Job Summary:

The Public Health Medical Director is responsible for the entire scope of the public health program in the county.The Medical Director will work under the direction of the Commissioner of Health, Deputy Commissioner for Professional Services, Associate Commissioner for Community and Rural Health, and under the guidance of the County Commissioners Court.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Supervises all subordinate employees of the City-County Health Department.
• As Director, administers the work of the local health district.
• As Executive Officer, plans and coordinates activities.
• Plans and administers the budget.
• Exercises full authority in making employee appointments, dismissals, and any other human resource changes.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Establishes, maintains, and directs the basic activities in vital statistics, communicable-disease control, maternal and infant health, adult health, school health, sanitation inspection, laboratory services, nursing services, nutrition, public health education, and any other applicable services of the health district.
• Performs or supervises preventive measures for contagious diseases of public health concern.
• Serves as clinician in the control and prevention of sexually transmittable diseases, vaccine-preventable diseases, tuberculosis, and chronic respiratory diseases.
• Initiates clinics to provide treatment for and information on venereal disease, immunization, tuberculosis, well-child care, and maternal and infant care.
• Establishes and maintains understanding and cooperation with local organizations toward effective community health.
• Gives medical and administrative direction to special surveys regarding local health problems that shall include medical fact-finding and analysis.
• Plans and conducts in-service training programs for staff.
• Serves as an attending physician at all types of public-health clinical activities in the prevention and control of chronic disease, and activities concerning maternal health, children's health problems, nutrition, and family planning
• Applies principles of primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention in the chronic diseases of public health significance using activities and resources that include screening, referral, patient evaluation, supportive and rehabilitative services, and program evaluation.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge of principles and practices of modern medicine related to public health services; structure and functions of health organizations; and current social and economic problems pertaining to public health.General knowledge of state and federal laws pertaining to public health.
• Ability to plan, supervise, and execute a local health program; establish and maintain effective working relationships; coordinate activities among public, private, and professional groups; express ideas clearly and concisely; address audiences effectively; and exercise balanced judgment in evaluating situations and making decisions.

Education and Experience:

• Licensed by the State Board of Medical Examiners to practice medicine in the state.
• Certified by an appropriate American medical specialty board (preventive medicine, family practice, pediatrics, or internal medicine) or a Masters degree in public health plus one year of experience in public health.
• Three years of experience in public health may be substituted for a Masters degree.)

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• May require long periods of standing, bending and moving.
• Must be able to lift up to 75 pounds at times.