Medical Officer

Overview

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is currently hiring for a Public Health Medical Officer III in our Center for Health Care Quality!

 

About the Center for Health Care Quality:

 

The Center for Health Care Quality (CHCQ) is the largest center in CDPH. Tasked with ensuring health care facilities comply with state laws and regulations, CHCQ cooperates with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to fulfill their mission of protecting the quality and safety of health care for all Californians.

 

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. CHCQ also oversees the certification of nurse assistants, home health aides, hemodialysis technicians, and the licensing of nursing home administrators.

 

About the Role:

 

The Public Health Medical Officer III will serve as an expert medical consultant for the prevention of healthcare-associated infection for the Healthcare-Associated Infections Program (HAI), other programs within the Department of Public Health and other state and local agencies & organizations.

Please note candidates applying to this classification, the Public Health Medical Officer III, must be in possession, or in the process of securing approval, of the legal requirements for the practice of medicine in California as determined by the California Board of Medical Quality Assurance or the California Board of Osteopathic Examiners. Additionally, candidates must be in possession, or in the process of securing approval, of a valid certificate issued either by the American Board of Internal Medicine, the American Board of Surgery, the American Board of Pathology, the American Board of Pediatrics, the American Board of Anesthesiology, the American Board of Radiology, the American Board of Family Practice, the American Board of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, the American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine, the American Osteopathic Board of Surgery, the American Osteopathic Board of Pathology, the American Osteopathic Board of Pediatrics, the American Osteopathic Board of Anesthesiology, the American Osteopathic Board of Radiology, the American Osteopathic Board of General Practice, or the American Osteopathic Board of Preventive Medicine, or current eligibility for examination for one of those certificates as evidenced by a written statement from the Secretary of the Board. Please review the minimum requirements, linked below, for this position.

Responsibilities:

·       Serves as clinical consultant 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.

·       Oversees 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.

·       Provides consultation and oversight in 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.

·       Develops 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.

·       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:

Knowledge of:

·       Principles and practices of preventive medicine and public health

·       Organization and operation of preventive medical programs.

·       Current literature in this field; public health organizations, practices, and administration; medical assistance programs.

·       Community organization principles and principles of scientific research.

·       Department’s affirmative action program objectives.

·       A manager’s role in the affirmative action program and the processes available to meet affirmative action objectives.

 

Ability to:

·       Plan, organize, design and direct special surveys.

·       Consult on and interpret the results of field surveys.

·       Plan, organize, and direct special investigations in the field of preventive medicine.

·       Secure the cooperation of and work effectively with individuals and agencies.

·       Conduct educational programs.

·       Speak and write effectively.

·       Analyze situations accurately and take effective action.

·       Effectively contribute to the department’s affirmative action objectives.

 

The deadline to apply is April 10th, 2024.

 

Link to Apply: https://bit.ly/3Jb6R5y

 

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.