Public Health Medical Administrator Series

California State Personnel Board Specification

Series established February 24, 1988

Scope

This series specification describes classes used by the Department of Health Services to serve as medical administrators of a major public health program typically at the branch and division level within its public health program. Incumbents in these classes are responsible for planning, organizing, directing and controlling statewide public health programs requiring medical expertise and include significant responsibility for the development of public health policy for the State of California.

Factors Affecting Position Allocation

Scope and critical nature of programs administered; impact of health problems and issues on the population of the State; degree of public and legislative interest in the program; independence and level of decision-making authority; degree and level of administrative and supervisory responsibility. While size of staff normally reflects activity, scope of program, and the extent of management responsibility, such size is not an absolute criteria.

Definition of Levels

Public Health Medical Administrator I

Under administrative direction, plans, organizes, and directs a major statewide public health medical program or programs typically at the fourth organizational or branch level; develops general program policy with a major emphasis on the medical aspects and health issues of the program; plans, oversees, and is responsible for comprehensive studies of major health problems and programs; develops statewide standards impacting counties and local medical services; coordinates various programs at Federal, State and local levels. (These programs are sensitive, highly visible programs characterized by significant public interest and/or controversy and requiring high level medical expertise in addition to general managerial skills.)

Public Health Medical Administrator II, Cea

Under administrative direction of the Deputy Director, Public Health, to plan, organize, coordinate and direct several major statewide public health programs, typically a division, identified as requiring both administrative and medical expertise at the third organizational or division chief level with significant responsibility for the development and implementation of public health medical policy; provides overall program direction, develops new programs; provides guidance to the Department and the Legislature to assure the State is providing optimum public health services; identifies and assesses research needs and resources within several programs and provides leadership in planned research programs; represents the Department on committees and in activities related to other public and voluntary organizations, agencies, and advisory groups.

Minimum Qualifications

All Levels:

Possession of the legal requirements for the practice of medicine in California as determined by the California Board of Medical Quality Assurance or the California Board of Osteopathic Examiners. (Applicants who are in the process of securing approval of their qualifications by the Board of Medical Quality Assurance or the Board of Osteopathic Examiners will be admitted to the examination, but the Board to which application is made must determine that all legal requirements have been met before candidate will be eligible for appointment.) and Possession of a valid certificate issued by an American Medical Specialty Board or an American Osteopathic Specialty Board as a specialist in one of the fields of medicine, or eligibility for examination for one of these certificates as evidenced by a written statement from the Secretary of the Board.

Public Health Medical Administrator I

Five years of increasingly responsible administrative, supervisory and/or consultative experience as either a Board-eligible or Board-certified physician in a public health program with at least three of the five years in an administrative or supervisory capacity. (Successful completion of one year of graduate study toward a Master's Degree in Public Health or its equivalent in a recognized school of public health may be substituted for one year of the required experience.)

Public Health Medical Administrator II, Cea

Broad and extensive administrative experience (over five years) as either a Board-eligible or Board-certified physician in a public health program. (Successful completion of one year of graduate study toward a Master's Degree in Public Health or its equivalent in a recognized school of public health may be substituted for one year of the required experience.)

Knowledge and Abilities

All Levels:

Knowledge of: Principles and practices of general medicine with particular emphasis on public health; current programs, problems and trends in public health; comprehensive health planning; operating policies, standards and functions of the Department of Health Services; State, Federal and local public health programs; principles and practices of public administration including fiscal, personnel management and supervision; Department's Affirmative Action Program and objectives; a manager's role in the Affirmative Action Program and the processes available to meet affirmative action objectives.

Ability to: Provide leadership; effectively plan, organize, direct and coordinate a major public health program of statewide scope; adapt to the responsibilities and demands of the management role in a major public health agency; adapt to new leadership and direction and effectively implement policy and program changes; effectively secure the cooperation of all groups interested in promoting public health; communicate effectively; analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action; effectively contribute to the Department's affirmative action objectives.

Special Personal Characteristics

Demonstrated administrative ability; willingness to travel throughout the State; tact.

Class History