Placer County

(Unclassified)

To perform responsible work providing a variety of medical specialty services and consultation for Placer County Department of Health and Human Services.

This position serves at the pleasure of the Appointing Authority having no specific term and no property right to continuous employment and can be released without cause.

Receives direction from the Chief Physician within a Division in the Department of Health and Human Services. 

May exercise technical and functional medical supervision over professional, technical and clinical staff in the administration of program areas. 

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provide medical supervision and consultation to Division physicians in the absence of the Chief Physician, or as directed.
• Provide medical direction for the agency in the absence of the Chief Physician.
• Examine patients and diagnose their illnesses.
• Prescribe and administer medical treatment within the scope of practice associated with licensure and board certification, if required.
• Perform or assist in performing medically indicated treatments, operations, procedures and follow-up card consistent with their scope of practice, licensure, and certifications.
• Provide Expert Witness court testimony in related cases as required.
• Order laboratory examinations and analysis, x-rays and special diets.
• Write prescriptions; make rounds and review reports, records and general progress of patients.
• Instruct and oversee physicians, surgeons, technicians and personnel assigned for special training.
• Attend and participate in staff conferences for the surgical, medical and mental condition of various patients and their diagnosis and treatment.
• Maintain and keep current appropriate clinical documentation as required.
• Prepare reports and related correspondence.
• Using a multi-disciplinary and family and consumer center approach to care build, and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers other county employees, and the public using principles of good customer service and professional communication.
• Provide on call/stand by coverage when assigned.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

For Mental Health assignments:  Admit and discharge clients as necessary.  Examine clients and diagnose their mental illness, prescribe and administer psychiatric treatment, order laboratory examination and analysis, write and adjust prescriptions, review reports, records interventions and general progress of clients, consult with other physicians, practitioners, counselors and staff regarding ongoing or problem cases.

Knowledge of:

• Practices and principles of general medicine, psychiatry and surgery.
• Modern hospital and clinical practice and administration.
• Gross pathology and psychiatric social work, physical, therapy, and the various rehabilitation therapies.
• Current methods and standards for the medical, psychiatric, and/or surgical care of patients.
• Equipment, tools, supplies and technologies used in the diagnosis and treatment of disease.
• Principles and practices of leadership, motivation, team building and conflict resolution.
• Principles and practices of supervision, training and personnel management.
• Pertinent local, state and federal rules, regulations and laws.
• Principles and practices of work safety, especially as related to communicable diseases.

For Mental Health assignment: practices and principles of general psychiatry, modern inpatient hospital practice, rehabilitation therapies for mental disorders, chemical dependency and dual diagnosis.

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; intermittently analyze work papers, reports and special project; identify and interpret technical and numerical information; observe and problem solve operational and technical and numerical information; observe and problem solve operational and technical policies and procedures; explain medical findings, diagnoses, and treatment to staff, patients, families, and court officers.
• On an intermittent basis, sit at desk for long periods of time while reviewing charts and patient histories and preparing reports; intermittently walk, stand, bend, twist and reach while examining/treating patients. Intermittently twist to reach equipment surrounding desk or treatment area; perform simple task grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone and write or use keyboard to communicate through written means; see and hear with acuity sufficient to examine, diagnose and treat patients; and lift or carry weight of 25 pounds or less.
• Examine, diagnose and treat mental disorders in adults, adolescents, and children, coordinate with case manager or nursing staff when appropriate for a particular case, interpret laboratory analyses. Interpret autopsy finding.
• Interpret laboratory analysis.
• Work unusual and/or prolonged work schedules.
• Obtain information through interview; deal fairly and courteously with the public; handle multiple cases; and work effectively with interruption.
• Analyze situations quickly and objectively and determine proper course of action.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

When assigned to Mental Health:
Provide medical direction to mental health staff and as a part of a clinical team, prepare and oversee the preparation of case histories, evaluations, diagnoses and the maintenance of client records. Consult with clinic staff, provider staff and primary care physicians as necessary for the treatment and triage of clients, evaluate clients with complex psychiatric issues, attend staff meeting and clinic meeting as appropriate, and provide testimony at court appearances when clients are involved in legal system.