Chief Medical Officer - Cayman Islands Government

Step Forward as the Chief Medical Officer of the Cayman Islands: Shape Policy, Public Health and Champion Transparency. Make a significant impact in the health care system for the nation.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title:                  Chief Medical Officer (CMO)    

Grade:                       C

Jobholder:               

Reports to (title):     Chief Officer

Portfolio/Ministry:  Ministry of Health

 1.    JOB PURPOSE

To act as Chief Policy Advisor to Government on health care matters and provide expert advice for a variety of Government functions.

To ensure the appropriate mechanisms are in place to monitor the health of the population and the quality of health care services and professionals.

To assume leadership/advocacy role in national public health matters and citizen engagement in public health, provide leadership in developing and enforcing clinical standards, and provide expert clinical advice for a variety of Government functions.

The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) will operate with a high degree of independence in all clinical and public health matters. The CMO is expected to provide unbiased medical guidance and to communicate openly and transparently with the public, media, and stakeholders regarding health-related issues

This role requires the ability to address public health concerns without hindrance or undue influence. The CMO will advocate for evidence-based practices and prioritize the health and well-being of the community, ensuring that all public communications reflect the government’s commitment to integrity and transparency.

 2.    DIMENSIONS

The CMO is a senior advocate for public health across the organizations and for the population of the Cayman Islands. The CMO will contribute to the governance of the Ministry of Health across all domains of public health, and assist the Ministry in ensuring that a high standard of public health services is provided within the Cayman Islands, in accordance with international best practice.

The post holder liaises with various sections of the health services and with external agencies locally, regionally and internationally, such as Caribbean Public Health Agency, Pan American Health Organization and Public Health England, on relevant health issues. Here the CMO is required to communicate on behalf of the Government, with appropriate consultations with the Chief Officer.

The post holder provides extensive policy advice on the healthcare system to the Ministry in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

The CMO is responsible for all statutory functions as required by the provisions of the law (carries out the duties and responsibilities as set out under the Prison Rules 1999 Regulations, Prisons Act (formerly Imprisonment Law 1975), Births and Deaths Registration Act, Mental Health Act & Regulations 2013, Pharmacy Act, Misuse of Drugs Act, Public Service Pensions Act, Health Insurance Act and Regulations, Health Services Fees & Charges 2002 Regulations, Health Practice Act and Regulations, Public Health Act, Parliamentary Pensions Act and the Public Service Management Act). The post holder is the focal point for International Health Regulations (IHR) and the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).

The post holder manages the referral process for advanced (uninsured and underinsured) patients, and approves all requests for out of network referrals for Cayman Islands National Insurance Company (CINICO). This is approximately 10,000 referrals per year.

The post holder is a standing member of the Governor’s Advisory Committee of the Prerogative of Mercy and provide clinical guidance on relevant representations.

Represents the Chief Officer on Boards and Committees from time to time.

No formal budgetary authority however the post holder will sign off on care packages.

PRINCIPAL LAWS GOVERNING THE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER

•  Births and Deaths Registration Act (2021 Revision)
• Health Insurance Act (2021 Revision)
• Health Insurance Regulations (2017 Revision)
• Health Practice Act (2021 Revision)
• Health Practice Regulations (2021 Revision)
• Immigration Act (2021 Revision)
• Prisons Act (formerly Imprisonment Law) (2021 Revision)
• Mental Health Act (2021 Revision)
• Mental Health Regulations (2013 Revision)
• Misuse of Drugs Act (2017 Revision)
• Pharmacy Act (2024)
• Prison Rules 1999 Regulations
• Public Health Act (2021 Revision)
• Public Service Pensions Act (2021 Revision)
• Parliamentary Pensions Act (2016 Revision)
• Public Service Management Act (2018 Revision)

 4.    ORGANISATIONAL CHART - PLEASE SEE JOB DESCRIPTION ONLINE 

  5.    BACKGROUND INFORMATION

 The Ministry is primarily concerned with the Health and Wellness outcomes desired by Government, and delivers interventions to achieve these. The core ministry team’s main responsibilities are:

      i.        provision of policy advice and support to the Ministry and Cabinet; and

     ii.        accountability for the output and ownership performance of the Ministry, including its departments and units.

