02/05/1998 30850

DIRECTOR, BUREAU OF COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS

DEFINITION: This is responsible administrative and professional work as the Community Health Systems Director of district, county, local, and school public health programs.

The employee in this class functions as the Director of the Bureau of Community Health Systems. The employee is responsible for directing program activities which include the Division of School Health, district office and state health center operations, coordination of local health services and liaison with existing and implementing new County Health Departments. The employee participates in the exercise of program leadership in community health in the Commonwealth by interpreting program needs and objectives. The employee coordinates and integrates community health program goals, needs, priorities and objectives with the
overall mission of the Department of Health. Work involves responsibility for the efficient development and utilization of personnel, budget and fiscal reporting required to support the delivery of public health services offered by the Commonwealth at the community level. The employee has substantive input into the formulation of policy, procedures and directives under which the District Directors administer health programs. As the Director of Community Health Systems, work includes responsibility for insuring that local county health departments are administered in accordance with state laws and regulations. The employee directly supervises a staff of professional, technical and/or administrative personnel including the six (6) District Directors. The employee is expected to carry out the day-to-day operations under the direction of the Deputy Secretary for Public Health Programs who provides general goals and objectives. Results are reviewed through reports, conferences and evaluation of the effectiveness of the program.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Plans, organizes, directs and coordinates, under the direction of the Deputy Secretary for Public Health Programs, a statewide program of local public health services provided through the district office of the Department of Health.

Directs, through a subordinate division chief, the duties and responsibilities required by the Public School Code of 1949 and the regulations of the Department.

Exercises program leadership by interpreting health program needs and objectives.

Provides substantive input towards the establishment of program policies, standards and methods of implementation.

Consults with county officials, community and other civic groups interested in the establishment of a County Health Department.

Maintains liaison with other departmental units, public/private health agencies, and professional organizations that are concerned with the delivery of health services.

Makes recommendations to the Deputy Secretary for Public Health Programs regarding current and proposed state and federal legislation pertinent to programs concerned with the delivery of health care services.

Interprets policies and provides guidance and consultation to County Health Departments, local health officers and district offices on health services and budgetary activities.

Reviews recommendations submitted by County Health Departments, local health officers and district offices and recommends final action to the Deputy Secretary for Public Health Programs.

Substitutes for the Deputy Secretary for Public Health Programs, representing the Department in difficult and intensive contacts with health oriented agencies and officials at the local, state and federal level.

Evaluates the effectiveness of district programs for the Deputy Secretary for Public Health Programs.

Directs the compilation of reports for use in program evaluation, development and implementation, as well as for policy making.

Directs the preparation of reports relative to the provision of local health services throughout the Commonwealth.

Employees in this class may participate in the performance of their subordinates work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the theory, principles, practices and current developments in the field of public health.

Knowledge of the principles and methods of administration, supervision and consultation in the field of public health.

Knowledge of the Local Health Administration Law and pertinent regulations.

Knowledge of the Community Health System, both state and federally operated.

Knowledge of the principles and methods of program implementation, promotion and community organization.

Ability to plan, organize and direct the work of subordinate professional, technical and clerical staff.

Ability to provide leadership to establish effective working relationships with departmental officials, their staff, and public and private agencies at the federal, state or local level.

Ability to exercise judgement and discretion in developing, applying and interpreting departmental policies and procedures.

Ability to communicate ideas clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Eight years of experience in the field of public health, six years of which must have been administrative, supervisory, or consultative, and a Master's Degree in Public Health, Public Health Administration, Business Administration, Hospital Administration, the Social Sciences, or a field closely allied to public health.

or

Any equivalent combination of experience and training.