CORRECTIONS MEDICAL DIRECTOR

Job Specifications

Class Code:

PE7

Analyst:

CJS

Date Originated:

11/07 

Dates Revised:

 

COUNTY OF SANTA CRUZ

DEFINITION

Under direction, provide medical supervision and direction to adult correctional facility clinics, correctional facility public health programs and staffs; provide primary medical care in various adult correctional facility clinics; provide telephone on-call services; and perform other work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This class is a physician class with correctional facility or clinic medicine experience. Incumbents serve as the director for County correctional facility medical clinics. Incumbents are responsible for the medical quality assurance and medical management of one or more correctional facility clinics and provide medical and technical advice to correctional facility medical staff.

TYPICAL TASKS

Serves as Medical Director of correctional facility medical clinics engaged in prevention, education, diagnosing and treating a wide variety of complex acute and chronic medical conditions; provides medical supervision and direction to staff and contract physicians; develops protocols and standardized procedures; conducts medical and physical examinations; makes diagnoses and prescribes medical and rehabilitative treatments; supervises and directs the medical aspects of treatments; provides night, weekend, and holiday medical triage and treatment authorizations via the telephone; prescribes medications; provides medical supervision to mid-level practitioners; acts as physician member of a multi-disciplinary patient care team; confers with staff and patients regarding diagnoses and treatments; recommends hospitalization or other indicated services; makes referrals to specialists as appropriate; plans and prepares standardized procedures and protocols; conducts in-service training; assures that medical care meets quality assurance standards; may supervise resident physicians, physician’s assistants and nurse practitioner students; assures that quality medical services are provided for patients in County correctional facilities; confers with mental health staff regarding patents under their care; reads X-rays, orders laboratory tests and evaluates results; assures that patients medical charts and records are accurate and meet legal and medical requirements; may provide medical consultation to private physicians, health care professionals and community groups on public health matters; prepares records and reports; inputs, accesses and analyzes data using a computer; attends/facilitates meetings.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge of:

Thorough knowledge of:

  • Current principles and practices of medicine.
  • Accepted medical practices in the prevention and control of communicable diseases.
  • Accepted medical practices related to pain management and substance abuse detoxification.
  • Accepted medical practices related to women’s health issues.

Working knowledge of:

  • Principles of supervision and training.

Some knowledge of:

  • Functions and services of local public health agencies.
  • Laws and regulations governing local public health agencies.
  • General functions of the State Department of Health Services.
  • Principles of public health administration.
  • Mental health issues in locked facilities.

 

Ability to:

  • Provide medical direction to and supervise subordinate staff.
  • Perform medical diagnosis and treatment.
  • Evaluate and review the work of medical practitioners for appropriate diagnosis, treatment and chart documentation.
  • Plan and prepare protocols and standardized procedures.
  • Coordinate and evaluate the work of contract and staff physicians.
  • Work effectively with departmental staff, private physicians, patients and others contacted in the course of work.
  • Participate in the analysis, evaluation and planning of correctional facility health programs.
  • Prepare clear and concise written and oral reports.
  • Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
  • Conduct in-service training programs.
  • Secure State certification to supervise and direct mid-level practitioners.
  • Learn to input, access and analyze data using a computer terminal.
  • Learn to use automated formulary, order entry and Electronic Medical Record (EMR) software.

 

Education and Experience:

Any combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying, unless otherwise specified. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

  • Four years of general medical clinic experience as a practicing physician. Certification by an American Specialty Board in a specialty closely related to clinical or detention health care services provided by the County of Santa Cruz may be substituted for two years of the required experience. Experience working in a county jail or state prison medical services unit is highly desirable.

 

  • License/Certificate Requirements:
    • Possession and maintenance of a valid Physician’s and Surgeon's Certificate issued by the State of California. If licensed in another state, candidates may participate in the recruitment and examination process, however possession of a valid Physician’s and Surgeon’s Certificate issued by the State of California is required at the time of appointment.
    • Possession and maintenance of a State and/or Federal narcotic license for administration of narcotics to inmates and patients;
    • Possession and maintenance of a valid California class C driver license. If licensed in another state, candidates may participate in the recruitment process, however possession of a California class C driver license is required at the time of appointment.


 

Special Requirements/Conditions:

  • Background Investigation: Ability to pass a background investigation, and fingerprinting is required.
  • Special Working Conditions: Exposure to: Odors such as vomitus, feces, urine and draining abscesses; fumes from cleaning supplies and solvents; and infections which might cause chronic disease or death.

 

PREVIOUS CLASS TITLES: Medical Director – Health Services Clinics
Bargaining Unit: 11
EEOC Job Category: 02
Occupational Grouping: 61
Workers' Comp Code: 0290