Northwest Aviation Medicine

Northwest Aviation Medicine offers an intensive 12-week (40 hours/week) immersion program designed for transitioning service members seeking a career at the intersection of healthcare operations, federal regulation, and business strategy.The MissionThe intern will function as a Junior Practice Manager, bridging the gap between high-stakes clinical certification and medical business development. This role is split between ensuring the regulatory medical readiness of the pilot population and optimizing the operational performance of the private practice.Core Training ObjectivesAeromedical Regulatory Compliance: Master FAA "Fit-to-Fly" standards, execute MedXPress application pre-reviews, and manage administrative dossiers for complex HIMS (Substance/Psychiatric) and Special Issuance cases.Clinical Support Operations: Perform pilot intake and record vital signs (Blood Pressure, Pulse, Vision/Audio screenings) under the supervision of an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME).Healthcare Business Management: Execute full-cycle practice operations including POS billing, medical inventory supply chain, and electronic health record (EHR) management.Business Growth & Development: Lead strategic marketing outreach, manage social media presence, and draft medical service proposals for local flight schools and aviation organizations.Program OutcomeThe program concludes with a Capstone Optimization Project, where the service member identifies a workflow bottleneck and implements a solution to improve clinic efficiency. Graduates leave with a comprehensive understanding of healthcare financial systems, federal medical regulations, and practice leadership.

The RoleThis is not a traditional "shadowing" internship. You will be an active contributor to the clinic’s daily mission. You will spend 50% of your time on Clinical/Regulatory Support (ensuring pilots are fit to fly) and 50% on Business Growth and Operations (ensuring the clinic is fit to grow).Key Responsibilities1. Clinical & Regulatory OperationsPilot Intake: Facilitate the FAA medical certification workflow, including patient check-in and MedXPress application pre-reviews.Clinical Screening: Perform and record vital signs (Blood Pressure, Pulse, SpO2) and conduct vision/hearing screenings under AME supervision.Compliance Management: Manage the administrative tracking for high-complexity HIMS (psychiatric/substance) and Special Issuance cases, ensuring all dossiers are audit-ready for the FAA.2. Business & Practice ManagementFinancial Operations: Execute the daily billing cycle, manage point-of-sale (POS) transactions, and reconcile invoices.Inventory Control: Implement and oversee a systematic supply chain tracking process for medical and office equipment.Strategic Growth: Assist in business development by drafting service proposals for flight schools and managing the clinic’s digital marketing and social media presence.3. Operational Optimization (Capstone)Process Improvement: Identify one bottleneck in the clinic’s workflow and design/implement a data-driven solution to improve efficiency or the pilot experience.Schedule & CommitmentDuration: 12 Weeks (3 Months).Status: Full-Time (40 Hours/Week).Daily Schedule: Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM (On-site), plus 5 hours weekly of independent aeromedical research.Location: Northwest Aviation Medicine.QualificationsBackground: Transitioning military (Medical, Aviation, or Admin), healthcare administration students, or professionals seeking a career pivot into healthcare management.Skills: High attention to detail, proficiency in Microsoft Office/EHR systems, and excellent professional communication skills.Ethics: Must demonstrate an unwavering commitment to HIPAA privacy standards and federal regulatory compliance.

Northwest Aviation Medicine is located directly on the field at the Tacoma Narrows Airport. Our facility in Hangar B-11 provides an immersive aeromedical environment where the business of medicine meets the world of flight.Address: 1080 26th Ave NW, Hangar B-11, Gig Harbor, WA 98335Coordinates: 47.2694^\circ\text{N}, 122.5768^\circ\text{W}$Site Context: Being located on the airport field allows our interns to witness the direct impact of their work on the aviation community, providing a unique perspective on pilot certification and airport commerce.

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