Overview
The California Department of Public Health is currently hiring a Medical Officer for the Center for Health Care Quality!
About the Center for Health Care Quality:
CHCQ is responsible for ensuring health care facilities comply with state laws and regulations. In addition, CHCQ cooperates with CMS to ensure that facilities accepting Medicare and Medi-Cal (in California, Medicaid is referred to as Medi-Cal) payments meet federal requirements.
About the Role:
The Medical Officer will serve as an expert medical consultant for the prevention of healthcare-associated infections for the Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) Program, other programs in the Department of Public Health, and other state and local agencies and organizations.
*A valid California medical license is required.
Responsibilities:
· Provides consultation and oversight into the planning, organization, and conduct of epidemiologic investigations of healthcare-associated infections. Provides direct assistance in the epidemiologic investigation of outbreaks of healthcare-associated infections and recommends control and prevention measures to local health departments when requested. Coordinates epidemiologic investigations with local, state, federal and other responding agencies. Serves as a medical lead for healthcare-associated infection prevention and control activities for emergency preparedness and response, including pandemic influenza, bioterrorism, and emerging infectious diseases.
· Develop State guidance to prevent and control healthcare-associated infections. Provides education and training to healthcare providers on prevention and control of healthcare associated infections. Provides education and consultation on healthcare-associated infections to partners and stakeholders, including other programs in the Center for Health Care Quality such as Licensing and Certification, the Healthcare-Associated Infections Advisory Committee, the Division of Communicable Disease Control and other programs in the Center for Infectious Diseases, other programs in the Department of Public Health, other state agencies including the Department of Health Care Services, local health departments, and other governmental and non-governmental agencies concerned with healthcare-associated infections. Maintains expertise in the diagnosis and prevention of healthcare-associated infections, including recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), professional organizations and the standards of practice in the medical community.
· Serves as clinical consultants to HAI Program team leads, local health departments, and other CDPH programs on healthcare-associated infections. Assists in planning, organizing, and directing HAI Program activities, such as related to healthcare epidemiology and antimicrobial stewardship. Initiates, plans, and directs comprehensive studies and projects aimed to reduce the incidence of healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial resistance occurring in California healthcare facilities. Leads statewide activities for the prevention and surveillance of antimicrobial-resistant and other emerging healthcare-associated infections. Oversee high level program initiatives and special projects. Analyzes and interprets surveillance data and identifies areas with the greatest opportunity for prevention to direct efforts and plan resource allocation.
· Conceives and develops grant proposals for outside funding to supplement and extend research and program activities related to the prevention of healthcare-associated infections and transmission and emergence of antimicrobial-resistant infections. Presents findings at scientific medical conferences and publishes findings in peer-reviewed journals.
· Performs other work-related duties as necessary.
Desirable Qualifications:
In addition to evaluating each candidate’s relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:
Experience planning, organizing, and conducting epidemiological investigations of healthcare-associated infections.
Knowledge of State guidance on healthcare-associated infection prevention.
Experience consulting with state and local health departments.
Experience developing grant proposals.
The deadline to apply is September 3rd, 2026.
Links to Apply: https://bit.ly/4x1AuOc
New to the State application process? To be considered for this role, you must follow the directions below. We do not accept applications from external platforms.
1. Create a CalCareer account by going to CalCareers.ca.gov.
2. Confirm that you meet the minimum qualifications for the position you are wanting to apply for. A link to view minimum qualifications is listed on each job posting.
3. After confirming that you meet the minimum qualifications, take, and pass the corresponding examination. Most exams are available online and can be found on CalCareers under the exam/assessment search tab.
4. Apply! Follow all directions and be sure to submit all requested documentation.
Please reach out to Apply@cdph.ca.gov with any questions.
At CDPH equity, diversity, and inclusion are at the core of our mission to advance the health and well-being of California’s diverse people and communities. We are genuinely and strongly committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion and connectedness where we can grow and learn together with a diverse team of employees. In recruiting for team members, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring to us and the work we do.
About California Department of Public Health (CDPH)
CDPH works to protect the public's health in the Golden State and helps shape positive health outcomes for individuals, families and communities. The Department's programs and services, implemented in collaboration with local health departments and state, federal and private partners, touch the lives of every Californian and visitor to the state 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Our Shared Vision
CDPH public health professionals, researchers, scientists, doctors, nurses, and other staff members have a shared vision to protect and improve the health of all Californians. We are dedicated to public service and passionate about our work and the people and communities we serve and protect.
Diversity Statement
At CDPH, equity, diversity, and inclusion are at the core of our mission to advance the health and well-being of California’s diverse people and communities. We are genuinely and strongly committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion and connectedness where we can grow and learn together with a diverse team of employees. In recruiting for team members, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring to us and the work we do.
