Chief Medical Officer, Correctional Facility
California State Personnel Board Specification
Definition
Under general direction, in a State correctional facility in the Department of Corrections or the Department of the Youth Authority, to plan, organize, and direct the medical, psychiatric, dental, and clinical services in the care and treatment of individuals housed in a State correctional facility; to perform medical and surgical work; to maintain order and supervise the conduct of inmates or youthful offenders; to protect and maintain the safety of persons and property; and to do other related work.
Typical Tasks
Plans and assigns work, gives instructions, and passes upon difficult medical problems in directing the staff engaged in treating and caring for ward or inmate patients; directs and assists with the medical, psychiatric, and clinical work of the institution; supervises admissions, assigns cases to physicians, checks case histories and progress, and selects patients for discharge from inpatient settings; directs transfer of patients between institutions and outside medical facilities; examines, diagnoses, prescribes, and administers treatment to youthful offenders or inmates; performs major or minor surgery and supervises the postoperative care of patients; makes rounds, checks reports and charts, and diagnoses cases and prescribes medical and surgical treatment; directs the clinical and pathological work and orders examinations and analyses, X-rays, dental work, special diets, and medications; conducts staff conferences and instructs staff in modern techniques and methods; outlines instructions for nurses and attendants in the care of patients; confers with institution administrators on work plans and establishes improved methods, forms, and procedures; requisitions food for hospital diets, drugs, medications, and medical supplies and equipment; supervises the keeping of records and special case histories; prepares reports and dictates correspondence; maintains order and supervises the conduct of persons committed to the California Department of Corrections or the Department of the Youth Authority; prevents escapes and injury by these persons to themselves, others or to property; maintains security of working areas and work materials; inspects premises and searches inmates or youthful offenders for contraband, such as weapons or illegal drugs.
Minimum Qualifications
Possession of the legal requirements for the practice of medicine in California as determined by the Medical Board of California or the California Board of Osteopathic Examiners. (Applicants who are in the process of securing approval of their qualifications by the Medical Board of California 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 candidates will be eligible for appointment.) and Either I Two years of experience performing the duties of a Physician and Surgeon or Staff Psychiatrist in a California state correctional facility.
Or II
Four years of experience in the practice of medicine, including one year's practice in a hospital or correctional institution.
Knowledge and Abilities
Knowledge of: Modern principles and practices of general medicine and surgery and skill in their application; modern hospital administration and management; principles and techniques used in the diagnosis and treatment of mental diseases; principles and practices of personnel management and effective supervision; Department's Affirmative Action Program objectives; a manager's role in the Affirmative Action Program and the processes available to meet affirmative action objectives.
Ability to: Plan and direct the medical, surgical, dental, and psychiatric activities in an institution and instruct nurses in routine procedures; diagnose and treat a wide variety of diseases and injuries; prepare and supervise the preparation of case histories and the keeping of hospital records; prepare comprehensive medical reports; analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action; communicate effectively; effectively contribute to the Department's affirmative action objectives.
Special Personal Characteristics
Empathetic understanding of patients of a State correctional facility; willingness to work in a State correctional facility; emotional stability; patience; tact; alertness; and keenness of observation.
Special Physical Characteristics
Persons appointed to this position must be reasonably expected to have and maintain sufficient strength, agility and endurance to perform during stressful (physical, mental and emotional) situations encountered on the job without compromising their health and well- being or that of their fellow employees or that of inmates or youthful offenders.
Assignments may include sole responsibility for the supervision of inmates or youthful offenders and/or the protection of personal and real property.
