JOB TITLE: DIRECTOR, DRUG SURVEILLANCE AND MISUSE PREVENTION OFFICE

JOB CODE: 34643

DEFINITION: This is highly responsible managerial and policy work directing the Drug Surveillance and Misuse Prevention Office in the Department of Health.

The employee in this job serves as the principal program and policy advisor to executive level decision-makers in the department and the commonwealth on the design, development, and implementation of a statewide prescription drug surveillance and prevention program for controlled substances. Work involves formulating policy and providing policy direction for the monitoring of all controlled prescription drugs prescribed and dispensed in the commonwealth; coordinating the implementation of policies and procedures in accordance with state and federal guidelines; planning and directing program activities; linking statewide activities with national, regional, and local policies and initiatives focused on reducing prescription drug abuse; evaluating executive level planning and policy making within the department for its application to reduce prescription drug abuse; and directing staff in the coordination and support of existing commonwealth policies and programs. Work also involves representing the department on policy matters related to prescription drug monitoring with national, state, and local agencies and organizations; law enforcement; pharmacies; health care providers; advisory boards; and special interest groups. Work is assigned in the form of broad policy and program goals and objectives, and the employee exercises considerable judgment in determining specific policy and program outcomes. Work is reviewed through reports and conferences for attainment of overall program goals.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not all all-inclusive list of work examples.)

• Develops and implements policies and procedures to track, evaluate, and reduce prescription drug abuse in the commonwealth.

• Serves as the Secretary of Health’s designee on the Achieving Better Care by Monitoring All Prescriptions Program (ABC-MAP) Board by serving as its chairperson.

• Serves as a liaison with department staff, advisory boards, state and local agencies, and associations statewide to coordinate, develop, and implement measures to track, evaluate, and reduce prescription drug abuse in the commonwealth.

• Directs and coordinates the monitoring of all controlled prescription drugs that are prescribed and dispensed in the commonwealth.

• Oversees the implementation of a comprehensive electronic prescription monitoring system and end user training for medical professionals using the system.

• Provides expert consultative and advisory services to the Deputy Secretary for Health Resources and Services, the Physician General, and Public Health Physicians on prescription drug monitoring program related policies, procedures, and issues.

• Advocates for and leads the development of programs to increase public awareness of prescription drug abuse, and related prevention and control measures.

• Reviews proposed legislation to evaluate program impacts.

• Coordinates regulatory and policy efforts with representatives from federal, state, and local entities.

• Evaluates and implements best practices in the development of the drug surveillance and misuse prevention program.

• Directs information technology vendors, project managers, public health professionals, data analysts, and other professional, technical, and clerical staff.

• The employee in this job may participate in the performance of subordinates' work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

• Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of health program administration.

• Knowledge of the principles and methods applied to collecting, reviewing, analyzing, and interpreting data.

• Knowledge of federal laws and regulations governing health information.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of policy development and implementation.

• Knowledge of the principles and methods of program planning, development, and implementation.

• Knowledge of the use and functionality of Microsoft Office Suite software.

• Ability to analyze and interpret policies, procedures, and regulations.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities)

• Six years of professional public health, health, or drug and alcohol program experience including four years of experience in planning and coordinating the development and implementation of public health, health, or drug and alcohol programs and policies, and a master’s degree in public health, health, or a related field;

or

• An equivalent combination of experience and training.