Disease Intervention Specialist

Austin Community College; El Paso (TX); On-site; USD 52,801 - 55,801; Full time

Job summary

A leading public health department in El Paso seeks a Disease Intervention Specialist to play a vital role in investigating reportable diseases, including foodborne illnesses. The successful candidate will utilize their skills in outreach and education, ensuring effective disease control initiatives while working alongside a supportive team. This position offers an annual salary of $52,801 to $55,801 and requires a valid driver's license and CPR Certification. Join us to make a positive impact on community health.

Qualifications

• Must have a high school diploma or equivalent education.
• Three years of customer service or administrative experience required.
• Strong understanding of medical terminology and laboratory procedures.

Responsibilities

• Investigates and follows up on communicable diseases.
• Interviews and counsels clients on disease risks.
• Coordinates with health providers on surveillance data.
• Provides consultation and education about communicable diseases.

Skills

Knowledge of communicable disease etiology

Prioritizing and organizing multiple tasks

Excellent customer service

Ability to maintain confidentiality

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate degree in public health or related

Job description

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Join our dynamic team as a Disease Intervention Specialist at El Paso County Public Health, where you'll play a key role in investigating and interviewing for over 100 reportable diseases—focusing on enteric and foodborne investigations—while utilizing interviewing and communication skills to implement proactive disease control strategies. You’ll have the opportunity to make a real impact in public health by contributing to meaningful interventions along with the chance to work with a supportive team on critical responses, ensuring the health and safety of our community. APPLY NOW!!!

Hiring Range: $52,801 – $55,801 annually

This position has an anticipated work schedule of Monday – Friday, 7:30 am - 4:00pm or 800am – 4:30pm, subject to change.

Under FLSA guidelines, this position is non-exempt.

Please be advised this position may close without advance notice, should we receive a sufficient number of qualified applications.

This position is responsible for disease investigations, prevention, and control activities, including routine notifiable disease surveillance, Tuberculosis, and outbreak investigations. This position may be dependent on variable funding sources, including categorical grants. Employment is subject to the terms, conditions, and policies detailed in the Personnel Policies Manual (PPM). This position requires regular in-person presence as an essential job function.

• Investigates and follows up on a wide range of reportable communicable diseases to ensure appropriate prevention, treatment, control, and reporting; discusses findings with the team and records all findings appropriately.
• Participates in surveillance, case and outbreak investigations, and response to limit the spread of diseases.
• Interviews and counsels clients who are at risk for or have a communicable disease.
• Coordinates with public health and community providers to maintain quality control of surveillance data.
• Communicates with medical providers and necessary stakeholders to ensure appropriate follow-up is completed.
• Responds to calls from members of the public, health care providers, childcare centers, schools, and other stakeholders regarding communicable disease concerns; responds to phone and email inquiries from the public and medical providers.
• Provides consultation, outreach, and patient education about communicable diseases to a diverse community.
• May conduct directly observed therapy with tuberculosis (TB) patients in the field, via video or in the clinic; deliver monthly medication to latent TB patients in the field or in the clinic.
• Prepares, submits, and maintains detailed records for Local, State, and Federal agencies.
• Prepares technical reports, presentations, correspondence, and other written materials; enters data into a web-based electronic database.
• May assist in TB contact investigations and Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) of medications as needed.
• Responsible for processing human biologic specimens collected for submission needing laboratory testing.
• Participates in departmental emergency planning and response activities.
• Promotes public health within the community.
• Takes personal responsibility in providing exceptional customer service in order to promote and maintain a positive Public Health image, constructive working environment, and foster pride and professionalism in the workplace and community.
• Performs other duties as required.

Supervision Exercised

This classification does not have supervisory authority and requires no supervision or direction of others.

Supervision Received

Receives intermittent supervision. This classification normally performs the job by following established standard operating procedures and/or policies. Regular direction, guidance, and coaching from supervisor is expected. There is a choice of the appropriate procedure or policy to apply to duties. Performance reviewed periodically.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Must have knowledge of communicable disease etiology, manifestations, progression, diagnosis, and treatment.
• Understanding of medical and drug terminology and laboratory testing procedures.
• Expertise in prioritizing and organizing multiple tasks and the ability to complete projects in a timely manner.
• Must be detail-oriented and ensure accuracy in work. Ability to enter data in applicable databases timely and accurately.
• Ability to conduct interviews of a highly personal nature and the ability to maintain a calm demeanor.
• Adept at maintaining the security of sensitive and confidential information.
• Ability to communicate and work effectively with others. Ability to provide excellent customer service.
• Maintain regular and punctual attendance.

Required Education & Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent education.
• Three years of customer service or administrative experience.
  • Associate’s degree in a related field may substitute for one year of the required experience.
  • Bachelor’s degree in a related field may substitute for two years of the required experience.

Preferred Education & Experience

• Associate degree in public health, biological science, nursing or related field.
• One year of experience in a community health setting.
• One year of experience in disease investigation, public health, healthcare, community health, or communicable disease surveillance.
• Clinical and patient education experience.
• Phlebotomy skills and experience in specimen collection are highly desirable to support field investigations and clinical outreach efforts.

Licenses/Certificates

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Medical Assistant Certification preferred.
• Must obtain and maintain a valid CPR Certification within ninety days of employment.

Pre-Employment Requirements

• Must pass conditional post offer background investigation, motor vehicle record check, and drug screen.

Work Conditions

Work environment may contain potential exposure to infections, blood, and contagious diseases. Duties may be performed in stressful situations and with people acting under stress. May be required to work outside of normal business hours. Rotates day-call to cover surveillance activities with other CD staff. Some travel may be required; work may be assigned in various locations. Public Health employees are responsible for providing proof of vaccinations and/or tuberculosis testing as applicable to the specific position and must provide proof of completion of required vaccinations/testing or proof of initiation within sixty days of hire date.