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Personnel recommendations

CHS administrators
CHS medical consultants
Disease prevention and control / health promotion staff
Public health nurses
Other public health professions

In considering candidates for a position on your staff, you need to consider both the legal requirements and the other qualifications and qualities that will help a candidate become a resourceful, committed, and valued member of your team. The personal qualities and skills of an individual complement and strengthen their academic preparation and professional certifications. Characteristics such as being a "team player," having a positive outlook, being able to effectively communicate with clients and colleagues, having a public health perspective, and being creative in facing challenges are universally desirable traits in staff.

For background, expectations, and qualifications of CHS administrators, visit the chapter Expectations of CHS administrators.

The community health board must appoint, employ, or contract with a medical consultant to ensure appropriate medical advice and direction for the board of health and assist the board and its staff in the coordination of community health services with local medical care and other health services (Minn. Stat. § 145A.10, subd. 3).

"Medical consultant" means a physician licensed to practice medicine in Minnesota who is working under a written agreement with, employed by, or on contract with a board of health to provide advice and information, to authorize medical procedures through standing orders, and to assist a board of health and its staff in coordinating their activities with local medical practitioners and health care institutions. (Minn. Stat. § 145A.02, subd. 15)

As part of the collaborative agreement between MDH and local public health, MDH asks that local public health designate staff to have communicable disease responsibilities for Tuberculosis; STI/HIV; vaccine-preventable disease; refugee health; and surveillance activities. The MDH provides consultation and training to local Disease Prevention & Control staff as requested, so that local staff are prepared to carry out the Disease Prevention and Control duties outlined in their DP&C common activities framework.

Similarly, all local health departments are expected to designate a staff person to serve as a health promotion contact for MDH staff (per the key indicators, accountability review).

Public health departments in Minnesota employ public health nurses. According to Minnesota State Statute (Minn. Stat. § 148.232), a public health nurse must be certified for public health duties by registration. Minn. R. 6316 lists the requirements for registration. This includes a baccalaureate or higher degree with a major in nursing and minimum public health nursing coursework.

• Provider certifications, licenses, registrations, and rosters
• Licenses and permits administered by MDH

Includes:

• Environmental health sanitarians
• Environmental health specialists
• Well inspectors
• Supervision of skilled nursing
• Home health aides
• WIC staff
• Child and Teen Checkup clinics
• Elderly waiver and long-term care consultation
• Personal care assistants

Next: Government records and retention