Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator bei Hays County, TX

About the Department

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, include the responsibilities, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics listed below. This list of responsibilities is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Other duties may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Summary
Under general supervision of the Health Department Manager, and in coordination with other emergency preparedness and response staff, the Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator plans, develops and implements the Public Health Emergency Response Plan and assists in the rapid detection and investigation of disease outbreaks and other public health threats in the jurisdiction; notifies local, county and regional response staff as necessary and coordinates response team efforts for disease investigation and surveillance. This position implements the Emergency Preparedness Plan and is responsible for departmental implementation of National Preparedness Programs, including the National Smallpox Preparedness Program and the Strategic National Stockpile. This position affects the physical wellbeing of the citizens of Hays County.

Position Duties

? Participates in the planning, development, interpretation, and implementation of emergency preparedness and response plans and infectious disease protocols in the covered area.
? Coordinates activities to ensure local readiness, interagency collaboration, and other threats and emergencies involving Hays County.
? Coordinates with the Health Department Manager, Director of Countywide Operations, and the Director of the Office of Emergency Services in response to all emergencies.
? Participates as a member of the Capital Area Public Health Medical Preparedness Coalition, which serves as a resource during a response to a bioterrorism event or other public health emergency and may respond to a bioterrorism event, large disease outbreak, or other public health emergency in the state of Texas.
? Leads and maintains close point of dispensing (PODS) operations and processes with local partners to include community outreach and exercises with private and public organizations and the residence of Hays County.
? Participates as a member of the Hays County Fire Chief Association monthly meetings.
? Assists in the prevention and control of infectious diseases.
? Performs professional, consultative, investigative, advisory, and educational activities for stakeholders and the public.
? Maintains the Hays County Hospital, Emergency Medical Services, and Emergency Management Coordinators, Collaborative Committee which consists of local medical providers to include, but not limited to, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory personnel, hospital, school, county government, nursing homes, long-term care facilities, assisted living, and daycare staff. This networking will be the foundation of an early detection program by encouraging prompt reporting.
? Coordinates efforts to ensure effective communication connectivity among local medical providers as well as other local health departments, law enforcement, public officials, and emergency response personnel.
? Acts as a member of a multi-disciplinary rapid response team in outbreaks to rapidly and effectively investigate and respond to outbreaks of disease, potential terrorist events, and other public health emergencies immunization activities, or chemoprophylaxis.
? Assists the Hays County Local Health Department for response to an infectious disease outbreak.
Assists in the dissemination of vaccines and medications and assists and provides resources and technical assistance to address disease outbreak investigations.
? Conducts training and exercises in response to public health emergencies.
? Files reports to local, county, or regional staff regarding management of preparedness.
? Assists and monitors with Emergency Management Resource, WEB Emergency Operation Center, and Emergency Regional Notification System
? Responsible for the maintenance and development relating to the Public Health Emergency Preparedness Grant
? Represents the Local Health Department and Office of Emergency Services in matters relating to the Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Emergency Services of Hays County at meetings required by the Local Health Department Manager, Director of Countywide Operations, and Director of the Office of Emergency Services.
? Networks with the local community within Hays County and the media to promote public health education regarding bioterrorism, weapons of mass destruction, other infectious disease outbreaks, and public health threats and emergencies.
? Identifies weaknesses in a community’s ability to respond to bioterrorism events and public health issues and helps the community to formulate a plan to correct the deficiencies.
? Performs other duties, as may be assigned by competent authority.

Minimum Qualifications

? Bachelor’s degree in emergency management, public administration, public health education, nursing, or in a closely related field.
? Prefer two years experience in public health, healthcare, emergency medical service, military, law enforcement, fire service, or related field.

Other Qualifications

Other Qualifications, Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
? Ability to obtain certifications in bioterrorism training.
? Class C driver’s license.
? Participation in community outreach programs.