The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) has an exciting opportunity within the Director’s Office.

Our mission at DPHHS is to improve and protect the health, well-being, and self-reliance of all Montanans throughout every stage of their life. By joining our team, you will have the opportunity to perform meaningful work in public service to our state and its residents. Whether you are joining the workforce or have several years of experience, DPHHS has the opportunity for you!

The State Medical Officer is responsible for providing leadership for statewide public health policy, program planning, and administration; offering medical direction and oversight to Department, Division programs, and the Governor’s Office to prevent and control disease, mitigate disease outbreak, and promote healthy behavior; and to provide oversight for epidemiologic and surveillance of public health-related issues. 

This position may be eligible for partial telework within the state of Montana. Specific conditions will be outlined as part of the job offer and must adhere to state policy.

What We Can Offer You

The State of Montana's comprehensive benefits package includes healthcare coverage, retirement plans, 15 paid vacation days per year, 12 paid sick days per year, and 10 paid holidays, work/life balance, and eligibility to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Visit the Health Care and Benefits Division for more information at https://benefits.mt.gov/. In addition to employee benefits, there are a wide range of advancement opportunities within the largest state agency in Montana.

To view State of Montana’s medical, dental, vision coverage, and other offerings, you can visit our Health Care and Benefits website at, https://benefits.mt.gov/

What You Can Offer Us

Public Health Policy and Program Planning

• Provides leadership for statewide public health program planning and administration activities including health assessment, epidemiology, and surveillance; policy development; public health interventions; and healthcare service delivery.
• Researches and monitors emerging public health issues, disease trends, and evidence-based prevention strategies to address public health issues.
• Provides medical direction and oversight for Public Health and Safety Division (PHSD) programs.
• Prioritizes PHSD services, establishes short and long-term program goals, and provides recommendations regarding the allocation of resources to the PHSD Division Administrator.
• Resolves conflicts between federal and state mandates for disease control and preventive, primary, and acute care, and public health service regulation (e.g., Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act , Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act, other related rules and regulations).
• Enforces statutory objectives and provisions of rules for preventive, primary, and acute care, and public health services provided by DPHHS, local governments, and a wide range of private and public providers.
• Negotiates with federal officials, DPHHS management, local governments, and other public health organizations to facilitate the achievement of DPHHS objectives.
• Represents the Department as medical spokesperson and point of contact with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), medical professionals, provider organizations, national and state associations, and other groups.
• Responds to medical and public health policy and practice inquiries from the public, state agencies, and other groups and individuals, including members of the Montana Legislature.
• Directs and develops reports, assessments, studies, and research related to public health intervention, quality control and assurance, public health improvement and disease prevention, public health policies, and treatment standards.

Medical Direction and Oversight

• Provides medical direction and oversight of PHSD programs to ensure the proper implementation of state-of-the-art public health and medical interventions and services.
• Provides medical consultation to the state Medicaid Program, addressing quality assurance, utilization review, and benefit design considerations.
• Assesses the effectiveness of medical and public health policies, procedures, plans, and programs.
• Provides medical oversight for the design, implementation, and evaluation of public health programs within PHSD.
• Provides oversight of medical technical assistance, quality assurance review, and compliance evaluation to respond to CDC, providers, and other entities.
• Oversees the development and implementation of public health program and service quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) standards, methods, and policies.
• Facilitates communication between local public health staff, DPHHS officials, and other local, state, and federal agencies to obtain or furnish information regarding planned and proposed public health programs and projects, DPHHS and federal public health standards, and program requirements.
• Provides assistance and medical consultation to the Healthcare Facilities Division to support clinical performance improvements and external review.
• Provides assistance to other DPHHS work units and cooperating agencies on medical issues, public health policy implementation, contract administration, and related activities.
• Provides public health and medical program administration guidance to local governments, provider associations, and other agencies to ensure uniform quality assurance, compliance with department policies, and proper medical practice.
• Provides expert testimony in court cases involving public health, medical, and related issues.
• Coordinates the development, negotiation, and monitoring of numerous contracts and memorandums of understanding/agreements with various public and private agencies involved in public health service provision, policy research, and public health planning activities.

Epidemiology and Surveillance

• Provides oversight and leadership to PHSD programs regarding the development, implementation, and evaluation of public health-related surveillance systems including potential disease outbreaks and clusters.
• Provides consultation and technical assistance to PHSD programs, local and tribal public health programs, and other organizations in response to disease outbreaks and other public health emergencies.
• Directs and develops reports, assessments, studies, and research related to public health surveillance and epidemiology.

Physical and Environmental Demands: Typical office work environment.  In-state travel and overnight stays may occur on a monthly basis but with advance notice. The position is required to be available to respond to work-related issues outside of normal working hours on an on-call basis.