There shall be a Department of Health, the head of which shall
be the Health Officer. Except for the legislative powers vested in
the Board of Commissioners, the Department of Health shall possess
all of the functions, powers and duties of a local Board of Health
under Title 26 of the Revised Statues of the State of New Jersey.
The Health Officer, in the Department of Health, shall have
the responsibility to fulfill the City's statutory obligation
to provide burials for indigents as required by law.
A.
Position established. There is hereby created the position of Chief
Public Health Investigator in the Health Department of the City.
B.
Appointment; duties. The appointment of the Chief Public Health Investigator
shall be made by the director of the Department of Public Affairs.
The person appointed as Chief Public Health Investigator shall be
under the direction of the Director of the Department of Public Affairs
and, under the director, shall take the lead over other Public Health
Investigators; assist in making routing inspections and investigations
of complaints by the Department of Health and perform related work
as may be required, including complaints of alleged violations of
the Sanitary Code and local health ordinances; perform surveys to
determine insect and rodent infestation; inspect alleyways and vacant
lots for trash and litter so as to determine compliance with local
ordinances; refer food-related violations to sanitary inspectors;
distribute literature concerning public health campaigns within the
community; prepare and/or review case histories and reports of investigations;
answer inquiries and give information relating to health laws; maintain
required records and files; coordinate the annual dog census and assist
investigators with the preparation of court cases.
C.
Qualifications.
(1)
The
qualifications of the Chief Public Health Investigator shall be as
follows:
(a)
Graduation from high school or vocational high school, or possession
of an approved high school certificate, or the equivalency thereof
in education and experience.
(b)
Ten years of experience in field investigations; four years
of experience as a supervisor of Public Health Investigators.
(c)
Considerable knowledge of local and state health laws and standards;
also of the problems and procedures involved in investigations relative
to sanitary conditions and of the philosophy of maintaining public
health standards.
(d)
Ability to comprehend rules and regulations; to take and assume
the lead in public health investigations; to interview persons of
varying backgrounds; to use tact and courtesy in making investigations;
to observe and analyze significant conditions; to prepare suitable
reports; and to keep and maintain suitable records and files.
(2)
Persons with physical or mental disabilities are eligible so long
as they can perform the essential functions of the job, after reasonable
accommodation is made for their known limitations, unless such accommodation
imposes undue hardship upon the City or the performance of such duties
poses a direct threat to the health or safety of such person or others.
A.
Position established. There is hereby created the position on Public
Health Investigator in the Department of Health of the City.
B.
Duties.
(1)
The Public Health Investigator, under the direction of his/her immediate
superior or the Commissioner of the Department of Public Affairs,
shall assist in making routine inspections and investigations of complaints
received by the Health Department and shall do related work as required
by the Board of Health.
(2)
The Public Health Investigator shall be required to investigate complaints
of alleged violations of the Sanitary Code and local health ordinances;
inspect alleyways for trash and litter so as to determine compliance
with local ordinances; investigate complains of inadequate heat in
apartments and homes in order to determine if there is any violation
of local ordinances; work an assigned district checking on any visible
health violations for referral to the sanitary inspectors; inspect
buildings for the presence of rodents and other health nuisances;
distribute literature concerning public health campaigns within the
community; assist in taking the dog census; prepare case histories
and reports of investigations; answer inquiries and give information
relating to the health laws; conduct simple and routine metric testing
with the use of individual audiometer tests and follow up on all defects
found by referral to the family physician with notification of the
defects found; and maintain records and files.
C.
Qualifications. The Public Health Investigator shall have graduated
from high school or vocational high school, or possess an approved
high school equivalent certificate or any equivalency in education
and experience. The Public Health Investigator shall have some knowledge
of local and state health laws and standards; of the problems and
procedures involved in investigating sanitary conditions; and of the
philosophy of maintaining public health standards. The Public Health
Investigator shall have the ability to comprehend established rules
and regulations; to interview persons of varying backgrounds; to use
tact and courtesy in making investigations; to observe and analyze
significant conditions; to prepare suitable reports; and to maintain
suitable records and files. The Public Health Investigator shall be
in good health and freedom from disabling physical and mental defects
which would impair the proper performance of the required duties or
which might endanger the health and safety of oneself or others.
A.
Position established. There is hereby created the position of Physician
in the Department of Health of the City.
B.
Duties. Under the direction of the Health Officer of the City, it
shall be the duty of the Physician to provide medical services in
the Health Department pertaining to child clinics, including immunizations,
examinations and related care of children; immunization programs,
including the administration of vaccines for influenza, measles and
related sicknesses or diseases. The Physician shall keep needed records
and further assist in the city-wide health programs, including the
examination, immunization and testing programs involving any and all
of the citizens of the City, together with other City medical services
rendered by the City, exclusive of those rendered to the public school
system.
