It’s that time of year again! Get ready to roll up your sleeve and join us at one of our Drive-thru Vaccination Clincs to get your Flu vaccine and/or your COVID vaccine. We hope to see you there!
MCHD is seeking applicants for the Administrator Position
Administrator is responsible for all aspects and functions of managing the health department, to include managing staff, public health programs, and community relations; all aspects of business control including strategic planning, human resources, fiscal management, emergency planning, and policy management. Duties include department Security Officer, Custodian of Records, County Health Officer, and Local Registrar. Position is accountable to an elected Board of Trustees.
Administrator is a salaried position working a minimum of 40 hours each week, requiring a Bachelor’s Degree and three years minimum supervision/management experience. Essential skills include ethical conduct; exceptional written and verbal communication skills; financial, business and leadership acumen; with a good head for strategic thinking.
Salary is commensurate with experience. Benefits include health and life insurance, optional supplemental insurances for vision and dental, Lager’s retirement, accrued vacation and sick time, and several paid holidays.
Submit completed application and resume by 5:00 p.m. June 15, 2024 to:
Macon County Health Department
503 N. Missouri Street
Macon, MO 63552
Or email: mchambers@maconmohealth.org
Applications are at the health department or can be found under the Forms tab.
Interviews will be at the discretion of the Macon County Health Department Board of Trustees. Position start date will be winter 2024. The Health Department Board of Trustees reserves the right to reject any and all applications.
Macon County Health Department is an equal opportunity employer.
Public Health Month 2024
Join us to celebrate public health throughout the month of April! We will be highlighting events to celebrate what public health can do for our community to protect, promote and improve the health and quality of life in Macon County. Each week we will spotlight a different area of public health. We hope you can join us!
Events
Thursday, April 4th – Health
- Late immunization clinic until 6:30 pm
- Childhood immunizations
- Back to school immunizations
- Adult immunizations: flu, RSV, COVID, pneumonia, shingles
- Call for an appointment at 660-395-4711
- Free blood pressure checks
Thursday, April 11th – Environmental
- $5 lead tests for children (fingerstick)
- Free HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C testing for adults
- Planting the community garden
Wednesday, April 17th
- Free skin cancer screening by Boone Hospital – by appointment only. Sign up here: Boone Health: Macon Co Skin Cancer Screenings – exposed skin – 2024 (signupgenius.com)
Thursday, April 18th – Family
- Free car seat checks from 1-4 pm (or by appointment)
- Free prenatal vitamins
- WIC
- Hands only CPR demonstration
Thursday, April 25th – Safety
- Community volunteer corps information
- Child ID kits
- Free narcan
- Free prescription drug disposal bags
Low-cost Blood Draw Specials
We will be offering a low-cost blood tests special to measure your health. Hours: Monday thru Thursday from 7:45 am – 5:30 pm, blood draws need to arrive before 4:30 pm. Walk-ins are welcome but we prefer an appointment in order to better serve you.
No doctor’s order needed for this blood draw special. Results will be sent to your primary care physician for follow-up as needed. For anyone who does not have a primary care physician, and any results that appear out of the normal range, health department nurses will assist you to find a physician of your choice for follow-up health care.
Test Panel – $55
- Complete Metabolic Panel (CMP) – this test provides information on the body’s fluid balance, levels of electrolytes like sodium and potassium, and how your kidneys and liver are working
- Complete Blood Count (CBC) – this test looks at your overall health and finds a wide range of conditions including anemia, infection, and leukemia.
- Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) – this test measures a hormone that is produced by the thyroid gland that controls how your body uses energy. Abnormal TSH levels may be a sign of a thyroid problem.
- Hemoglobin A1C – this test measures your average blood sugar level for the past 3 months.
- Vitamin D – this test measures the amount of Vitamin D in your body. Vitamin D helps control calcium and phosphate levels.
- Lipid Panel – this test is used to monitor and screen for cardiovascular disease and includes 3 measurements of cholesterol levels. It also checks triglyceride levels, which is a type of fat in your blood, which could raise your risk of heart disease and stroke.
- **Must be fasting**
Prostate Test – $15
- Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) – this antigen is a protein produced by normal, as well as malignant cells of the prostate gland. This test measures the level of this protein. This level is often elevated in men with prostate cancer by can also be elevated with enlargement of the prostate gland, inflammation, and other non-cancerous conditions.
- The American Cancer Society recommends screenings at various ages based on family history and risk
- Starting at age 50 for men who are at average risk
- Starting at age 45 for men who are at high risk, including African American men and men who have a first-degree relative (father or brother) diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early age (younger than age 65)
- Starting at age 40 for men at even higher risk (with more than one first-degree relative who had prostate cancer at an early age)
- The American Cancer Society recommends screenings at various ages based on family history and risk
Respiratory Virus Update
December 21, 2023
Rates of respiratory viruses are increasing state wide and nationally, this includes COVID-19, flu, RSV and other influenza-like illnesses. COVID-19 hospitalization rates are increasing nationally and in Missouri, which can put a strain on healthcare systems and the individuals who are hospitalized if these trends continue.
