Improving healthcare for mothers and newborns in Texas is a goal all healthcare providers share. If you want to use that passion to impact maternal care at the state level, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) wants to hear from you.
HHSC is seeking applicants for two recently added positions on the state’s Perinatal Advisory Council. The Legislature originally formed the council in 2013 to develop and recommend criteria for hospital designation levels of care for neonatal and maternal care services. The council serves a critical role as a conduit for stakeholder input into the designation process. It also examines utilization trends in neonatal and maternal care, and recommends ways to improve neonatal and maternal outcomes. Members comprise a cross-section of healthcare representatives with expertise in neonatal intensive care and maternal care in Texas.
Texas Perinatal Services’ members already play an active role on the Council, and have been vital in developing and recommending the criteria for hospital designation levels of care capabilities for neonatal and maternal care services.
The HHSC commissioner appoints members to serve three-year terms. Members include the following:
- One physician specializing in neonatology who works in a Level III or IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
- One physician specializing in pediatrics.
- One physician specializing in obstetrics-gynecology.
- One physician specializing in maternal fetal medicine.
- One registered nurse with expertise in perinatal health care delivery.
- One representative from a rural hospital.
- One administrative representative from a rural hospital that has 50 or fewer patient beds.
According to the HHSC, council members must regularly participate in council meetings and may also participate in subcommittee meetings, projects and presentations. Meetings are held at least quarterly in Austin. If you are interested in applying to become a Perinatal Advisory Council member, submit your application by May 4, 2018. For application forms and more information, click here.
