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Job Description
CAREER DESCRIPTION
Emergency Medical Services Medical Director
(Senior Medical Director)
Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
The deadline to apply for this recruitment will close on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at 11:59 PM (PST). Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately.
This recruitment will establish an open eligible list and will be used to fill current and future Senior Medical Director vacancies within the Health Care Agency. This eligible list may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications throughout the County of Orange.
HEALTH CARE AGENCY
The County of Orange , Health Care Agency (HCA ) is a dynamic organization dedicated to creating and supporting an environment that promotes the achievement of optimal individual, family and community health. Under the leadership of the Agency Director, a dynamic executive team with an organizational structure comprised of five (5) service areas - Administrative Services, Behavioral Health Services, Correctional Health Services, Specialized Medical Services and Public Health Services - is committed to meeting the health needs of the diverse Orange County community.
THE DEPARTMENT
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) mission is to plan, coordinate and oversee the highest quality prehospital and emergency medical care in response to individual needs and community crisis. Mutual cooperation, patient advocacy, advanced medical technology, electronic documentation and evidence-based data are the major strengths of the EMS Division.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The County of Orange , Health Care Agenc y is seeking a dynamic physician leader to serve as the Emergency Medical Services Medical Director within the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Division. The position ensures medical accountability throughout the EMS system, developing and enforcing EMS related policy decisions, identifying EMS medical strategies, setting program priorities, and leading professional staff during emergency and disaster related situations. The position evaluates overall EMS system performance and identifies resource needs and significant operational problems. Develops and implements associated response, contingency and recovery plans to address the identified system challenges.
The position will work extended shifts, weekends, holidays, and nights, during activations of the Agency Operations Center or the Orange County Emergency Operations Center. This position will share both primary and on-call medical back-up services while also supervising medical professionals assigned to EMS. This position requires travel and involves representing the County of Orange on regional and statewide EMS stakeholder committees and boards.
The position will also be responsible for the specific EMS system components that include but are not limited to:
Paramedic/Advanced Life Support Education and Curriculum Development- Primary liaison with Saddleback College and training program
- First Responder/Law Enforcement/Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs)
- Clinical decision-making and performance improvement
- Procedures scope of practice, investigations and discipline
- Focused cross sectional and longitudinal Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) studies on subjects related to individual occurrences, high-risk low-frequency interventions, system design and specialty programs (e.g., trauma data, airway management data, stroke and ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) data, medication utilization data, transcutaneous pacing, fall data, and 12-lead Electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretive algorithm data
- Perform data analysis of specialty care and pre-hospital field care (Trauma, Cardiac, Stroke, Pediatric, Coroner reports, Field Deaths) to determine performance, monitor trends, validate existing protocols, identify areas of concern and establish interventions to improve performance
- Data analysis preceding new systems implementation (e.g., derivation and validation studies on acute stroke triage leading to acute stroke system implementation and field trauma triage outcomes study)
- Participate in clinical patient management strategies and clinical system management with Base Hospital Coordinators and Physicians
- Develop policies and procedures, and oversee initial implementation of Community Paramedicine, Tactical Medicine, ALS/Hospice, Regional EMS/Disaster planning for Burn, Trauma, and Disaster (e.g., left ventricular assist device, EMS education and treatment guidelines)
- Must maintain a valid Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) registration to allow for re-supply of field paramedic provider medications and supplies
- Develop alternative pharmacological strategies during drug shortages
- Contribute to medical disaster and multi-casualty incident planning and management through plan reviews, meetings, and exercises based upon disaster response experience
- Develop and implement Mass Casualty Incident (MCI), Disaster, Surge planning and training in coordination with the Health Disaster Planning subdivision of EMS
- Participate in EMS Department Operations Center and Agency Operations Center Exercises
- Primary liaison with County of Orange Health Officer to provide medical operational input related to emergencies and disaster events
- Contribute to public health emergency planning and terrorism countermeasure planning through plan reviews, meetings and exercises (e.g., Point of Dispensing and Strategic National Stockpile planning and exercise, medical shelter, alternate care site, field treatment site and functional needs access planning, mechanical ventilator triage, hospital-based emergency decontamination, field detection systems for biological agents, BioWatch, US Postal Service, Biohazard Detection System)
- Internal: Base Hospital Coordinators, Education and Training, Quality Assurance Board, Disaster Advisory, Drug and Equipment Advisory Group, Medical Advisory Committee
- External: Emergency Medical Directors Association of California (EMDAC), Fire Chiefs EMS, Regional Trauma Coordinating Committee, State Trauma Advisory, Orange County Intelligence Assessment Center OCIAC) (w/ security clearance) on matters involving chemical, radiological, nuclear, toxicological & pharmacological threats
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & CORE COMPETENCIES
The ideal candidate will possess a valid Physician's and Surgeon's License issued by the Medical Board of California or a Physician's and Surgeon's License issued by the Osteopathic Medical Board of California.
