Disease Intervention Specialist

Distinguishing Features of Work:

With specific direction and routine supervision from the Community Health Services Program Director performs duties of a highly professional nature in the area of communicable disease investigation, intervention, and client interviewing. Duties include counseling, education, and assistance to targeted disease research and evaluation programs, performance of venipuncture to intervene in the spread of communicable and chronic disease of public health importance. This employee provides direct services and assures compliance with regulatory procedures established for immunizations, epidemiological investigations and communicable disease control protocols which may include contact investigations, partner notifications, partner follow-up of individuals who have been diagnosed with infectious diseases (STI/HIV, TB, Hep A, B, C, influenza, COVID 19, etc.). This position is a professional job that requires the employee to exercise appropriate discretion and judgement in the performance of the assigned duties and responsibilities.

Basic Duties and Responsibilities:

• Implements required procedures used in the application of laws, policies and regulations pertaining to communicable disease (including HIV/STD surveillance), immunization, tuberculosis and lead programs.

• Collects information concerning the incidence and sources of communicable disease; applies investigative techniques and procedures used in tracing the sources of disease.

• Facilitates cooperation with laboratories, clinics, hospitals and physicians’ offices in disease detection reporting.

• Assists in the research and compiling of statistics regarding the incidence of communicable disease and the prevailing immunization levels within a community or area.

• Assists in the evaluation of data which has been collected in relation to an investigation, study or survey.

• Accepts progressively responsible assignments in the detection, isolation and control of various communicable diseases.

• Conducts epidemiological investigations on cases and suspected cases of communicable disease; locates and refers patients to appropriate diagnostic facilities for proper medical follow-up.

• Assists in performing a variety of informational and educational activities involved in the control of communicable disease; assists in preparing and presenting lectures on communicable disease to school groups and the general public; also includes acting as a resource person for in-service education and training programs for VCHD staff.

• Assists with maintaining agency requirements for OSHA, Safety Data Sheets and the Respiratory Protection program and assists with compliance training for staff for these areas.

• Assists with the supervision of volunteer workers helping in communicable disease activities; may help supervise, train and guide subordinate personnel working in the same communicable disease control program or in a separate parallel program.

• Assists in public health emergency planning, preparedness and response activities, including all-hazard events, emergency medication distribution (SNS), and mass vaccination events.

• Maintains compliance with the participation and reporting requirements with the Illinois National Electronic Disease Surveillance System (INEDSS), & I-CARE state reporting systems.

• Performs TB surveillance and monitoring and may assist in home visits as indicated, including but not limited to, client follow-up, lead monitoring/inspection and Direct Observational Therapy (DOT).

Incumbent may be required to work before, during and/or beyond normal work hours or days in the event of an emergency. Emergency duty required of the Incumbent includes working in special needs or Red Cross shelters, or performing other emergency duties including, but not limited to, response to or threats involving any disaster or threat of disaster, man-made or natural. All employees are to complete mandatory training and health screenings within the required timeframe, as deemed necessary by the Department.

Required Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in public health, biological sciences, community health, environmental health, nursing, or a closely related field. Two (2) years of work experience in the public health field preferably with prior experience in the communicable disease field. Any satisfactory combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities maybe acceptable. The candidate should have comprehensive knowledge of the theory and practice of communicable disease control.

Required Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

• Requires the knowledge of public health principles and practices related to communicable disease programs including prevention, investigations, treatment, education, and community awareness.

• Requires the knowledge of local, state, and federal rules and regulations concerning public health.

• Requires the ability to act as patient advocate; counsel clients regarding medical and social services available and intervene on their behalf for access to services or resolution of conflict.

• Requires the knowledge and ability to prepare training/ exercise and other materials and make effective presentations.

• Requires the knowledge of grant writing and project management.

• Requires the skill in the operations of various software applications programs, including word processing, spreadsheets, and electronic mail.

• Requires the ability to express ideas effectively, verbally and in writing. Ability to meet deadlines and work independently in cooperation with agency, community, and industry representatives.

• Requires the ability to develop and maintain harmonious and effective working relationships with employees, other agencies, County officials, and the general public.

• Requires the ability to effectively coordinate/supervise volunteers and maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.

Job Demands:

• Any employee may be required to stay at or return to work during public health incidents and/or emergencies to perform duties specific to this classification or to perform other duties as requested in an assigned response position. This may require working a non-traditional work schedule or working outside normal assigned duties during the incident and/or emergency.

• Requires the delivery of all services in a tolerant, objective, and consistent manner.

• Requires a valid driver’s license and current proof of vehicular insurance.

• Requires a reliable motor vehicle for work-related travel. Travel may include travel to training courses, conferences, meetings and client homes.

Work Environment:

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities perform essential functions.

Physical Demands:

• Physical demands while in the office are usually minimal, involving the movement of files, books, equipment, etc. seldom exceeding 20pounds. Field activity and participation in program events or disaster response activities requires additional physical demands, such as walking and/ or standing for a long period of time, bending, stooping, climbing, etc., as well as the need to occasionally lift and move objects up to 40 pounds.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $45,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Medical Specialty:

• Public Health

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Work Location: In person

Salary : $45,000