Director, Primary Health Care

Posting number: 201905512

Department: |Department of Health- STX|

Job classification: Director, Primary Health Care

Posting type: Open

Categories: Administration

Summary

Under the direction of the Deputy Commissioner and Commissioner of Health, this position will serve as the Director for the Virgin Islands Department of Health Primary Care Office. The Primary Care Office (PCO) improves access to primary healthcare for medically underserved areas and populations. The office is funded for five years through an annual U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant. Through outreach and partnerships, the PCO identifies and reduces barriers to primary healthcare.

Examples of duties

Conduct the Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) and Medically Underserved Area (MUA) report to the Federal government to allow participation in federal primary care and health professions program.

Coordination of the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) program, including aiding with recruitment and retention, and website advertising of the VI as a practice location and for NHSC vacancies.

Coordination of the Conrad 30: J-1 Visa Waiver program to fill health provider vacancies.

Collaboration with or coordination of other efforts in the territory to identify and address health workforce shortages.

Participation in the safety net providers network efforts to develop a shared patient data base and coordinated care management in the territory.

Assistance with Community Health Center (CHC) growth and new CHC or NHSC site development.

Identification of technical assistance, training opportunities and grant opportunities relevant to primary health care access in the Virgin Islands.

Development of policy recommendations regarding primary care, health professions supply, and barriers to health care access in the Virgin Islands; and

Development of a comprehensive data resource and contact list for our own use in small area analysis, and to share.

Qualifications

Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Public Health, Public Administration, Business Administration, Business Management, or Psychology or Bachelor’s in a health-related field. Experience in grant writing/management and reporting. At least five (5) years of experience in the administrative field.

Supplemental information

FACTOR 1- KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED BY THE POSITION

Knowledge and experience in providing Medical shortage designations, Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) Designation, Healthcare Access Reports, Healthcare workforce Recruitment and Retention programs, J-1 Visa Waiver Program, Direct Recruitment, National Health Services Corps eligibility assistance, Application assistance to federally qualified health center grants, Consult on community planning resources for providers, county health departments and other groups, Advocate for resources that promote access for medically underserved populations Partners, and Knowledge of project management experience.

Experience with grant programs or other similar administrative or operational experiences is also preferred.

FACTOR 2- SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

The Deputy Commissioner or designee assigns work. The Director will have direct control of the work and is expected to work mostly independently under the framework set by the Deputy Commissioner. Work is also assigned indirectly based on already set instructions given, priorities, and deadlines set based on program, leadership, or regulatory needs.

The Deputy Commissioner and/or designee and/or the Commissioner of Health review work.

FACTOR 3- GUIDELINES

Work is performed based on guiding Standard Operating Procedures, the Virgin Islands Code, and federal and other local laws specific to Primary Care Office. Work is also performed by regulatory requirements such as the Joint Commission on Accreditation.

Professional, Administrative, and ethical judgment are critical to the program’s success.

FACTOR 4- COMPLEXITY

The nature of the work can be complex as it often involves engagement with law, regulatory agencies, and applicable statues impacting the program. The Span of control is less complex as leadership is tiered, which helps support the span of control. Some complexity may evolve in ensuring external stakeholders are congruent with programmatic mandates.

FACTOR 5- SCOPE AND EFFECT

The work aims to open access and deliver affordable quality healthcare services to the United States Virgin Islands community within the confines of applicable law.

FACTOR 6- PERSONAL CONTACTS

Personal contact is made through engagement with other internal and external stakeholders. These stakeholders are not limited to patients, team members, other local and federal governmental agencies, other health services providers, and the community.

FACTOR 7- PURPOSE OF CONTACTS

Personal contacts provide care, services, and collaboration to establish best practices, recommendations, collegiality, legal guidance, compliance, and education.

FACTOR 8- PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

Prolonged periods of standing while facilitating training

FACTOR 9- WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is mostly performed in an office setting. Some work may be conducted in a clinical setting, where special safety protocols are established and monitored. Work is conducted territory-wide and requires traveling between the United States Virgin Islands. Based on programmatic or educational mandates, work may periodically be outside the Territory.