(1) The Secretary of the Department of Health may employ the Arkansas Surgeon General.
(2) If employed by the secretary, the Arkansas Surgeon General shall: Be a graduate of a school of medicine recognized by the Arkansas State Medical Board;
(3) Be licensed and in good standing with the board; and
(4) Serve as an advisor to the secretary.
(5) The Arkansas Surgeon General shall perform the duties required of him or her by the secretary, including without limitation: Reviewing, assessing, and developing health policy options, including insurance coverage, health risk management, disease prevention, and health promotion strategies across state agencies;
(6) Providing health policy advice for the secretary and senior state agency officials;
(7) Raising awareness of healthcare and public health areas of priority for advancement of the health of the citizens of Arkansas;
(8) Reviewing legislative analyses and proposed legislation and creating position statements for the Governor and senior state agency officials;
(9) Advising the secretary, senior state agency officials, and governing boards and commissions on policy issues and program accomplishments; and
(10) Providing medical review oversight and guidance to health and human services clinical programs upon the request of the secretary.