Militia Supervisor is the District FMO.
-E-medical coordinator is Hayley Perry.
BP-Document-Self-Cert_pdf.pdfExam/Acuity years 2 and 3 is a self-certification process which requires a short questionnaire and a blood pressure check. The results are reviewed by HSQC’s and based on the answers, may be routed to the RMO or cleared to the WCT.
A blood pressure reading must be taken by one of the following levels of medically trained personnel:
(EMTs/AEMTs/Paramedics, CMAs, LPNs, RNs, PAs, NPs, DOs, MDs) who has been trained to take blood pressures.
Agency EMTs may ‘volunteer’ to provide blood pressure readings for other employees if they feel comfortable doing so and if the Agency employee is a certified EMT/paramedic covered under the USFS National EMS Program medical direction.
*For self-certification you must submit the Blood Pressure Documentation form (to the left) to the HSQ coordinator.
*For self-certification you must submit the Blood Pressure Documentation form (to the left) to the HSQ coordinator.
USFS Medical Coordinators
Lead Hayley Perry- hayley.perry@usda.gov
Secondary Adam Forga- adam.forga@usda.gov
BLM Medical Coordinator
Lani Kelly- lkelly@blm.gov
BLM Employees:
All questions related to medical clearance for BLM, please contact Lani Kelly.
More info for DOI/BLM:
·Arduous Medical Process (Acuity) VS. Self-Certification (HSQ)
What is the difference between the Acuity and the HSQ?
• The Arduous Medical Process is for those taking the arduous WCT.
• The HSQ is for those employees taking the moderate and light WCTs. The HSQ is an online questionnaire that is reviewed byt the doctors at Acuity.
For DOI, if you do not clear your arduous exam or self-certification, you can enter into the risk mitigation process which allows for assessment of your condition with an agreement of factors to allow you to continue you to function in an arduous capacity. i.e. if you are allergic to bees the risk assessment might require you to carry two epi-pens at all times, failure to meet requirements of the risk mitigation can result in termination or removal from arduous duty, or loss of medical coverage for treatment that is related to the conditions in the risk mitigation.
The HSQ is online for DOI and reviewed by a medical doctor and is done annually. If you do not clear a light/moderate exam for the DOI, there is no risk mitigation process. You have an opportunity to provide more documentation from your physician regarding the issues that resulted in a non-clearance for Acuity to review and evaluate your clearance status.
A self-certification is completed online for arduous duty employees in the years between getting a physical exam in a doctors office. Self-certifications are valid for one year.
Physical exams for arduous are due every 36 months.
DOI employees must work with their local FMO/Unit coordinator to insure currency, get exams ordered, work on risk mitigations when needed and to provide them with certificates of clearance based on their timeline prior to taking a work capacity test or completing a field day for S130/190 training.
You must be medically qualified annually in order to be current for light, moderate or arduous duty. Employees are responsible for insuring they are medically current, failure to do so can result in loss of workers comp coverage or benefits if there is an accident or medically related issue in the line of duty.
Chapter 13 of the Interagency Standards for Fire and Fire Aviation (Redbook) covers medical standards policy for all agencies and Law Enforcement.
DOI employees are permitted and encouraged to attend physicals during regularly scheduled work hours, this must be coordinated with your supervisor but your time is not paid for by fire. No cost is associated for the employee for the physical exams and self-certifications. However for DOI employees, any follow-up exams that may be needed for the risk mitigation process or to clear for light/moderate are on the employee to cover.
The buttons below will take you to the site that it is titled with.
Examinee Portal Registration Guide_7 2022.pdfAcuity-Application Dashboard Registration Guide for Examinee Portal
Examinee Portal Self Certification User Guide_7 2022.pdfAcuity mLink Examinee Portal-Self Certification User Guide
Examinee Portal User Guide_7 2022.pdfAcuity mLink Examinee Portal User Guide
Examinee Portal Training Video_7 2022.mp4Examinee Portal Training Video
USFS:
All employees needing an exam in eMedical will have the option to use Acuity to assist with scheduling and payment of the exam, as well as entering the results into the system. Employees have the right to go to their own medical provider, but the following criteria must be met:
Medical providers must have one of the following credentials: MD, DO, NP/APN or PA (NO Chiropractors)
Employee is responsible for paying for the exam but is eligible for reimbursement using Request for Reimbursement form: FS-6500-229
Employee must ensure their provider agrees to complete the full exam and enter the exam results into the eMedical system. *We will no longer accept emailed or faxed exam results.*
For those employees choosing to use Acuity:
If an employee chooses to schedule an exam with Acuity, please have them choose the location they will be physical present in for the next few weeks, that is where Acuity will try and find medical providers.
If employees experience problems when they show up for their physical exam (i.e., extended wait times or they are told the paperwork has not arrived yet) --DO NOT LEAVE. Contact Acuity right away at 855-462-1634. If you can’t reach Acuity, contact the eMedical Help Desk.
Have employees keep the Peak Flow Meter included their exam kit and a copy of the exam results from their appointment until they are cleared for the WCT.
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