Health Officer

Summary Whatcom County Health & Community Services seeks an experienced physician and proven leader to serve as co-Health Officer for Whatcom County. The Health Officers provide guidance and recommendations for the Whatcom County Board of Health and take actions as necessary to educate the community on public health issues to control and prevent the spread of dangerous, contagious or infectious diseases. This important and highly visible position provides leadership while promoting and protecting the health of the community. Job duties are divided by co-Health Officers based on their strengths, interests, and expertise. Co-Health Officers collaborate closely on decision-making where there is substantial public health impact. Essential Job Duties: Performs applicable duties as delineated in RCW 70.05.070. Participates in developing, recommending and implementing agency long- and short-term program objectives. Facilitates and coordinates cooperative planning in conjunction with other divisions, departments and entities. Reviews and updates planning recommendations. Directs activities with available personnel and in compliance with guidelines, procedures and regulations. Promotes teamwork within the County. Identifies trends and problems hindering progress and develops and implements recommendations for problem resolution with staff and higher level management. Provides medical oversight of clinical programs; participates in administrative appeals regarding environmental health permit denials; and takes actions as necessary to educate the community on public health issues to control and prevent the spread of dangerous, contagious or infectious diseases. Participates in assessing the health status of the community. Provides oversight on comprehensive studies of potentially systemic threats to public health; researches, analyzes, compiles, prepares and presents conclusions, reports and recommended actions. Evaluates the causes of communicable diseases; determines appropriate evaluation and intervention strategies; and chairs the communicable disease outbreak team. Reviews, revises or writes standing orders and protocols for clinical services. Provides medical direction to nursing staff as assigned. Coordinates resources and services, consults and collaborates with the medical community, hospital medical staff, other health care professionals, policy and advisory boards, and the public; develops and implements public health policy; develops regulations; and provides information and recommendations regarding public health issues and activities. Identifies emerging medical and environmental issues and confers with and makes recommendations to appropriate staff on health-related issues. Reviews, interprets and prepares data to analyze and makes recommendations about which programs and/or major project proposals should be initiated, modified or dropped. Interprets policy and makes recommendations for program, policy or procedure changes and assures that appropriate policies, procedures and tasks are created and updated. Directs staff in monitoring enforcement of ordinances, state and federal rules and regulations, policies and procedures. Assesses and assures compliance, and interprets and applies regulations equitably. Makes administrative decisions, as assigned. Provides public information in a courteous manner and emphasizes public accountability and a positive public service approach with staff. Makes oral presentations and functions as County representative at meetings, hearings and conferences. Participates in Department Leadership and Management meetings. Balances fiscal impact, objectives and community input when developing public health strategies, making recommendations and providing advice. For more information please review the Job Description. Supervisor: Health and Community Services Director Hours of Work: Each co-Health Officer is budgeted as a .60 FTE employee (24 hours per week). Additional hours may be required to assist with Public Health emergencies. Salary Range: Unrepresented- Range 802 ($94.92 / hour in 2024) plus full County benefits package. Qualifications Requirements include: License to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery in the State of Washington Registration with the Drug Enforcement Agency for prescription of controlled substances Minimum of five years experience as a licensed practicing physician Masters of Public Health The Ideal Candidate: Must be an experienced physician with a passion for Public Health and desire to preserve, promote and improve the health of the Whatcom County community. Must have a demonstrated leadership abilities including the ability to work effectively with both public and political stakeholders. Must be able to identify and evaluate health risks, respond appropriately to the risk and effectively communicate this information to the community. At its sole discretion, Whatcom County may consider combinations of education, experience, certifications, and training in lieu of specifically required qualifications contained herein. Distinguish yourself in public service and make a commitment to our future. Whatcom County, WA is truly special and a great place to call home!