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PAC backs updates to health services director job description; asks health board to weigh in
Summary
The committee recommended clarifying nursing duties (including phlebotomy) and reconsidering the Health Services Director’s educational requirement and hours, and asked that the health board review the proposed changes before PAC forwards them to Council.
Monroe County’s Personnel Administration Committee unanimously approved a recommendation to update the Health Services Director job description to clarify clinical nursing duties — including phlebotomy — and to notify the health board that the department requests consideration of a 40‑hour workweek for the role.
Council staff and Health Department Director Laurie Kelly discussed why the changes are necessary: current language in the director job description did not clearly indicate the clinical backup responsibilities performed when Disease Intervention Specialists (DIS) are out of the office. Staff described how WIS had interpreted the existing backup language as administrative rather than clinical, which could affect classification decisions. DIS job descriptions already specify phlebotomy and field administration of STI treatment; staff recommended adding equivalent clarity to the director’s posting so the director’s backup clinical duties are explicit.
Kelly also raised the question of whether the educational requirement should be adjusted — the department had discussed whether an LPN might meet clinical needs while a management skillset could be sought through hiring practice and interviews. PAC members emphasized that the director role requires both clinical and managerial skills and urged care in drafting the language. Staff noted two applicants had responded to the initial posting but did not meet current requirements.
Council Member Kate Wilts moved that PAC update the Health Services Director job description to add nursing duties “that include but are not limited to phlebotomy,” update the educational requirement to reflect today’s conversation and notify the health board of the department’s request to move the position to 40 hours per week. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously. Staff said they will bring the revised language first to the health board and then to PAC before sending it to the County Council.
PAC members also asked the health department and their council liaisons to revisit Disease Intervention Specialist classifications in a separate follow-up, noting DIS work spans field phlebotomy, treatment and outreach and may merit further review depending on grant changes or scope expansion.