 The Ministry is primarily concerned with the Health & Wellness outcomes desired by Government, and delivers interventions to achieve these. The core ministry team’s main responsibilities are:

      i.        provision of policy advice and support to the Ministry and Cabinet; and

     ii.        accountability for the output and ownership performance of the Ministry, including its departments and units.

The Ministry is responsible for a number of departments, units and statutory authorities, and provides them with a wide range of direction (policy) and assistance. These entities include: Department of Health Regulatory Services; Mosquito Research & Control Unit;

In addition, the CMO works closely with other Health and Wellness aligned departments including the Department of Environmental Health; Department of Counselling Services; Health Services Authority; and the Poinciana: Rehabilitation Centre.

The Ministry is responsible for paying the cost of medical treatment at local or overseas institutions for government entitled personnel, and the CMO is authorized by the Chief Officer to incur expenses for medical treatment.

The post holder will be required to play a principal role in forward planning and strategy development; managing resources appropriately to meet the demands of a challenging legislative and policy work plan.

The post holder must be able to remain politically neutral in his/her work and be able to serve any elected Minister/Government in a manner that ensures that he/she maintains the confidence of the Minister/Government.

 6.    PERSON SPECIFICATION

 7. ASSIGNMENT AND PLANNING OF WORK

The work of the Ministry is determined primarily by legislative requirements, the priorities of the Minister, the operational direction of the Chief Officer and the requirements of the Ministry’s other internal and external customers.

The planning of work is greatly affected by the day-to-day requirements of the Ministry and the health demands of the population.

The post holder periodically needs to plan for attendance at international meetings and providing reports to the Ministry.

8. SUPERVISION OF OTHERS

The post holder is responsible for direct supervision of the Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO), the Project Manager, and the National Epidemiologist, as well as Policy Support Officers who provide research for medical policy.

 9. OTHER WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

In addition to reporting directly to the Chief Officer, other key working relationships are:

• The Minister for Health
• Medical Officer of Health
• Superintendent of Health Insurance
• CEO, Cayman Islands National Insurance Company (CINICO)
• CEO, Health Services Authority (HSA)
• Senior/policy staff within the Ministry of Health
• The Governor, the Premier and other Government Ministries and Portfolios as required
• Professional leaders in the health sector, NGOs, leaders in closely related sectors and the wider public

 10.    DECISION MAKING AUTHORITY AND CONTROLS

The post holder has immediate responsibility, in consultation with the Chief Officer of the Ministry of Health, to sign letters of guarantee for patients sent overseas.

To work within the parameters of the legislative framework for Health and other relevant laws and regulations; however, the Chief Medical Officer has to occasionally exercise some discretionary powers.

Significant input and high degree of judgment and diplomacy based on clinical experience/expertise is required in guiding decisions with partners across government

 11.    PROBLEMS/KEY FEATURES

The Chief Medical Officer is required to make difficult decisions regarding tertiary care of patients, often in the absence of clear guidelines and policies.

The Chief Medical Officer function encompasses an extensive range of activities and wide legal framework within which he/she operates.   

The Chief Medical Officer will be required to exercise his/her statutory functions, sometimes in emergency and time pressing circumstances, using best judgment in matters affecting national health matters. This aspect may cause a high degree of stress and may later lead to public scrutiny, which the Chief Medical Officer will be required to address.

12.    WORKING CONDITIONS

Standard office conditions apply. However, the post holder must be available on-call 7 days per week on a 24-hour basis to authorize out of network coverage for CINICO patients and respond to emergency health-related issues.

Required to do Regional and International duty travel, and routine domestic travel as necessary.