07/09/1997 37101

DIRECTOR, BUREAU OF FAMILY HEALTH

DEFINITION: This is highly responsible administrative and professional work at the Bureau level in the field of maternal and children's program.

The employee in this class is responsible for planning, directing, and implementing several statewide public health programs. As the Director of the Bureau of Family Health, the employee is responsible for managing a multi-division bureau and integrating its component parts with the total program of the Department of Health. Work involves overseeing the development and implementation of policies and procedures for the statewide program in accordance with state and Federal guidelines. Work involves establishing program priorities and objectives in relation to the management of the Bureau and the Divisions on both a programmatic and administrative basis and developing the appropriate means of accomplishment. The employee is the principal adviser to the Secretary of Health and other high-level agency decision-makers on issues relating to the development and administration of the statewide WIC, Special Health Care, and Maternal and Child Health programs. An extensive amount of contact is required between the employee and legislators, vendors, state, local, and Federal program officials and the general public to address and correct any problems, and to provide information on proposed program changes and their impact. Supervision is exercised over managerial, professional, and clerical personnel. The employee functions with considerable freedom in carrying out the goals and objectives of these programs, in concert with Federal guidelines. Results are reviewed by the Deputy Secretary for Public Health Programs, through reports and conferences for attainment of program goals and objectives, completeness, and overall program quality.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Directs, through subordinate management and professional personnel, the activities of the Divisions of WIC, Special Health Care Programs and Maternal and Child Health.

Determines, 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 Secretary of Health and other high-level agency decision-makers on issues relating to the development and administration of the statewide maternal and child health preventive services program.

Formulates and publicly advocates substantive program policy related to WIC, maternal and child preventive health services, and special health care programs, recommends changes when necessary.

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

Directs through a subordinate Division Chief, the development of plans and programs in the Division of Maternal and Child Health designed to improve the health status of the family unit as well as each of its integral parts.

Directs, through a subordinate Division Chief in the Division WIC, the establishment of policies, standards, and guidelines for the operation of WIC services in the Commonwealth.

Directs through a subordinate Division Chief in the Division of Special Health Care Programs, the establishment of policies, standards and guidelines for the operation of special health care programs in the Commonwealth.

Establishes program goals, standards of performance, and methods of implementation for use by service providers in carrying out the mandates of the program.

Reviews and comments on legislation affecting Maternal and Child Health; defines the need for legislation in specific programs.

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

Establishes and maintains contacts with high-level agency personnel, other state agencies, federal program specialists, 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, 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 effect on Bureau activities.

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 and practices of public administration.

Knowledge of the principles of effective supervision.

Knowledge of the theory, principles, practices, and current developments in Maternal and Child Health (MCH), public health nutrition as they relate to women, infants, and children, and special health care programs.

Knowledge of Federal and state laws governing public health, supplemental nutrition, MCH, and special health care programs.

Knowledge of the methods utilized in the collection and interpretation of public health statistics for MCH, supplemental nutrition, special health care programs.

Knowledge of current social and economic problems as they apply to public health in general, MCH, supplemental nutrition, and special health care programs.

Ability to plan, develop, and administer a complex and varied public health program.

Ability to articulate electronic data processing needs and analyze and utilize EDP reports.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with representatives of state agencies, state, local, and Federal public health officials, local health organizations, institutions, and the general public.

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

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

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Seven years of experience in the field of public health, five years of which must have been administrative, supervisory, or consultative experience, and a Bachelor's Degree in Social Sciences, Public Health Administration, Business Administration, Hospital Administration, or a field closely allied to public health. Education above the bachelor's level in any of the above fields may be substituted or the general experience on a year-for-year basis, to a maximum of three (3) years.

or

Any equivalent combination of experience and training, which includes the required five years of administrative, supervisory or consultative experience.

ALLOCATION TERM: Public Health

Public Health is defined as the provision of health care services, treatment, prevention, and/or detection of disease for targeted population groups within a community at large, with a goal of optimal health for all. It does not involve provision of services on an isolated, individual basis.