Deputy Chief Medical Officer - Cayman Islands Government

Step into impactful leadership as Deputy Chief Medical Officer-collaborate and drive public health excellence, and shape strategic initiatives that the standards of clinical care and population health.

JOB DESCRIPTION

 Job Title:                  Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO)             

Grade:                       E

Reports to (title):     Chief Medical Officer (CMO)

Portfolio/Ministry:  Ministry of Health

1. 1.    JOB PURPOSE

To act in a supporting and development role to the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) to Government on health care matters and provide expert advice for a variety of Government functions.

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

To support the CMO on leadership/advocacy role in national public health matters and citizen engagement in public health, support the development and enforcement of clinical standards, and provide expert clinical advice for a variety of Government functions.

The Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO) will operate with some degree of independence in clinical and public health matters under the guidance of the CMO. The DCMO 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 DCMO will develop evidence-based policies, 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.

The DCMO position is a preparatory role designed as part of succession planning for the CMO post. As such, the role includes targeted training and development opportunities to equip the post holder with the necessary skills and experience for future advancement.

 2.    DIMENSIONS

The CMO and DCMO advocate for public health across the organizations and for the population of the Cayman Islands. The DCMO 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, CARICOM, Pan American Health Organization, World Health Organization (WHO), and UK HSA, on relevant health issues. Here the DCMO is required to communicate on behalf of the Government, when directed to do so, with appropriate consultations with the Chief Medical Officer.

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

The DCMO under the guidance of the CMO will follow 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 may be designated from time to time to complete the referral process for advanced (uninsured and underinsured) patients, and may be designated to approve all requests for out of network referrals for Cayman Islands National Insurance Company (CINICO). This is approximately 10,000 referrals per year. Both will be under the guidance of the CMO.

The post holder represents the Chief Officer on Boards and Committees from time to time.

No formal budgetary authority however the post holder may be required from time to time to sign off on care packages under the guidance of the CMO.

The post holder will supervise the Project Manager.

This role will be required to act as Chief Medical Officer from time to time.

 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.    ORGANISATION CHART - SEE JOB DESCRIPTION

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 the Department of Health Regulatory Services and the Mosquito Research & Control Unit;

In addition, the DCMO 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 post holder will be required to play a supporting role in forward planning and strategy development; managing resources appropriately to meet the demands of a challenging legislative and policy work plan. In addition, this role is expected to carry out stretching assignments as part of their development.

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 Project Manager, and may be required from time to time to act as the Chief Medical Officer – thereby supervising the CMO entire team.

9. OTHER WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

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

• Chief Medical Officer, Chief Nursing Officer, National Epidemiologist
• 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

1. 10.    DECISION MAKING AUTHORITY AND CONTROLS

The post holder has immediate responsibility, in consultation with the Chief Medical 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 Deputy Chief Medical Officer has to occasionally exercise some discretionary powers.

1. 11.    PROBLEMS/KEY FEATURES

The Deputy Chief Medical Officer is required to make difficult decisions regarding tertiary care of patients, often in the absence of clear guidelines and policies. While the CMO is available to provide guidance, the developmental aspects of this role will include increasing responsibility to make those decisions unaided.

The Deputy 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.

1. 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 travel for duty regionally and  internationally, and routine domestic travel as necessary.