Exam Bulletin - Chief Physician and Surgeon, Correctional Facility

California Correctional Health Care Services

Exam Code: EX-3613

Examination Plans Included:

  • CHIEF PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON, CORRECTIONAL FACILITY - Open

Final Filing Date: Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

Bulletin Updates

  • A Recompete period has been changed on an Exam Plan.
  • Any editable section on the Exam Bulletin has been updated.

Classification Details

CHIEF PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON, CORRECTIONAL FACILITY: $24,905.00 - $26,421.00 (P) per Month *1
CHIEF PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON, CORRECTIONAL FACILITY: $26,290.00 - $27,888.00 (Q) per Month *2
CHIEF PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON, CORRECTIONAL FACILITY: $27,674.00 - $29,359.00 (R) per Month *3
*1: Non-Board Certified. *2: Lifetime Board Certified. *3: Time-Limited Board Certified.

View the CHIEF PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON, CORRECTIONAL FACILITY classification specification.

Application Instructions

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

Who Should Apply:

The information below will help you determine which classification(s) is(are) appropriate for you. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as stated on this bulletin to compete in this examination.

Open and Open, Non-Promotional Examination(s):

  • CHIEF PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON, CORRECTIONAL FACILITY - Open

For all Classifications, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 3 months:

Exam Code(s):

    3613

How To Apply:

Submit an Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) to apply for this examination.

Electronic applications can be submitted through your account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov.

Special Testing Arrangements:

If you require assistance or alternative testing arrangements due to a disability, indicate on your application that you need reasonable accommodation. You will be contacted by a representative of the testing department to make the necessary arrangements. If you have not been contacted by the time you receive notification of testing, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

If you are unable to submit your application or complete the test due to a disability, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

Minimum Qualifications

All applicants must meet the education and/or experience requirements as stated on this exam bulletin to be accepted to the examination.

Unless otherwise stated in the Minimum Qualifications, qualifying experience may be combined on a proportionate basis if the requirements stated below include more than one pattern and are distinguished as "Either" 1, "or" 2, "or" 3, etc. For example, applicants possessing qualifying experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 1 and additional experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 2 may be accepted to an examination as meeting 100% of the overall experience requirement.

00109267 - CHIEF PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON, CORRECTIONAL FACILITY

Possession of the legal requirements for the practice of medicine in California as determined by the Medical Board of California or the California Board of Osteopathic Examiners. (Applicants who are in the process of securing approval of their qualifications by the Medical Board of California or the Board of Osteopathic Examiners will be admitted to the examination, but the Board to which application is made must determine that all legal requirements have been met before candidates will be eligible for appointment.).  And

Possession of a valid certificate issued by an American Medical Specialty Board or an American Osteopathic Board as a specialist in one of the fields of medicine, or eligibility for examination for such a certificate as evidence by a written statement from the Secretary of an American Medical Specialty Board or an American Osteopathic Board.  (Applicants who are in the process of establishing specialty board eligibility will be admitted to the examination, but the required verification must be submitted before appointment.)

Applicants possessing the required license/certificate at the time of application must show the number, title, and expiration date on their Examination Application (Std. Form 678).

Special Personal Characteristics:  Empathetic understanding of patients of a State correctional facility; willingness to work in a State correctional facility; alertness; keenness of observation; tact; patience; emotional stability; and demonstrated leadership ability.

Special Physical Characteristics:  Persons appointed to this position must be reasonably expected to have and maintain sufficient strength, agility, and endurance to perform during stressful (physical, mental, and emotional) situations encountered on the job without compromising their health and well-being or that of their fellow employees or that of incarcerated patients.

Assignments may include sole responsibility for the supervision of incarcerated patients and/or the protection of personal and real property.

State Civil Service Out of Class Experience:  A completion of an “out-of-class (OOC) assignment memorandum”, dated within one year of assignment completion, is required to use OOC experience to meet the minimum qualifications for examination purposes.  Employees may obtain this documentation from their Classification and Pay Analyst or institutional Personnel Liaison.  OOC experience without the required documentation cannot be considered for examination purposes.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and the California Correctional Health Care Services (CCHCS) are committed to building an inclusive and culturally diverse workplace. We are determined to attract and hire more candidates from diverse communities and empower all employees from a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and personal experiences. We are proud to foster inclusion and drive collaborative efforts to increase representation at all levels of the Department.

CDCR/CCHCS values all team members.  We work cooperatively to provide the highest level of health care possible to a diverse correctional population, which includes medical, dental, nursing, mental health, and pharmacy.  We encourage creativity and ingenuity while treating others fairly, honestly, and with respect, all of which are critical to the success of the CDCR/CCHCS mission.