Additionally, the candidate will have at least four (4) or more years of professional experience in an EMS System and in Disaster Medical Services within a metropolitan area.
A valid Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) certificate for Controlled Substances Level II, III, IV is required.
In addition, the ideal candidate will possess the knowledge, skills and abilities that demonstrate the following competencies:
Professional & Technical Knowledge and Expertise
• California Health Safety Codes and Regulations governing EMS, pre-hospital care policies and procedures
• Orange County EMS agency purpose, goal, responsibilities, practices and procedures
• EMS Systems and related health care systems
• Trauma Center operations specifically at levels 1 and 2
• Community or local resources and providers of emergency service and assistance programs
• Electronic Health Record (EHR) and/or electronic pre-hospital care report system (e.g., ePCR software) medical/health data standards and computer aided dispatch (CAD) systems
• Federal and state privacy and security statutes and regulations
• Disaster medical response, mitigation, planning, and recovery protocols
• Current technology and trends in the profession
• Conducting complex EMS related research and analysis
• Administering continuous quality improvement processes
• Preparing and writing comprehensive EMS related reports, statistical analysis, and evaluations
• Using Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook proficiently
Leadership & Management
• Leading and managing professional staff as a forward-focused team, fostering a culture of accountability and collaboration while inspiring, motivating, and empowering them to achieve EMS goals
• Promoting teamwork by cultivating a supportive environment that empowers both individuals and teams
• Supervising and evaluating staff work performance to ensure alignment with organizational goals
Relationship Building & Collaboration | Communication
• Establishing and maintaining and sustaining positive, professional, and diplomatic working relationships with a broad range of public and private organizations, including the State and local EMSA partners, city and county departments, and other agencies by promoting cooperation, building trust, and supporting shared commitment to achieving EMS goals
• Preparing and delivering clear, well-organized, and professional written and verbal communications, reports, and related material
• Developing and presenting effective presentations to public agencies and healthcare professionals
Adaptability
• Ability to make timely, sound medical and operational decisions within Orange County EMS system
• Exercising strong judgment in high-pressure situations, ensuring decisions aligned with established protocols and public safety priorities
• Adapting effectively to a wide range of complex and rapidly evolving EMS situations
• Maintaining composure and decisiveness while navigating critical incidents and dynamic operational environments
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Possession of a valid California Driver's license, Class C or higher will be required at time of appointment.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Please click here for the minimum qualifications for Senior Medical Director as well as the physical & mental requirements and the environmental conditions.
RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Application Screening | (Refer/Non-Refer)
Applications and supplemental responses will be screened for qualifications that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those applicants that meet the qualifications listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step.
Structured Oral Interview | SOI (Weighted 100%)
Applicants will be interviewed and rated by a panel of Subject Matter Experts. Each applicant’s rating will be based on responses to a series of structured questions designed to elicit the applicant’s qualifications for the job.
Eligible List
Once the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.
