Health/Medical Preparedness Coordinator

Starting Compensation:

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Job Description:

JOB SUMMARY

• The core responsibilities include direct administrative support to the County Health Advisory Council (CHAC).

• The position is responsible for the development and maintenance of a County Health and Medical Preparedness Plan to ensure preparedness for health and medical emergencies that impact the County.

• This position provides relevant information, data, and summary assessments to the Commissioners on emerging health threats.

• Prepares information regarding community health and medical threats and has frequent interaction with other County department personnel, County Health Systems, medical providers, law enforcement, emergency services, veterinarians, the coroner, educational institutions, and community-based organizations. 

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

• The Health and Medical Coordinator reports to the Emergency Management/HAZMAT Operations Manager.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Provide administrative support to the County Health Advisory Council (CHAC), including drafting press releases and following Sunshine Law requirements, and coordinating meetings under Council leadership and County Commissioners—managing agendas, minutes, correspondence, and research to support health and medical planning, training, and exercise activities

• Completes, evaluates, maintains, and updates as appropriate the Lancaster County Health and Medical Preparedness Plan, in accordance with Project Public Health Ready (PPHR) Accreditation standards.

• Maintains the Health and Medical Emergency Operations Plan and all Annexes.

• Coordinates and leads Lancaster County preparedness initiatives for public health and medical events and emergencies.

• Serves as the chairperson of Lancaster County’s Safety Committee; leads the monthly safety committee meetings, prepares and distributes agendas and minutes to the committee, work with the County’s insurance representative to ensure compliance with workplace standards, leads improvement of safety initiatives and Accident and Illness Improvement Plan (AIPP).

• Develops and implements effective strategies to disseminate health and medical preparedness information to the community and key stakeholders for integration into the County Crisis Communications Plan.

• Designs and plans exercises, using HSEEP methodology, to test the efficiency of all Health and Medical Preparedness plans in accordance with the 15 CDC Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Capabilities.

• In consultation with the PA Department of Health and local medical organizations, maintains awareness of investigations regarding communicable and infectious diseases; provides updates on the investigations to the Director of Emergency Management and the Lancaster County Board of Commissioners in the form of situation reports and presentations.

• Maintains awareness of animal and human disease prevalence in Lancaster County.

• Develops training materials to help educate the public and facilitate participation in health and medical preparedness initiatives.

• Participates in emergency mitigation and prevention programs with State agencies, local municipalities, and community organizations.

• Attends community meetings and special events to keep current on local health and medical preparedness issues and concerns in the community, providing technical advice when appropriate.

• Assists with the incorporation of health and medical functions into training and exercise design (POD, sheltering, testing sites, etc.)

• Maintains currency in advancements in the health and medical field and accurately projects the impacts of these changes on health and medical preparedness.

• Is the primary liaison to multiple Health & Medical State, regional, and local organizations, and committees.

• Serves as an on-call Emergency Management Duty Officer within the rotation schedule and performs the duties and responsibilities of this position.

• Serves as the Health and Medical Emergency Support Function (ESF8) in the County EOC.

• Respond to and assist in disaster assessment and recovery activities as directed by the Director.

• Performs related work as required.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Must obtain National Safety Council Advanced Safety Certificate within the first two years of employment.

• Must complete PA Emergency Management Agency County Associate Certification within the first two years of employment.

• Must complete PA Emergency Management Agency County Professional Certification within four years of employment.

• Must sustain / recertify PA Emergency Management Agency County Professional Certification during employment.

• Must complete other training and certification as determined by the Department Director or designee.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

• Bachelor’s Degree in related field or 1 year of relevant experience in safety/health, medical, EMS, public safety, emergency management, or public administration field. OR

• High School Diploma and any combination of relevant education and Emergency Health and/or medical preparedness/response experience that adds up to five (5) years.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Strong organizational skills, initiative, integrity, sound professional judgment, tact and courtesy; Possesses excellent organizational, time & schedule management, and public speaking skills.

• Ability to analyze and organize data as well as to prepare records, reports and presentations utilizing solid principles of preparing effective training and educational materials and exercises.

• Knowledgeable in the methods of program development, program management, and evaluation; strong oral and written communication skills.

• Knowledge of Title 35 Health and Safety, including applicable subsections pertaining to EMS, health and medical preparedness.

• Thorough knowledge of relevant federal, state, and local laws, codes, rules and regulations regarding emergency management, healthcare systems, and public health preparedness.

• Good knowledge of community organizations and service providers related to local health and medical services; Ability to meet and deal effectively with representatives of government, local governmental and non-governmental organizations, and members of the public.

• Seeks and manages atypical and recurring grant funding sources.

REQUIRED LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS/CLEARANCES

• Valid Driver’s License with clean driving record for the last 5 years.

• Successful completion of criminal background and credit checks.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

•  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to lift and move 50 pounds.

• Ability to work 12+ hour shifts.

• Availability to work weekends and holidays.

• Individuals may participate in field operations and be capable of walking extended distances in less-than-ideal conditions (i.e.: floods, mud, windstorm aftermath, snow, and damage assessment).

• This position has been identified as having the potential for exposure to Hepatitis B. Access to training and a voluntary vaccination against Hepatitis B is provided.

The County of Lancaster offers comprehensive benefits to our employees.  Read more about our benefits here.

Lancaster County Government provides Equal Employment Opportunity for all persons regardless of race, religion, age, sex, national origin, genetic information or disability. The County also observes all applicable laws regarding Veterans status. The County reflects this action in all areas of employment and compensation practices and policies. Employment with the County is based upon the ability to perform the job as well as dependability and reliability once an individual is hired.