DISEASE INTERVENTION SPECIALIST

Marion County Public Health Department; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 48,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Marion County Public Health Department seeks a Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS) to help prevent the spread of STDs. You will manage investigations, interview patients, and coordinate with health care providers in clinic, field, and community settings.

You will perform case management, conduct field outreach, and participate in training activities to strengthen the DIS team. A bachelor’s degree in Public Health or Sciences and relevant experience are required, with CDC training opportunities

Qualifications

• Requires bachelor's degree in Public Health or Sciences.
• Minimum two years DIS experience.
• CDC Passport to Partner Services training, Track D and E-VCA.
• Phlebotomy training within 8 weeks of hire with immunizations and blood-borne pathogens precautions.
• CDC’s HIV Counseling and Testing course.
• Demonstrated proficiency in case management and investigation per agency guidelines.

Responsibilities

• 30% Case Management of STD cases and investigations.
• 30% Clinical Shifts: interview patients and assist in diagnosis.
• 30% Field Work: investigate community spread and perform phlebotomy when needed.
• 10% Training and mentorship of DIS I team.

Skills

Public health knowledge

Interviewing

Field work

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Public Health or Sciences

Job description

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Sub-Division:MCPHD

Marion County Public Health Department is an organization that celebrates diversity, and seeks to employ a diverse workforce. We actively encourage all individuals to apply for employment and to seek advancement opportunities. Marion County Public Health Department also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities as required by law. For additional questions please contact us at: [e-mail] .

Job Role Summary

A Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS) is an investigator that intervenes in the spread of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs). Investigations involve managing reported, suspected and potential cases STDs through record searches, case documentation, interacting with health care providers, interviewing patients, and conducting field work.

Job Duties

30% Case Management: manage a task list of reported, suspected and potential cases of STDs

• Task list includes 2/3 of reported syphilis and HIV cases, 1/3 of reported gonorrhea and chlamydia cases
• Contact patients who have reported, suspected or potential infection via phone, email, social media, field visit, and referral letter
• Verify testing, treatment, and follow-up from patient and/or health care provider
• Document all case work per recommended agency guidelines

30% Clinical Shifts: interview patients in clinic

• Assist clinicians in diagnosis, recommended treatment and medical record searching
• Interview patients who have reported, suspected or potential infection to discuss education, risk reduction, Partner Notification Services and treatment plans
• Provide referrals and resources to patients in need of additional assistance
• Document all interviews per recommended agency guidelines

30% Field Work: investigate the spread of STDs in the community

• Establishes needs within a community for screening, education and outreach
• Designs and participates in community outreach activities that include screenings, health fairs, and educational presentations; screening venues may include neighborhoods, health-care facilities, correctional facilities, bars/clubs, or other settings likely to yield high numbers of cases of gonorrhea and chlamydia
• Performs phlebotomy procedures in the field and in a clinic setting for patients in need blood tests
• Collects urine or swab specimens in the field and in a clinic setting for patients in need of gonorrhea/chlamydia screening

10% Training and mentorship

• Provides training to DIS I team members in the form of mentorship, shadowing, hands-on training of systems and procedures, and providing feedback to Field Operations Supervisors
• Identify training and development for all DIS staff including conferences, round table discussions, webinars, seminars and certification

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• Other duties as assigned
• Attends assigned meetings, conferences, and in-services
• Participates in public health emergency preparedness exercises and in the response to public health emergencies, as directed;
• Participates in a minimum of two H.O.P.E. events totaling a minimum of eight (8) hours annually

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university in the field of Public Health or Sciences.
• At least two (2) years DIS experience.
• Previous completion of the following:
• Centers for Disease Control Passport to Partner Services training, Track D and E-VCA
• Phlebotomy training within 8 weeks of hire with appropriate immunizations and knowledge of blood-born pathogens’ precautions
• CDC’s course for HIV Counseling and Testing
• Demonstrated proficiency in case management and investigation per agency guidelines.

Licenses/Certifications Required

• Valid Indiana driver's license

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Language Skills

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as public health laws, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to speak effectively before groups of clients or employees of organizations.

Mathematical Skills

• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent as well as draw and interpret bar graphs and epidemiologic data.

Reasoning Ability

• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.
• Possesses basic computer skills including ability to utilize database, spreadsheet and word processing software
• Is available to work Monday and Wednesday evenings until 8:00 p.m.
• May be required to work other evenings and weekends periodically

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.