Health Care Privacy and Security Officer

Position Information

The Department of Health Services (DHS) seeks an experienced Privacy and Security Officer with a high level of integrity to join their team!

Starting salary up to $76.08/hour ($158,788/year) and a competitive total compensation package!*

About the Position:

The Health Care Privacy and Security Officer is an integral position that will direct and administer DHS's comprehensive Health Care Privacy, Security, and Records Management Program to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. In addition, they will:

• Serve as a subject-matter expert on state and federal privacy and security laws, advise leadership, managers, and staff on complex privacy and security issues
• Oversee program monitoring, auditing, and risk assessment activities, in order to mitigate vulnerabilities and ensure program compliance
• Manage and update county-wide policies and procedures related to the security, use, access, disclosure, and integrity of protected health information
• Provide privacy and security related training to managers and staff
• Provide technical assistance to HIPAA-regulated subcontractors
• Investigate and respond to privacy and security incidents, including complaints regarding health information privacy violations
• Administer privacy and security risk management strategies, including security risk assessments and process evaluations
• Directly supervise staff members in the Privacy and Security unit

As the ideal candidate to join the team, you will bring your comprehensive knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to the privacy and security of health information. In addition, you will possess many of the following:

• Proficiency in the elements of an effective privacy compliance program, with demonstrated experience in health care compliance
• Ability to lead a diverse team and motivate and train your staff to be successful in their roles
• Significant experience developing, implementing, and updating policies and/or procedures related to the privacy and security of protected health information
• Professional-level analytical skills to research, interpret, and implement regulatory mandates
• Understanding of risk management models and the ability to utilize data-driven insights for decision-making
• Advanced proficiency in writing, communication, collaboration, and problem-solving
• High integrity and strong moral principles with a commitment to ethical conduct
• Ability to gain trust and "buy-in" from stakeholders to cultivate a culture of information protection
• Strong skills in conflict resolution, resilience, and confidence in managing challenging situations

What We Offer

Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better our communities. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits* including:

• Hybrid Telework - A schedule that meets the needs of our staff, department operations, and the communities we serve may be available depending on the assignment
• Salary Advancement - A salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
• Paid Time Off - Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
• County Paid Health Premium Contributions - 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
• Staff Development/Wellness Pay - Annual benefit allowances of up to $2,000 and ongoing education/training opportunities
• Post-Retirement Health Reimbursement Arrangement - County contributions to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits
• Retirement - A pension fully integrated with Social Security
• Paid Parental Leave - May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of County employment
• Student Loan Debt Relief - County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education

*Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found in the Salary Resolution (SalRes) and our Employee Benefits Directory .

This recruitment is being conducted to fill a Health Care Privacy and Security Officer position in the Department of Health Services. This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help (temporary) positions as they occur during the active status of the list. Qualified County employees who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment. The Civil Service title of this position is Health Care Compliance/Privacy and Security Officer.

APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience: Any combination of education, training, and experience which would likely provide for the possession of stated knowledge and abilities. Normally this would include, significant academic course work in business/public administration, health administration, systems analysis, finance, economics, or a closely related field, and three years of professional level experience in a health care setting that included significant responsibility in any of the following areas: regulatory compliance or privacy, quality assurance and control, legal analysis of health care administration, and/or fiscal operations; including at least one year of supervisory experience. A Bachelor's or Master's degree in any of the above fields is highly desired.

License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required, depending upon assignment, to perform the essential job functions of the position.

Certificate: The position designated as the Privacy and Security Officer must possess or obtain within eighteen (18) months of appointment a health care privacy compliance certificate from a certified organization (e.g. Certified Information Privacy Professional, Certified in Healthcare Privacy and Security, Registered Health Information Administrator), and maintain certification while in the job classification. The position designated as the Health Care Compliance Officer must possess or obtain within eighteen (18) months of appointment a healthcare compliance certificate from a certified association (e.g. Certified in Healthcare Compliance) and maintain certification while in the job classification.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Considerable knowledge of: health care operations; federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to health care providers such as: Medicare and Medi-Cal, Sarbanes Oxley requirements; health information privacy laws, including those related to access, release of information, and release control technologies (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (as amended)); Office of Inspector General's compliance program, government compliance; regulatory audits; electronic security issues and technologies.