Commitment to CA Model: CDCR and CCHCS are proud to partner on the California Model which will transform the correctional landscape for our employees and the incarcerated. The California Model is a systemwide change that leverages national and international best practices to address longstanding challenges related to incarceration and institution working conditions, creating a safe, professional, and satisfying workplace for staff as well as rehabilitation for the incarcerated. Additionally, the California Model improves success of the decarcerated through robust re-entry efforts back into the community.



Position Description

00109267 - CHIEF PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON, CORRECTIONAL FACILITY

A Chief Physician and Surgeon, Correctional Facility, under general direction, serves as a chief of service in charge of a major general medical and surgical subdivision in a large State correctional facility; supervises physicians and other professional personnel giving medical and psychiatric care to patients; gives medical services to such patients; assists in the coordination of activities associated with nursing, social work, rehabilitation therapy, and other ancillary services; advises staff, either individually or by presiding at hospital ward, diagnostic, and clinical conferences, on appropriate treatment techniques for specific cases; makes regular hospital ward rounds, special teaching rounds, and inspection tours to observe professional services given and the enforcement of hospital regulations; examines and treats patients requiring more difficult forms of medical treatment; serves as a consultant to staff members on unusual or difficult medical problems; presents recommendations to the chief medical officer on such matters as hospital policy, new forms of treatment, the need for equipment and facilities and personnel and budgeting; trains and evaluates the performance of personnel and takes or recommends appropriate action; assigns medical officers to shifts and posts including medical officer-of-the-day and weekend duty; plans and reviews the instruction of assigned residents, interns, and other students; informs the chief medical officer on such matters as new or improved techniques developed by the staff or by other medical personnel, trends in the incidence of diseases, and needs for new or improved medical service; maintains order and supervises the conduct of persons committed to the California Department of Corrections; prevents escapes and injuries by these persons to themselves, others or to property; maintains security of working areas and work materials; inspects premises and searches incarcerated patients for contraband, such as weapons or illegal drugs.

Employees in this class may be employed in a State hospital providing medical care. Chief Physicians and Surgeons serve in a supervisory capacity in charge of major medical subdivisions of a hospital, such as a number of hospital departments engaged in various specialized fields of medicine, or groups of hospital wards organized on the basis of specialization in type of treatment, or other classification of patients. The supervisory and specialized teaching functions distinguish it from the lower level class of Physician and Surgeon, Correctional Facility.

 

General direction is given Chief Physicians and Surgeons by the chief medical officer who directs all medical and psychiatric clinical services of the institution.

Positions exist statewide. 

Examination Information

This examination consists of the following component(s):

Component OrderComponent TypeComponent DuePercentage of Final Score
1Online ExamContinuous100%

A final score of 70% must be attained to be placed on the eligible list.

In addition to evaluating the applicant's relative knowledge, skill and ability as demonstrated by quality and breadth of education/experience, emphasis in each test component will be on measuring competitively, relative to job demands, each applicant's:

Knowledge of:

  1. Principles and methods of general medicine and surgery and skill in their application;
  2. Principles of psychiatry and neurology;
  3. Principles and applications of psychiatric social work, physical therapy, the various rehabilitative therapies, and other ancillary medical services;
  4. Current developments and trends in general medicine, surgery, and psychiatry, including developmental disabilities;
  5. Principles and practices of hospital administration and personnel management;
  6. Principles and practices of medical research;
  7. Principles and methods of training medical staff;
  8. The Department’s Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Program objectives;
  9. A manager’s role in the EEO Program and the processes available to meet EEO objectives.
Ability to:
  1. Direct and coordinate complex and varied activities in the field of general medicine and surgery;
  2. Coordinate and participate in psychiatric and medical research;
  3. Analyze situations accurately and take effective action;
  4. Effectively contribute to the Department’s EEO objectives.

Eligible List Information

A Departmental Open eligible list for the CHIEF PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON, CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Classification will be established for:

  • California Correctional Health Care Services

The names of successful competitors will be merged onto the eligible list(s) in order of final score regardless of test date. Eligibility expires 12 months after it is established. Applicants must then retake the examination to reestablish eligibility.

Resulting Eligibility List(s) will be used to fill vacancies throughout the State of California.

Veterans' Preference will be granted for this examination. Veterans' Preference is an assistance program for veterans, veteran widows and widowers, and spouses of 100% disabled veterans who seek employment with the state. Veterans' Preference is also extended to currently serving military members nearing their retirement or separation date.

