Health Officer

Job Description

Description: Under policy direction from the Kitsap Public Health Board (“Board”) and reporting to the Administrator, the Health Officer is responsible for and empowered to enforce the provisions of RCW 70.05.070 and other applicable state laws, rules, and local ordinances. The incumbent is also responsible for community health assessment, public health policy, and the advancement of public health through partnerships and community leadership throughout Kitsap County. The incumbent is expected to apply a thorough and complete knowledge of procedures related to the field of medicine, and local public health programs, laws and regulations, to varied and complex work situations. Duties require innovative leadership and active collaboration with a wide range of strategic partners and stakeholders to address public health issues in a rapidly changing community environment.

Hours: Up to 32 hours per week (0.6 – 0.8 FTE), requires occasional evening and weekend hours.

Salary: DOEQ

Benefits: The District offers a comprehensive health benefit plan which includes medical, dental, vision, and life coverages, including several voluntary plan selections through The Standard, MetLife, and Aflac. The District provides medical and dental coverage contributing percentages of the average medical and dental insurance premium cost for full-time employees as follows: Employee @ 100%, Employee & Spouse @ 90%, Employee & Child(ren) @ 90%, and Full Family @ 85%. Benefits include generous paid time off and twelve paid holidays per year. Employees participate in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), a defined benefit retirement plan managed by the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and Social Security. Several deferred compensation retirement savings plans are also offered.

Other: Please note that this opportunity is currently open until filled. Initial review of applications will take place on January 12.

Essential Functions:

• Coordinates with the Administrator to ensure the District is in compliance with applicable state laws and codes, and implementing Board ordinances, resolutions, and policy direction.
• Participates as a member of the Executive Leadership Team in developing, recommending, and implementing the District’s long-term and short-range goals and objectives.
• Regularly reports to the Kitsap Public Health Board through presentations, emails and other forms of communication.
• Participates in assessing the health status of the community. Provides oversight on comprehensive studies of potentially systemic threats to public health; researches, analyzes, compiles, prepares, and presents conclusions, reports, and recommended actions.  Coordinates with the Board and Executive Leadership Team to develop and implement public health policy, develop regulations, and provide information and recommendations regarding public health issues and activities.
• Takes actions as necessary to educate the community on public health issues to control and prevent the spread of dangerous, contagious, or infectious diseases, and coordinates these actions with the state board of health and state health officer as applicable.
• Identifies emerging and important public health issues and confers with and makes recommendations to District Leadership and to the Board.
• Coordinates with the Board and Administrator to balance fiscal impact, objectives and community input when developing public health strategies, making recommendations and providing advice.
• Participates with the Executive Leadership Team in the development and implementation of the District budget.
• Provides consultation and direction of communicable disease protocols. Evaluates the causes of communicable diseases; determines appropriate evaluation and intervention strategies.
• Provides a leadership role in preparedness and response to biological and chemical terrorism and weapons of mass destruction.
• Coordinates public health responses with other public health jurisdictions as appropriate, including but not limited to providing short-term Deputy Health Officer coverage in the event of the absence of the Health Officer in another jurisdiction in Washington State, upon the agreement of both jurisdictions.
• Develops and issues public health advisories to medical providers, hospitals, community agencies, and the public.
• Responds to media inquiries regarding Kitsap county public health issues, disease outbreaks, and other health-related concerns in coordination with the Communications Program Manager.
• Consults with physicians in the diagnosis, investigation, and treatment of communicable disease.
• Conducts or supervises medical and physical examinations, makes diagnoses, and administers treatments as needed. Provides medical oversight of clinical programs. Reviews, revises, or writes standing orders and protocols for clinical services.
• Makes recommendations on personnel actions such as staff size and composition.
• Reviews, responds to, and advocates for legislation as it impacts public health and District programs.
• Performs advocacy activities by communicating with federal, state, and local officeholders directly on official District business and advocating only the District’s official position or interest of the District, as assigned or approved by the Board.
• Consults and collaborates with the medical community, hospital medical staff, other health care professionals, policy and advisory boards, and the public to increase access to essential services and reduce health disparities.
• Participates in administrative appeals regarding environmental health permit denials.
• Serves on various District and other community-wide committees and regional and state public health-related committees. Provides high-level public health expertise and perspective regarding a wide range of issues.
• Provides public information in a courteous manner and emphasizes public accountability and a positive service approach with employees. Makes oral presentations and functions as a District representative at meetings, hearings, and conferences.

For full list of essential functions, and information about working conditions and physical demands, please refer to the job posting.

Education & Experience:

• Doctor of Medicine or Osteopathy degree and previous related experience in both the medical field and public health field (see license requirement below); and
• Master’s degree in public health or its equivalent, as described in RCW 70.05.051.
• Must be qualified or provisionally qualified in accordance with the standards prescribed in RCW 70.05.051 through 70.05.055.

Licenses, Certificates, & Other Requirements:

• A valid license to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery in Washington State is required.
• Registration with the Drug Enforcement Agency for prescription of controlled substances.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of public health and the social determinants of health, including current trends in policy, research, treatment, prevention, education and related issues.
• Current principles and practices of public health administration, incorporating knowledge of community health, chronic disease, sanitation, environmental hazards, communicable disease control, epidemiology and emergency preparedness.
• Communicable disease management and mitigation.
• Community needs, resources and organizations related to public health.
• Current principles and practices of general and preventive medicine.
• Major types of services performed and responsibilities in public health and environmental public health activities.
• Principles of disaster and emergency preparedness and response, including biological  and chemical terrorism and weapons of mass destruction.
• Applicable laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, and policies.
• Safety precautions, practices, and procedures applicable to public health.

Ability to:

• Perform the duties as required under RCW 70.05.070.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, in clear, concise language appropriate for the purpose and parties addressed, including oral presentations before groups on a variety of complex and sensitive public health issues.
• Use tact, discretion, and courtesy to gain the cooperation of others and establish and maintain positive, effective working relationships and rapport with physicians, attorneys, media representatives, coworkers, volunteers, representatives of other agencies and businesses, officials and diverse members of the public.
• Fulfill the commitment of the District to provide outstanding and effective customer service.
• Maintain high standards of personal and professional integrity and commitment to quality patient care at the highest level consistent with standards and regulations.
• Assure that absolute confidentiality is maintained as required and sensitive information is handled appropriately.
• Make timely decisions considering relevant factors and evaluating alternatives, exercising discretion and sound independent judgment.
• Organize, prioritize and coordinate work assignments; work effectively in a multi-task environment; take appropriate initiative; apply good judgment and logical thinking to obtain potential solutions to problems; resolve complex public health problems and make major decisions involving the implementation or interpretation of policies and regulations within the scope of knowledge and authority or refer to the appropriate person.
• Initiate, prepare and direct preparation of comprehensive charts, records, reports, materials, correspondence and other documents relevant to area of assignment.
• Proficiently operate computers, related software and other office equipment with sufficient speed and accuracy to accomplish assignments in a timely manner.
• Work effectively in a dynamic environment that is constantly changing, resulting in continually re-evaluating and shifting priorities.
• Work both independently and within a collaborative team-oriented environment; contribute openly, respectfully disagree, understand the ideas of others, listen well and work for consensus.

For additional information and to complete the required electronic application, please visit the Careers page of our website at kitsappublichealth.org or visit GovernmentJobs.com.