Knowledge of: principles and practices of general management and public administration, program management, and supervision; quality improvement principles; methods of legal and factual research; techniques of systems analysis; principles and practices of project planning, monitoring and evaluation; effective interviewing and investigation techniques; English grammar, usage, and syntax; computer software including word processing, spreadsheet and database programs; health care programs provided by the County.

Ability to: research, understand, interpret and apply health care rules, regulations, and ordinances and federal, state, and local legislation pertaining to health care and/or health information privacy; analyze problems and/or complex data, draw conclusions, explain implications, and make sound recommendations; plan, organize, and direct comprehensive programs including developing and implementing short and long-range project goals and objectives; plan organize, delegate, and prioritize work of self and others in order to meet deadlines; establish performance standards and evaluate performance; communicate effectively both verbally and in writing including the ability to draft complex documents and reports; effectively explain rules, regulations, and procedures; gain cooperation and compliance from staff; represent the County in an effective and professional manner and establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, other departments and agencies, boards and commissions, public officials, community groups and others contacted in the course of work; interview effectively; maintain confidentiality.

Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying

• Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
• You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
• You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
• Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.

Please visit Getting a Job with the County of Sonoma to review more detailed information about the hiring process, including the application process, examination steps, and department selection process.

APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.

Responses to supplemental questions will be used in assessing minimum qualifications. Please provide specific and detailed responses of a reasonable length to allow for a thorough assessment of your qualifications. Responses that state, "See Resume" or "See Application" may be considered insufficient.

The selection procedure will consist of the following examination:

An Application & Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination(weight 100%). Each application and supplemental questionnaire will be thoroughly evaluated for satisfaction of minimum qualifications and relevance of educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities that relate to this position. Candidates possessing the most appropriate job-related qualifications will be placed on an employment list and referred to the department for selection interviews.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

A background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to applicants.

Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications are accepted online at www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org . Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job bulletin must be RECEIVED by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Continuous recruitments may close without notice at any time that a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.

The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.

HR Analyst: SZ
HR Technician: RR

IMPORTANT NOTE: Benefits described herein do not apply to Extra Help positions.

COUNTY OF SONOMA BENEFITS: MANAGEMENT*

These are some of the excellent benefits the County offers:

Paid Time Off :Competitive vacation accrual and sick leave accruals; additional management leave annually; 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year; and may be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment.

Health Plan :Choose from nine health plans (three HMOs, three deductible HMOs, and three HSA-qualifying plans) with a generousCounty contribution to the premium (the contribution amount varies by bargaining unit). For more information, please see the appropriate MOU.

Retirement :Fully integrated with Social Security.For more information regarding eligibility, retirement contributions, and reciprocity with prior public service, please visit https://scretire.org/active-/-deferred/when-you-are-hired .

IRS 457 Plan :Pre-tax employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum.

Retiree Medical :County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits.

Student Loan Debt Relief :County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education.

Plus excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, professional development, and more.

For answers to specific questions regarding the employment process and more details about benefits or retirement, please contact Human Resources at (707) 565-2331.Additional details about benefit and compensation packages can be found in the MOUs located at https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/human-resources/divisions-and-units/employee-relations/labor-agreements-and-salary-resolution . For specific information about health and welfare benefits including plan options, coverage, and premium amounts go to https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/human-resources or, contact the Human Resources' Risk Management-Benefits Office at benefits@sonoma-county.org or (707) 565-2900.

*IMPORTANT NOTES: Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice.

Closing Date/Time: Continuous

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• County of Sonoma

• 707-565-8059

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