County Health Officer

Responsibilities

• Provides medical consultation to public and environmental health programs in compliance with California Health and Safety Codes and local ordinances.
• Maintains high visibility and expertise on community health issues and fosters community partnerships and collaboration.
• Enforces federal, state, and local public health laws.
• Serves as the Registrar for births and deaths.
• Serves as a First 5 Commissioner.
• Provides medical oversight to clinical and case investigation activities related to sexually transmitted diseases, tuberculosis, immunization, and jail medical services.
• Provides medical review and oversight to maternal and child health programs such as the California Children's Services Program's Medical Therapy Unit.
• Consults with the Director and other staff on population-based public health practices and activities.
• Consults with the Department's Epidemiologists on communicable disease surveillance and investigations and/or population health analytics.
• Responsible for the development of medically oriented policies, procedures, and protocols.
• May serve as the Operational Area Disaster Medical Health Coordinator and/or provide medical leadership during a public health threat or emergency.
• May provide medical oversight for the Local Emergency Medical Services System including medical requirements and licensure of participants in a medical reserve corp.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited medical school.
• Possession of a valid license to practice medicine in the State of California at the time of appointment.
• Possess a valid California driver's license at time of appointment and maintain.

Essential Functions

• Apply principles and techniques of modern medicine and public health.
• Possess strong written and oral communication skills.
• Analyze data, interpret policies, procedures, and regulations, and develop appropriate conclusions.
• Meet deadlines under stressful conditions; complete multiple priority projects with conflicting deadlines.
• Operate a personal computer and other office equipment.
• Resolve conflicts; respond appropriately to complaints; establish, implement, and achieve goals.
• Maintain confidential information in accordance with legal standards and/or County regulations.
• Train and provide medical oversight and consultation to staff.
• Frequent use of depth perception, peripheral vision, and color perception.
• Frequently lift, carry, reach, push, pull, twist, and manipulate large and small objects.
• Frequent use of hand-eye coordination; repetitive hand and arm motion; frequent holding and grasping.
• Occasionally lift and carry up to 40 pounds.
• Regular attendance is an essential function.

Knowledge

• The principles and practices of modern medicine including preventive and primary health care.
• Public health sciences, epidemiology, maternal and child health, environmental health, and public health medical science and its application.
• Principles and practices of public health programs; community health issues, needs, and problems.
• State Health and Safety Codes and relevant health laws, local health ordinances, and political issues that impact public health.
• Organization of County Health Department and general operating policies and functions of the State Department of Health Services.
• The sociological and cultural issues involved in public health programs.

Skills

• Accurately perform public health-related medical diagnosis and treatment.
• Plan, organize, develop, and manage multiple operations and functions.
• Develop, organize, analyze, and interpret statistical data.
• Assist, train, and provide medical consultation to staff in planning, organizing, and executing their work.
• Analyze issues and develop effective solutions.
• Use sound medical judgment in applying policies, laws, and ordinances.
• Coordinate assigned Public Health duties with community organizations and government agencies.
• Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with those contacted during the course of the work.
• Provide briefings and/or presentations on current public health issues for professional and lay audiences.