C.
Qualifications. The qualifications of the Physician of the Health
Department shall be as follows:
(1)
Formal and other education and training showing attainment of the
level represented by graduation from a medical school with the degree
of doctor of medicine.
(2)
Three years of experience as a practicing physician.
(3)
Possession of a valid New Jersey license to practice medicine.
(4)
A thorough knowledge of the accepted principles of medicine and medical
practice, of the proper attitudes used in treating persons who are
unable to pay for medical service and of keeping needed records.
(5)
The ability to treat sick people successfully, to make proper diagnosis
of illnesses and to give proper medical advice.
(6)
Good health and freedom from disabling physical and mental defects.
A.
Position established. There is hereby created the position of Health
Educator for the Health Department in the Department of Public Affairs.
B.
Appointment; compensation. The Health educator shall be appointed
by, and under the direction of, the Director of the Department of
Public Affairs. The salary of the Health Educator shall be as set
forth in the annual Salary Ordinance.
C.
Qualifications. The qualifications for the position of Health Educator
shall be as follows:
(1)
Possession of a master of public health degree in health education
from an accredited school of public health or a master's degree
in community health education from an accredited program.
(2)
Two years of full time paid experience in a large-scale community
health or public health program.
(3)
A thorough knowledge of modern health education techniques and practices,
of the principles in organization and administration of public health
programs, of the principles and most effective methods of disseminating
information, of developing community support and cooperation, and
of analyzing and evaluating community health needs and resources.
(4)
The ability to read, write, speak and understand English sufficiently
to perform the duties of this position, including to plan, organize
and develop effective work methods; to assess community health needs
and resources; to work effectively with various groups and organizations;
to stimulate desire for improved public health; to communicate ideas
and knowledge effectively; to analyze and interpret health data; to
prepare clear, concise and informative reports; and to establish and
maintain records and files.
(5)
Good health and freedom from disabling physical and mental defects
which would impair the proper performance of the required duties or
which might endanger the health and safety of oneself or others.
D.
Duties.
(1)
It shall be the duty of the Health Educator, under the Director,
to plan, organize and direct a program of public health practices
and community health resources, promote community action for improved
public health and do related work as required.
(2)
It shall be the further duty of the Health Educator to:
(a)
Assist the local Health Officer in planning and organizing.
(b)
Assist and guide various civic, fraternal, health and volunteer
organizations in organizing and developing study programs in public
health problems.
(c)
Assist various community organizations in developing and improving
their health education activities by providing consultation and guidance.
(d)
Assist individuals and groups in developing sound personal health
practices.
(e)
Visit and give talks before members of health, civic and welfare
organizations, including health councils, parent/teacher associations
and tuberculosis leagues, to interpret the objectives, standards and
policies of the local Health Department.
(f)
Create a public awareness of health needs and stimulate constructive
action to improve it by preparing and distributing health literature,
by conducting lectures and by showing films and slides.
(g)
Prepare press releases, pamphlets and statements relating to
the programs and functions of local clinics and the Health Department.
(h)
Coordinate the health education activities of various community
organizations.
(i)
Assist hospital, clinic and Health Department staffs in presenting
health information to patients and other individuals by providing
them with educational mechanisms and advice on the effective techniques
of health education.
(j)
Study and assess the health education needs of the community
and analyze the knowledge, interest, beliefs and practices of people
in the community to determine possible barriers to the health education
process.
(k)
Assist instructional and school administrators in the planning,
developing and presenting of a health education program to students.
(l)
Evaluate community health resources and health education programs.
(m)
Prepare suitable reports and maintain records and files.
A.
Inspection of premises. The Board of Commissioners, its agents and
employees, including the Health Officer, shall have the right to inspect
any premises in the City if they have reason to believe that any provision
of this chapter is being violated, or as part of a regular program
of inspection.
B.
Search warrant. If the owner or occupant of any premises refuses
to permit entry for the purpose of inspection, the Health Officer
may apply to the Municipal Judge for a search warrant. The application
shall be based upon an affidavit setting forth that the inspection
is part of a regular program of inspection or that conditions and
circumstances provide a reasonable basis for believing that a nuisance
or unsanitary or unhealthy condition exists on the premises. If the
Judge is satisfied as to the matters set forth in the affidavit, (s)he
shall authorize the issuance of a search warrant permitting access
to and inspection of the premises.
[Amended 5-21-2013]
The Board of Commissioners and the Health Officer may make rules
and regulations which interpret or amplify any provision of this section
or other health regulations, or for the purpose of making the provisions
of this section or any other health regulation more effective. No
regulation, however, shall be inconsistent with, alter or amend any
provision of this section or other health ordinance in this Code,
and no regulation shall impose any requirements which is in addition
to or greater than the requirements that are expressly or by implication
imposed by any provision of this section or other health ordinance
in this Code.