Deputy Medical Director

Certified Physician Assistant (PA-C) or Nurse Practitioner functioning in an expanded role as Deputy to the Medical Director, providing public health clinical services to clients in the agency health care clinic. The position is responsible for existing clinical services (e.g., diagnosis and treatment of reportable communicable diseases such as sexually transmitted infections, and provision of contraception and family planning services). The role is anticipated to transition towards an increasing focus on vaccine administration encounters requiring individualized or shared clinical decision-making, travel medicine encounters, and the treatment and management of other diseases of public health significance, including tuberculosis. The Deputy will also represent the Medical Director at on-site and other local meetings, particularly of a clinical nature, as their appointed deputy during their physical absence.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Obtain and evaluate health, medical and social history; assess client contraception, sexually transmitted infections (STI), vaccination, travel medicine, and other public health needs; initiate plan of care 
• Perform screening tests and physical assessments to rule out abnormalities and make appropriate referrals accordingly 
• Provide appropriate medical/clinical interventions; make skilled observations of client responses to treatment 
• Collect and evaluate laboratory specimens microscopically for detection and treatment of infections; obtain cultures for detection of sexually transmitted infections 
• Initiate follow-up for abnormal screening test and culture results 
• Evaluate effectiveness of care and revise plan as necessary 
• Collaborate on complex medical cases—including travel medicine and disease management encounters 
• Educate the client, family and community regarding care, self-care techniques, prevention strategies (including vaccine counseling with shared clinical decision-making), involving the client in decision making/goal setting 
• Initiate the appropriate preventative and rehabilitative procedures 
• Prepare progress reports and other patient records 
• Make referrals; coordinate the services of others including therapists, social workers and community resources and follow up accordingly 
• Exercise independent judgment within the scope of practice of a Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner
• Write prescriptions within pharmacy law specifications with and within parameters established in the agency’s medication dispensing policies 
• Provide travel medicine consultations, including risk assessment, vaccinations, prophylaxis, and counseling (in direct clinical consultation with the Medical Director)
• Participate in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of diseases of public health significance, including tuberculosis (in direct clinical consultation with the Medical Director) 
• Represent the Medical Director at on-site and other local meetings, particularly those of a clinical nature, as the appointed deputy or representative during their physical absence
• Attend required meetings, seminars, in-service training, workshops, etc.; read journals, books and other industry publications to remain current on the latest techniques and most current research findings 
• Perform program specific job responsibilities as outlined by Division Policy and Procedure Manuals 
• Comply with MIOSHA, OSHA, HIPAA and other regulations that pertain to the agency 
• Perform emergency response roles as required 
• Mandatory participation in orientation and training for basic public health emergency preparedness and response concepts 
• Other duties as assigned

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

• All work performed by the Deputy Medical Director regarding developing and carrying out medical policies, procedures, standing orders, and for all external communications regarding medical specialty topics or other matters within the scope of the Medical Director’s medical role shall be performed on behalf of and under the authority of the St Clair County Medical Director as he or she may direct.  The Administrative Health Officer shall supervise the Deputy Medical Director regarding all matters relating to the internal administrative operations of the Department.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• May be expected to assign, plan and coordinate personnel, able to evaluate job performance, able to provide instruction and training and to respond to problems.

EXPERIENCE, SKILLS, EDUCATION:  

