MEDICAL DIRECTOR - HEALTH SERVICES CLINICS

Job Specifications

Class Code:	PT5
Analyst:	KT/JS/DTW/CJS

Date Originated:	4/88
Dates Revised:	2/93, 4/96, 6/07

COUNTY OF SANTA CRUZ

DEFINITION

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

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This class is a physician class with clinic medicine experience. Incumbents serve as the director for various Health Services Agency medical clinics. Assignments may rotate depending on agency requirements and specialty training. Incumbents are responsible for the medical quality assurance and medical management of one or more clinics, provide medical and technical advice to staff and the local medical community and may serve as the Health Officer in the latter's absence.

TYPICAL TASKS

Serve as Medical Director of Health Services Agency medical clinics engaged in prevention, education, diagnosing and treating a wide variety of complex acute and chronic medical conditions; provide medical supervision and direction to staff and contract physicians; develop protocols and standardized procedures; conduct medical and physical examinations; make diagnosis and prescribes medical and rehabilitative treatment; supervise and direct the medical aspects of treatments; provide night, weekend, and holiday medical triage and treatment authorizations via the telephone; prescribe medications; provide medical supervision to mid-level practitioners; act as physician member of a multi- disciplinary patient care team; confer with staff and patients and their families regarding diagnosis and treatment; recommend hospitalization or other indicated services; make referrals to specialists as appropriate; may provide medical direction for detention facility clinics; may serve as the Health Officer in the latter's absence; plan and prepare standardized procedures and protocols; conduct in-service training; assure that medical care meets quality assurance standards; may supervise resident physicians, physicians assistants and nurse practitioner students; assure that quality primary outpatient medical care is provided for high-risk patients at the lowest cost; perform outpatient surgical procedures; read X-rays, order laboratory tests and evaluate results; assure 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; prepare records and reports; input, access and analyze data using a computer; attend/facilitate 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.

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.

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, clients and others contracted in the course of work.
• Participate in the analysis, evaluation and planning of public 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.

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:

• License/Certificate Requirements: Possession of a valid Physicians and Surgeon's Certificate issued by the State of California; possession of a State and/or Federal narcotic license for administration of narcotics to inmates and patients; possession of a valid California class C driver license;
  
  
• Four years of general medical clinic experience as a practicing physician. Certification by an American Specialty Board in a specialty closely related to clinical health care provided by the County of Santa Cruz may be substituted for two years of experience.

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: None
Bargaining Unit: 11
EEOC Job Category: 02
Occupational Grouping: 61
Workers' Comp Code: 0290