Wastewater (sewage) was tested during the pandemic, and continues to be tested, to watch for COVID-19 viral activity. Nationally, wastewater viral activity is very high for COVID-19, which tells us that the virus is circulating, even if people do not have symptoms or are not being tested.
Symptoms of respiratory viruses, such as COVID, Flu, and RSV, can be similar such as runny nose, sore throat, cough, fever, and headache. Flu and COVID-19 symptoms can also include fatigue, body aches, congestion. Some may experience nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea with flu and COVID, but it is more likely with COVID-19. A symptom associated with COVID-19 but not flu, is a new loss of taste or smell. A common cold may also be causing your symptoms, but those are generally milder, have a gradual onset, and do not usually include a fever. It is hard to tell which respiratory illness you have based on symptoms alone, which makes testing an important tool to getting treated when you are sick. The Macon County Health Department offers free COVID, flu, and RSV testing by appointment for individuals who are symptomatic.
Respiratory viruses, including COVID, flu, and RSV, can all lead to the development of pneumonia in all age groups. Vaccination against these viruses can also reduce the risk of developing pneumonia as a secondary infection.
Typical patterns of respiratory illnesses tell us we have not reached the peak yet this season, but we have tools to help reduce our risk of severe illness, hospitalizations, and death due to these illnesses.
- Stay home if you’re sick. It is hard to miss important events, holidays and appointments, but going to these while you are sick will continue to pass on the illness to others. Respiratory viruses can be particularly hard on kids, older adults, and anyone who is immunocompromised.
- Wash your hands frequently. Handwashing with warm water and soap removes most germs from your hands, including respiratory viruses. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Germs from unwashed hands can get into your food, transferred to others by touching a common object, or get into our body when we touch our face.
- Improving air quality through ventilation in your home can reduce virus particles in the air and reduce respiratory viruses. Opening windows or doors, turning on the fan, and using air filters are all options to improve the air quality. If your home has central air or an HVAC system, make sure filters are installed properly and replaced on schedule. Moving an event outside is also an option if the event and weather allow.
- Cover your cough and sneezes. This is a simple way to reduce spreading germs into the air. Remember to wash your hands afterwards.
- Stay up to date on vaccinations. This is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of respiratory viruses. Vaccines take a few weeks to build immunity so be sure to plan vaccinations with enough time before big events, like holidays.
- Flu – annual flu vaccines are available to ages 6 months and up
- COVID-19 – ages 6 months and up should receive a covid-19 vaccine this fall (beginning September 2023).
- The Macon County Health Department carries Pfizer, which is only available for ages 12 and up. For those younger than 12, speak to your pediatrician about where to get vaccinated.
- RSV – available to infants in their first RSV season, women between 32-36 weeks pregnant, and adults ages 60 years old and up.
- The Macon County Health Department carries the RSV vaccine available for pregnant women and adults. For infants, speak to your pediatrician about receiving this vaccine.
- Pneumonia – Children receive pneumonia vaccines as part of their regular childhood immunizations, keeping them on schedule is important to reduce their risk of pneumonia. Adults ages 65 and older are recommended to get the pneumonia vaccine and some younger adults with certain chronic health conditions. The Macon County Health Department carries a variety of pneumonia vaccines to be able to offer the best vaccine for your health and previous vaccination history.
- Get tested if you begin showing signs of a respiratory virus. Getting tested can help you make the decision to stay home from school, work, or an event if you are showing symptoms or have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for a respiratory illness. You can test pro-actively test before going to visit in a hospital or nursing home to reduce the risk of spreading illness to high-risk populations. If you are high risk for severe infection or hospitalization, this can also allow you to speak with your doctor about beginning an antiviral treatment, such as paxlovid or Tamiflu, as they see fit.
- The Macon County Health Department offers free COVID, flu, and RSV testing by appointment for individuals who are symptomatic.
- You can get 8 free at-home tests online through online.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued a Health Advisory urging for the need of increased vaccination rates for COVID, flu, and RSV as respiratory illness activity increases. Vaccines can reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death from a preventable disease, keeping your family healthy and safe. For more information about vaccines to prevent against respiratory viruses, testing, or general health information, contact the Macon County Health Department.
Seeking to Hire: Environmental Health Services
Macon County Health Department would like to hire someone to assist their Environmental health services with such tasks as routine lodging and food service inspections, new food establishment openings, and other general environmental health and safety items.
This position is 28 hours each week, grant funded, and earns accrued sick time (7.5 hours per month) and accrued vacation time (7.5 hours per month).
Applicant requirements for the position are a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college.
To apply, submit an application and resume to:
Macon County Health Department
Attention: Mike Chambers
503 N. Missouri Street
Macon, MO 63552
Email: mchambers@maconmohealth.org
Applications can be picked up at the health department, or downloaded at https://www.maconmohealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Employment-application-11-17-pdf.pdf
Applications and resumes will be accepted through 5:00 p.m. December 26, 2023. Macon County Department is an equal opportunity employer.
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