02/24/1998 34690

DIRECTOR, BUREAU OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

DEFINITION: This position is highly responsible administrative work at the Bureau level involving the development and direction of a statewide program in Communicable Diseases in the Department of Health.

Work involves directing, through subordinate managerial and professional personnel, the activities of the Divisions of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Sexually Transmitted Diseases, and Immunizations. Work involves recommending, developing, implementing, and coordinating polices, procedures, priorities, and plans for efficient Bureau operation. An important aspect of the work of this position is the responsibility for integrating Bureau programs and priorities with the general programs and priorities of the Department of Health. The employee in this class is the principle advisor to the Deputy Secretary for Public Health Programs, the Secretary of Health and other high-level agency decision-makers on issues relating to the development and administration of the statewide Communicable Diseases program. Work involves formulating and publicly advocating substantive program policies related to Communicable Diseases program services and recommending changes when necessary. An extensive amount of contact is maintained between the employee in this position and other agency personnel, other state agencies, Federal program officials, other public and private organizations, and the general public for the purpose of program planning and development, recommending program changes in accordance with Federal, state or local rules and regulations; explaining, clarifying, or advocating program needs or intentions; and reviewing and implementing proposed legislation to determine the impact on Communicable Diseases program services. Work is assigned in the form of broad program goals and objectives, and is performed with a high degree of independence. Work is reviewed by the Deputy Secretary for Public Health Programs through reports and conferences for effectiveness of results.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Directs, through management of subordinate professional personnel, the activities of the Divisions of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Sexually Transmitted Diseases, and Immunizations.

Recommends, develops, and implements policies, procedures, priorities, and plans for efficient bureau operation.

Integrates bureau programs and priorities with the general programs and priorities of the Department of Health.

Advises the Deputy Secretary of Public Health Programs, the Secretary of Health and other high-level agency decision-makers on issues relating to the development and administration of the statewide Communicable Diseases program services.

Formulates and publicly advocates substantive policy related to Communicable Diseases services; recommends changes when necessary.

Promotes public interest in utilization of public health services by speaking before interested parties and professional groups on public health needs and services.

Directs through a subordinate Division Chief in the Division of Tuberculosis and Sexually Transmitted Diseases an assessment of the prevention and care needs of those at risk for TB and the provision of training, medical support and laboratory supplies for STD clinics and other sites.

Directs through a subordinate Division Chief in the Division of Immunizations the coordination of immunizations statewide through the administration of three programs, Vaccines for Children (VFC), Immunization Action Plan and Basic Immunizations.

Directs through a subordinate Division Chief in the Division of HIV/AIDS the assessment of the prevention and care needs of individuals who are HIV infected or at risk of HIV infection and develops programs targeted for those at high risk for HIV transmission.

Reviews and comments on legislation affecting Communicable Diseases program services and defines the need for legislation relative to persons with communicable diseases or to those who provide services with persons with communicable diseases.

Evaluates program effectiveness to determine if client populations are adequately served.

Establishes and maintains contact with high-level agency personnel, other state agencies, Federal program specialists, and other public and private organizations, and the general public for program planning and development; recommends program changes in accordance with Federal, state and local rules and regulations; and explains, clarifies or advocates program needs and intentions.

Directs Bureau budgeting, personnel, grants and other administrative activities.

Supervises professional, technical and clerical personnel.

Plans and assigns the work of subordinates; approves or disapproves leave; responds to grievances by recommending or implementing corrective action.

Directs the collection, analysis and interpretation of public health statistics; reviews and analyzes program statistics to determine the effect on bureau activities.

Prepares and submits monthly and annual reports of program activities.

Develops long and short range plans for the Commonwealth's and the Department's response to communicable diseases.

Promotes and increases the knowledge and understanding of decision makers about communicable diseases, particularly staff of the Governor's Office (Policy Development, Budget and Administration), members of the state legislature and their staff and officials and staff of other state agencies through presentations, reports, coordination and consultation.

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 principles, practices, current developments, and problems in the field of public health, particularly relating to communicable diseases.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration.

Knowledge of the principles of effective supervision.

Knowledge of the principles and practices in public health as related to the development and implementation of statewide programs in HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Sexually Transmitted Diseases, and Immunizations.

Knowledge of those Federal, state and local agencies, programs, resources, funding sources, rules, and regulations which effect the delivery of communicable diseases services such as education and training, and intervention and care.

Knowledge of the principles of grants management in relation to the securing of funds for the operation of statewide programs in HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Sexually Transmitted Diseases, and Immunizations.

Ability to interpret and explain the significance of public health statistics in relation to education and training and intervention and care.

Ability to interpret and explain the implications of Federal, state, and local laws, rules, and procedures effecting statewide communicable diseases programs such as HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Sexually Transmitted Diseases, and Immunizations.

Ability to plan, direct and manage the work of a large professional, technical, and clerical staff.

Ability to communicate both orally and in writing and present technical reports which summarize or advocate program policy, achievements, purposes, needs, etc.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, associates, superiors, and other Federal, state and local agencies, and the general public.

Ability to exercise sound management skills.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Seven years of experience in the field of health, five years of which must have been administrative, supervisory, or consultative experience; and a Bachelor's Degree in public health, social science, health administration, public administration, business administration, hospital administration, or a field closely allied to health;

or

Any equivalent combination of experience and training.