State of Maryland

A Physician Clinical Specialist is the advanced level of work providing clinical services in an area of medical specialization to patients who are mentally ill, chronically ill or developmentally disabled or are in need of medical and preventive treatment.  Employees in this classification are primarily located at Maryland Department of Health (MDH) facilities and local health departments.  Employees in this classification do not supervise other Physicians but may supervise health care support staff.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from a higher-level Physician or an administrative official.  Employees may be assigned to day, evening, night or rotating shifts which may include holidays and weekends.  Employees are subject to call-in and overtime based on staffing requirements.  Employees are required to observe infection control precautions in order to prevent contamination and spread of disease.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work Sections of the class specification.

The Physician Clinical Specialist is differentiated from Physician Clinical Staff in that the Physician Clinical Specialist is primarily assigned to MDH facilities and local health departments and performs advanced level work providing clinical services in a medical specialty area  that requires certification by an American Medical Association Specialty Board while the Physician Clinical Staff is primarily assigned to MDH facilities and local health department and performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.

Provides consultation, advice and overview of treatment in an area of medical specialization to other physicians and health care staff;

Plans and participates in the medical care of patients in a State facility, local health department or other agency;

Develops patient treatment plans based on assessments and diagnoses; Implements and oversees implementation of treatment plans;

Examines and treats patients based on diagnoses;

Prescribes medications and treatments as indicated by diagnoses;

Orders various tests and analyses to provide information on patient’s condition;

Analyzes reports and findings in order to determine patient’s progress and adjusts treatment plan accordingly;

Reviews patients’ records to assure their adequacy and proper administration;

Advises health care support staff of appropriate treatment techniques needed for individual cases;

Conducts clinical rounds and reviews progress of patients;

Meets with patients and their families to discuss treatment plans and address concerns;

Attends staff meetings and participates in diagnostic and treatment discussions, lectures, seminars and case presentations;

Gives lectures and presentations to medical students, heath care professionals and lay groups in an area of medical specialization;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of the theories, principles and practices of the specialized field of medicine;

Knowledge of the clinical aspects of medicine;

Knowledge of the standards of medical care;

Knowledge of current developments in medicine;

Skill in the examination and treatment of patients;

Skill in performing medical diagnosis and planning treatment based on diagnosis;

Ability to communicate effectively with other Physicians, health care professionals, support staff, patients and families of patients.

Education:   A Doctorate a degree in medicine from an accredited college or university.

Experience: Required for certification in an area of medical specialization by an American Medical Association Specialty Board.

Note: Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in Medical Corpsman and Physicians classifications or Nursing or Physician and Medical Services and Special Corpsman Officer specialty codes in the medicine field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required education.

1. Applicants  for this classification must be certified by an American Medical Association Specialty Board in an area of medical specialization.

2. Applicants for this classification must be licensed by the Maryland Board of Physicians to practice medicine under Maryland State Law. A copy of the current license must be attached to the application.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Professional Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Professional Service positions.  Some positions in Professional Service classifications may be designated as Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit E- Health Care Professionals classes.  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial, and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining. Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.