Job Title: Disease Intervention Specialist

Job Status: Part-Time, up to 28 hours a week.

**COVID-19 VACCINATIONS: Highly recommended for all newly hired employees in Community Health and Resource Center**

Bilingual skills in Arabic and/or Spanish are preferred.

Job Summary: Under general supervision, the Disease Intervention Specialist performs investigations, partner notifications, and follow-up on individuals who have been diagnosed with infectious targeted diseases or may be at risk. Disease intervention rapidly identifies individuals who do not know they may be infected and then assists them to rapidly receive treatment and stop the disease from spreading and prevent serious health problems caused by the disease. Complete intake assessment and routine STI/HIV, Hep A, B, C, etc.) testing. Provide health education to clients and the general public about infectious disease signs, symptoms, and prevention.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide education, counseling, and assistance to the community for targeted disease research and evaluation
• Perform venipuncture/blood withdrawals to define and intervene in the spread of communicable and chronic diseases of public health, provide STI and HIV testing
• Notify and communicate the test results, provide referrals and resources for treatment, and provide prevention education
• Document all testing encounters. This includes; consent for testing, releases of information, screening for risk factors, disease pre and post-test counseling
• Screen clients for all supportive service needs that may be necessary and refer as appropriate
• Perform a variety of investigative duties, including counseling related to the prevention and control of communicable diseases
• Consult with physicians, the medical team, laboratories, community groups, schools, volunteer agencies and other organizations to enlist and maintain their cooperation in a program of communicable disease prevention
• Interview cases, contacts and others in the community concerning personal behaviors and activities which contribute to disease transmission and determine solutions with the medical team
• Ensure compliance with established State and Federal laws and regulations related to disease control and prevention
• Function as a patient advocate and counsel clients on available resources
• Keep current with local, national, and international disease trends and outbreaks
• Prepare for and/or participate in quality assurance audits
• Build relationships with providers of services including physicians, clinics, and the public
• Maintains awareness of community changes which could impact service delivery
• Participates in ongoing trainings to increase skill level as both a presenter and an active audience member
• Conducts community outreach and networks with other service providers developing new venues for the program to participate in
• Perform diagnostic tests as directed by physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• OSHA standards
• Requirements of regulatory, licensing and accreditation agencies including standards put forth by the National Coalition of STD Directors
• HIPAA and confidentiality standards

Skill in:

• Obtaining current patient vital statistics (height, weight, accurate blood pressure, temperature, etc.) and patient health history
• Solid critical thinking with the ability to effectively solve problems (e.g. able to determine if a patient issue requires immediate provider attention if there are significant changes to the patient history or other clinical issues that are presented)
• Strong customer service skills
• Strong multi-tasking skills
• Operating standard office equipment and using required software applications for program area and other applications, including Microsoft Office

Ability to:

• Maintain professional conduct with colleagues and facilitates
• Effective interaction in one-on-one situations and in meetings
• Use computer system at a high level of proficiency, with the ability to efficiently utilize clinic technology and Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word)
• Use medical equipment (EKG, PFT, etc.)
• Perform duties of a phlebotomist
• Communicate in a courteous and friendly manner at all times and to work effectively in conjunction with the clinical care team
• Ability to be a team player
• Maintain professional conduct with staff and all contacts
• Maintains and enhances professional expertise through appropriate educational/organizational activities

Educational/Previous Experience Requirements:

• Minimum Degree Required:
  • Bachelor's degree
• Required Disciplines: Epidemiology or Public Health and Policy, or field related to assigned area

~and~

• At least 3-5 years previous public health experience or equivalent combination of education, experience and/or training approved by Human Resources.

Licenses/Certifications:

• Licenses/Certifications Required at Date of Hire:
  • Certified Phlebotomist or Medical Assistant or Registered Nurse preferred

• Certified Venipuncture required within 90 days of hire plus a total of 20 hours of supervised training on the job
• Complete Counseling, Testing, and Referral (CTR) Module 1-3 within 90 days of hire.
• Complete Passport to Partner Services within 6 months of hire
• Complete ‘PrEP Navigation’ within 6 months of hire.

Working Conditions:

Hours: Normal business hours, some additional hours may be required

Travel Required: None generally required

Working Environment: Climate controlled office