Health/Medical Preparedness Coordinator

Lancaster County•Manheim, PA

10d•$50,357 - $75,546

About The Position

The Health/Medical Preparedness Coordinator provides administrative support to the County Health Advisory Council (CHAC) and develops and maintains Lancaster County’s Health and Medical Preparedness Plan to support readiness for health and medical emergencies. The position provides information, data, and summary assessments to the County Commissioners on emerging health threats and works with County departments, health systems, medical providers, law enforcement, emergency services, veterinarians, the coroner, educational institutions, and community organizations. The Coordinator maintains health and medical emergency plans, leads preparedness initiatives, designs exercises and training, and communicates preparedness information to the community and stakeholders. The role also chairs the County Safety Committee, serves as a liaison to health and medical organizations, and takes part in emergency operations, including duty officer rotation and County Emergency Operations Center support as the Health and Medical Emergency Support Function (ESF8). The position may assist with disaster assessment and recovery as directed. The role requires a valid driver’s license and successful criminal background and credit checks. Required certifications must be completed and maintained within specified timeframes. Physical and work-environment requirements include lifting and moving up to 50 pounds, working shifts of 12 or more hours, and availability on weekends and holidays. Field operations may involve walking extended distances in adverse conditions. The position has potential exposure to Hepatitis B; training and voluntary vaccination are provided.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a related field or one year of relevant experience in safety/health, medical, EMS, public safety, emergency management, or public administration; alternatively, a high school diploma and a combination of relevant education and emergency health or medical preparedness/response experience totaling five years.
Strong organizational skills, initiative, integrity, sound professional judgment, tact, and courtesy.
Excellent organizational, time-management, scheduling, and public-speaking skills.
Ability to analyze and organize data and prepare records, reports, and presentations.
Ability to prepare effective training and educational materials and exercises.
Knowledge of program development, program management, and evaluation methods.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Knowledge of Title 35 Health and Safety, including applicable provisions related to EMS and 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.
Knowledge of community organizations and service providers related to local health and medical services.
Ability to work effectively with government representatives, local governmental and nongovernmental organizations, and members of the public.
Valid driver’s license and clean driving record for the past five years.
Successful completion of criminal background and credit checks.
Obtain a National Safety Council Advanced Safety Certificate within the first two years of employment.
Complete PA Emergency Management Agency County Associate Certification within the first two years of employment.
Complete PA Emergency Management Agency County Professional Certification within four years of employment and sustain or recertify it during employment.
Complete other training and certifications as determined by the Department Director or designee.
Ability to lift and move 50 pounds.
Ability to work shifts of 12 or more hours and availability to work weekends and holidays.
Ability to participate in field operations and walk extended distances in less-than-ideal conditions.

Responsibilities

Provide administrative support to CHAC, including drafting press releases, following Sunshine Law requirements, coordinating meetings, and managing agendas, minutes, correspondence, and research.
Complete, evaluate, maintain, and update the Lancaster County Health and Medical Preparedness Plan in accordance with Project Public Health Ready (PPHR) accreditation standards.
Maintain the Health and Medical Emergency Operations Plan and all annexes.
Coordinate and lead County preparedness initiatives for public health and medical events and emergencies.
Chair the County Safety Committee; lead monthly meetings, prepare and distribute agendas and minutes, work with the County’s insurance representative on workplace standards compliance, and lead safety initiatives and the Accident and Illness Improvement Plan (AIPP).
Develop and implement strategies for disseminating health and medical preparedness information to the community and key stakeholders for integration into the County Crisis Communications Plan.
Design and plan exercises using HSEEP methodology to test health and medical preparedness plans in accordance with the 15 CDC Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Capabilities.
Consult with the Pennsylvania Department of Health and local medical organizations, monitor communicable and infectious disease investigations, and provide updates to the Director of Emergency Management and County Commissioners through situation reports and presentations.
Maintain awareness of animal and human disease prevalence in Lancaster County.
Develop training materials to educate the public and facilitate participation in preparedness initiatives.
Participate in emergency mitigation and prevention programs with State agencies, local municipalities, and community organizations.
Attend community meetings and special events, stay current on local preparedness issues, and provide technical advice when appropriate.
Assist with incorporating health and medical functions into training and exercise design, including points of dispensing, sheltering, and testing sites.
Maintain currency in health and medical advancements and project their impacts on preparedness.
Serve as the primary liaison to multiple State, regional, and local health and medical organizations and committees.
Serve as an on-call Emergency Management Duty Officer within the rotation schedule and perform the associated duties.
Serve as 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.
Seek and manage atypical and recurring grant funding sources.
Perform related work as required.