Veterans Employment Preference
The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click here (Download PDF reader) to review the policy.
Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. Candidates will be notified via e-mail of any changes in the selection procedure.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
EMAIL NOTIFICATION:
Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account.
NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply.
Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com .
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Click here for additional Frequently Asked Questions.
For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Liza Butler a t (714) 834-2069 or ebutler@ochca.com
EEO INFORMATION
Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.
Administrative Management *
In addition to the County's standard suite of benefits -- such as a variety of health plan options, sick and vacation time and paid holidays -- we also offer an excellent array of benefits such as:
- Retirement: Benefits are provided through the Orange County Employees' Retirement System (OCERS). Please go to the following link to find out more about Defined Benefit Pensions and OCERS Plan Types/Benefits.
http://www.ocers.org/active-member-information. - Paid Leave: Twelve holidays per year plus sick and vacation time
- Health & Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts
- Dental Insurance: County pays 100% of employee and dependent premiums
- Paid Life Insurance: $100,000 life insurance policy
- Paid Accidental & Death and Dismemberment Insurance: $100,000 AD&D insurance policy
- Paid Short & Long Term Disability insurance programs
- 457 Defined Contribution Program
*Effective 07/01/20, management employees who are sworn Public Safety Managers receive health insurance benefits through the AOCDS Medical Benefit Plans.
Click here for information about benefits offered to County of Orange employees.
Closing Date/Time: 4/29/2026 11:59 PM Pacific -
ABOUT THE COMPANY
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County of Orange
Show moreDiscover a Fulfilling Career at the County of Orange
With a population of over 3 million residents and 34 cities, Orange County is a thriving community known for its beautiful beaches, diverse culture, and strong economy. As the third-largest employer in the county, the County of Orange offers over 18,000 employees the opportunity to make a difference in their community and build a fulfilling career in public service.
As a County of Orange employee, you will have the chance to work in a variety of departments, each providing vital services to our community. From law enforcement and healthcare to public works and environmental protection, there is a wide range of career paths to explore. And with opportunities for advancement and professional growth, you can build a long and rewarding career with us.
As a top employer in the region, the County of Orange is committed to providing our employees with excellent benefits, including a competitive salary, flexible work schedules, and outstanding healthcare coverage. We also offer opportunities for career development and training, ensuring that our employees have the skills and knowledge they need to succeed.
Whether you're just starting your career or looking for a new challenge, the County of Orange is a great place to work. With a supportive and collaborative work environment, a commitment to excellence, and opportunities for growth and advancement, we invite you to join our team and make a difference in your community.
Community Impact:
Working for the County of Orange means you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in your community. Whether you're providing critical services to residents, protecting the environment, or maintaining public safety, your work will make a difference in the lives of those around you.
Employee Wellness:
At the County of Orange, we prioritize our employees' well-being. We offer telecommuting options, generous health benefits, and wellness programs to promote work-life balance. We believe that by taking care of our employee’s health and well-being, we can help them excel in their careers while still enjoying their personal lives and taking care of their families.
Innovation:
The County of Orange is committed to embracing new technologies and innovative approaches to service delivery. We encourage our employees to think creatively and find ways to improve our processes and systems. If you're someone who loves to problem-solve and think outside the box, you'll find a supportive and dynamic environment here.
Collaboration:
Collaboration is key to our success at the County of Orange. We value teamwork, communication, and mutual support, and we work together across departments and functions to achieve our goals. If you're someone who enjoys collaborating with others and building strong relationships, you'll find a welcoming and inclusive community here.
Equality:
At the County of Orange, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees feel valued and respected. Our Equity Policy reflects this commitment and guides our efforts to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion in everything we do.
Career Advancement:
The County of Orange is dedicated to helping our employees grow and advance in their careers. We offer a variety of training and development opportunities to help our employees reach their full potential. If you're looking for a place to build a long and fulfilling career, the County of Orange is an excellent choice.
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