You are not eligible for Veteran's Preference if you are:

  • A veteran who has been dishonorably discharged or released.
  • A veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran who currently has permanent civil service status. (Permanent civil service status is the status of an employee who is lawfully retained in his/her position after completion of the applicable probationary period. This does not include limited term).

Veterans' Preference is codified in Government Code Sections 18973 – 18979.

Veteran status is verified by the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR). Directions to apply for Veterans' Preference are on the Veterans' Preference Application (Std. Form 1093), which is available at www.CalCareers.ca.gov, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Career Credits are not granted for examination(s) administered on an Open basis or a Promotional basis.

Preview the Chief Physician and Surgeon, Correctional Facility Exam

1. Administer medical interventions to patients to treat, prevent, and/or manage illnesses, diseases, or injuries.

2. Advise medical executives on opportunities to improve barriers to the effective implementation of policies, procedures, programs, and processes.

3. Assign medical providers to daily shifts and posts, including medical officer-of-the-day and weekend duty.

4. Assist medical executives in overseeing the development and implementation of local professional practice processes.

5. Assist medical executives in processing health program documentation (e.g., health program standards, policies, and procedures).

6. Assist medical providers in coordinating nursing, social work, rehabilitation therapy, and other ancillary services/activities.

7. Assist with determining health care priorities, plans, policies, programs, and resource needs to ensure effective operation of the health program.

8. Conduct peer and quality reviews to evaluate, document, and improve patient care and ensure compliance with applicable laws, rules, regulations, and policies and procedures.

9. Consult with medical provider staff on difficult or unusual medical cases to provide recommendations and ensure patients receive appropriate care.

10. Make rounds, clinical teaching rounds, and inspection tours to observe the quality of professional medical services provided, facilitate continuity of care, and manage patients' conditions.

11. Oversee an effective quality management system to support ongoing program evaluation and improvement.

12. Plan, organize, direct, and supervise the work of medical providers to ensure implementation of the standards of medical care and treatment of patients.

13. Present recommendations to medical executives on such matters as hospital/clinic policy, new forms of treatment, equipment, personnel, and/or budget needs.

14. Review performance, operational and clinical data, and reports to identify opportunities to improve patient outcomes.

15. Review, analyze, and interpret medical charts, lab reports, consultant reports, and other medical documents to determine patients’ general progress and next steps in care.

16. Serve on various steering committees, subcommittees, and workgroups to provide subject matter expertise on health-related topics.

17.Work collaboratively with personnel in a variety of disciplines to effectively coordinate patient care.

18. Work with medical executives to conduct and/or facilitate staff conferences, work sessions, meetings, training, etc.

19. Work with registered nurses to operate an effective system for minimizing under- or over-utilization of specialty services and avoid hospitalizations.

Testing Departments

  • California Correctional Health Care Services

Contact Information

Questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

California Correctional Health Care Services
Examination Services Section
PO Box 588500, Personnel D-1
Elk Grove, CA 95758
Phone: (916) 691-5894
CPHCSSelectionServices@cdcr.ca.gov

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice). TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

Drug Free Statement

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free State work place. Any applicant for State employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective, because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing civil service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

General Information

Examination and/or Employment Application (STD 678) forms are available at the California Department of Human Resources, local offices of the Employment Development Department, and through your CalCareer Account (www.CalCareers.ca.gov).

If you meet the requirements stated on this examination bulletin, you may take this examination, which is competitive. Possession of the entrance requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination described in this bulletin will be rated against a predetermined job-related rating, and all applicants who pass will be ranked according to their scores.

California Correctional Health Care Services reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the service, if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service laws and rules and all applicants will be notified.

General Qualifications: Applicants must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and a state of health consistent with the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class. A medical examination may be required. In open examinations, investigation may be made of employment records and personal history and fingerprinting may be required.

Eligible Lists: Eligible lists established by competitive examination, regardless of date, must be used in the following order: 1) sub-divisional promotional, 2) departmental promotional, 3) multi-departmental promotional, 4) service-wide promotional, 5) departmental open, 6) open. When there are two lists of the same kind, the older must be used first. Eligible lists will expire in one to four years unless otherwise stated on the bulletin.

High School Equivalence: Equivalence to completion of the 12th grade may be demonstrated in any one of the following ways: 1) passing the General Education Development (GED) Test; 2) completion of 12 semester units of college-level work; 3) certification from the State Department of Education, a local school board, or high school authorities that the competitor is considered to have education equivalent to graduation from high school; or 4) for clerical and accounting classes, substitution of business college work in place of high school on a year-for-year basis.

Accepted applicants must provide proof of identification at each in-person test session. Acceptable identification consists of a photo identification card or two forms of signed identification.

Application Methods:
Electronic (Your CalCareer Account)