Communicable Disease Investigator

Current vacancy with the Health and Human Services Agency, Environmental Health Division, located in Tulare. This recruitment will establish an employment list to fill current and future vacancies. The anticipated life of the employment list is six months.

DUTY SAMPLE 

Investigate cases of communicable diseases, make referrals, provide presentations, and maintain records; conduct interviews of a highly personal nature with communicable disease patients; supervise, train, and maintain standards of practice and evaluating employee performance and competency; conduct follow-up interviews and provide counseling to ensure compliance with case management program is being followed. Perform field investigations of a technical and sensitive nature which involves elicitation of contacts for referral to appropriate medical and diagnostic facilities for assessment, examination, and treatment; provide informational and educational presentations to health care professionals, community groups, and high-risk individuals regarding communicable diseases, effects, and prevention; develop and maintain effective working relationships with federal, state and local health agencies and professionals; monitor health care providers to assure compliance with communicable disease reporting laws; obtain case medical records for the  documentation of intervention and epidemiologic surveillance data; review documentation for accuracy, completeness, and consistency; prepare case narratives, memos, correspondence, and other documentation; assess risk category and apply protocol for each risk category; write reports for program evaluation, prepare narratives, memos, correspondence and other documentation; participate in regular program meetings and trainings such as weekly case reviews, communicable disease training, and others deemed necessary; may draw blood in the course of field investigations when necessary, and as pertaining to license or certifications; advise on the interpretation and application of laws, ordinances, regulations, and policies; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; address and resolve inter-professional and intra-disciplinary problems; may provide outreach to coordinate health, behavior health, and social services in order to improve the health outcome in the community; assist in the development, implementation, and ongoing refinement of care coordination and policies and procedures in collaboration with multi-agency work group; support outbreak response activities.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in public health, behavioral, or life sciences or related field from an accredited college or university OR associate’s degree in public health, health sciences, behavioral health, life sciences, or a related field from an accredited college or university 

Experience: Two (2) years’ experience in the control and prevention of communicable diseases or medical field.

Knowledge of:  Programs applicable to general disease control; interviewing, counseling, and investigating methods and techniques; general medical terminology; math sufficient to maintain statistical records; filing and record keeping systems.

Skill/Ability to:  Work and communicate effectively with people of various education and socioeconomic backgrounds by respecting beliefs, interpersonal styles and behaviors of both clients and co-workers; operate contemporary office equipment inclusive of computer, keyboard, and all applicable electronic equipment; practice excellent and sensitive interpersonal, cultural sensitivity, and interviewing skills such that they can build and maintain trust with patients and contacts; be able to independently manage workload that includes reaching out to contacts over the phone, maintaining spreadsheets, and data entry; work and communicate effectively with people of various education and socioeconomic backgrounds by respecting beliefs, interpersonal styles and behaviors of both clients and coworkers; conduct interviews of a highly personal nature; conduct technical investigations including tracing and locating suspects; prepare, organize, and give presentations to the public; organize work, establish priorities, and work independently; collect information, analyze data, draw conclusions, and make appropriate recommendations for effective course of action; read and comprehend laws, rules, and regulations; arrange for medical testing and treatment; establish rapport and work cooperatively with a variety of persons with various lifestyles, cultural, socioeconomic, and educational backgrounds; write correspondence and reports using correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling; maintain confidentiality of patient/client information; retain and recall pertinent information such as regulations and client data; adjust to changes in work loads and coordinate work with others under stress of deadlines; organize work effectively; provide effective staff management through supervision, training, coaching, and performance management; complete multiple priority projects with strict deadlines within a fast-paced environment; work a flexible schedule including evening and weekend hours when participating in outreach events.

 

Knowledge of: Clinical and laboratory operations; local procedures of enforcement in obtaining compliance with public health laws and regulations; local medical and community resources available to communicable disease patients; health education methods and techniques for the advocacy of communicable disease prevention.

Skill/Ability to: Read, write, and translate Spanish or other second language if required.

Candidates selected will be required to pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol screening. Additionally, a background investigation may also be conducted, which may include a re-investigation every 10 years for some positions. An Employment Eligibility Verification using E-Verify may be required on the first day of employment for some positions. Some job classes may also require a physical exam.

 

This may be a qualifying position for student loan forgiveness through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA). Only student loan payments made after October 1, 2007 and in a qualified repayment plan are eligible. For more information you are encouraged to speak with your student loan servicer or visit: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service.