• Current licensure and registration as a Physician Assistant in the State of Michigan required 
• Certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) required 
• One (1) to two (2) years of relevant experience in public health, primary care, infectious disease management, travel medicine, or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities preferred
• OR
• Master Degree of Nursing from an accredited nurse practitioner program required
• Current registration as a Registered Nurse/Nurse Practitioner in the State of Michigan required
• One (1) to two (2) years of relevant experience or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities preferred
• Ability to operate a variety of medical equipment and tools necessary to perform activities including stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, various monitors, glucometers, sphygmomanometers, otoscopes, centrifuges, scissors, wound care materials, hypodermic needles, and other specialized equipment
• Ability to persuade, convince, influence and train others; ability to advise and interpret on the application of policies, procedures, and standards to specific situations; ability to explain, demonstrate and clarify to others within well-established policies, procedures and standards
• Ability to communicate effectively and efficiently with management, co-workers and clients; obtain and communicate accurate information; apply common sense understanding to complex instructions and respond accordingly; communicate complex ideas through graphs, charts, presentations, reports or other professional correspondence    
• Writing, reading, mathematical principles; proficient computer skills-Microsoft Office Suite, Outlook; exercise sound judgment and decision making in accordance with policies and procedures; ability to research and problem solve independently; knowledge of County operations and functions; ability to prioritize and time manage; handle stressful situations, provide effective and friendly customer service; support the County's mission and values; ability to think critically where necessary
• Knowledge or understanding of basic administrative tasks: operate standard office equipment; document management; prepare and maintain records, various correspondences and reports; answer general inquiries and refer as necessary; answer telephone calls, process mail, order supplies/equipment; prepare meeting agendas, attend meetings, record/transcribe/distribute minutes; entering, transcribing, recording, storing or maintaining information in written or electronic form with speed and accuracy; maintain calendars, arrange meetings, schedule rooms and equipment as necessary

ESSENTIAL ABILITIES FOR ALL ST. CLAIR COUNTY JOB CLASSIFICATIONS:

• Ability to demonstrate predictable, reliable, and timely attendance              
• Ability to read, write & communicate in English; follow written and verbal instruction and understand basic mathematics and figure checking         
• Ability to interpret and apply procedures, rules, technical information, instructions, manuals to complete tasks accurately and on schedule                               
• Ability to learn from directions, observations, and mistakes; and apply procedures using good judgment.
• Ability to use discretion and maintain sensitive and confidential information  
• Ability to work independently or part of a team; ability to interact appropriately with others such as County officials, employees, vendors and the general public
• Ability to work under supervision, receiving instructions/feedback, coaching/counseling and/or action/discipline                                                   
• Adaptability to change in the work environment, managing competing demands and ability to deal with frequent changes, delays or unexpected events
• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services including customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction
• Proficient skills using Microsoft Office programs including, but not limited to: Word, Excel, Access, and Outlook required. Proficiency may be tested

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Prior to starting employment, the candidate must complete a satisfactory background check.  The background check encompasses all forms of pre-employment screening, including but not limited to: drug screen, physical, criminal background, driving record, sex offender registry, education, training and licensing verification, employment history, credit check, and professional and personal references
• Must possess a valid State of Michigan operator license and maintain this license throughout employment in this position
• Must have reliable transportation and valid automobile insurance
• Required to report to duty when called upon in the event of a Public Health situation and/or emergency regardless of declaration

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job with or without accommodations.  Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:

• Speak to others to convey information effectively
• Read, interpret and understand procedures, rules, technical information, instructions and manuals
• Hear and understand information presented through spoken words and sentences
• Specific vision requirement includes close vision, distance vision, color and depth perception
• Use hands to operate a computer, handle materials and operate equipment
• Push or pull carts, reach with hands and arms forward, above and below shoulder level
• Lift, move or carry objects, equipment and supplies weighing up to 25 pounds
• Sit, bend, stoop, crouch, crawl and kneel in an ergonomically correct manner
• Stand and walk, climb stairs
• Generally, works in a normal office environment
• The noise level in the work environment is moderate with many interruptions.
• The employee frequently works in areas where universal precautions and confrontation avoidance techniques are required, and is occasionally exposed to risk from bodily fluids or client actions
• Due to the nature of the work hours may include overtime, evenings or weekends
• Position may require occasional travel for training, various County departments and community events
• Ability to transfer and restrain patients as needed.

Disclaimer: The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position.  They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job requirements or duties performed.  The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: It is the policy of St. Clair County not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, disability that does not prevent performing essential job functions or because he or she is a protected veteran.