Disease Intervention Specialist

Telnet, Inc.; Newport, Northern (TN, KY); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Mileage reimbursement

Job summary

Telnet, Inc. in Newport, TN is seeking a Disease Intervention Specialist 2 for an 8-month contract to conduct SUD screenings, assess mental health and substance use, provide crisis counseling, and support linkage to care in community settings.

The role includes education and outreach to prevent overdoses and disease transmission, building partnerships with SSPs and treatment providers, documenting care, traveling with mileage reimbursement, and collaborating with a team to improve service

Qualifications

• Be at least 18 years old or older.
• High school diploma or GED or equivalent.
• Understanding and support for medication-assisted recovery practices.
• Ability to develop and sustain relationships with individuals and organizations.
• Familiarity with community-based recovery services in the area.
• Experience providing peer support and building effective relationships.
• Commitment to treating all individuals with dignity and respect.
• Proficient in active listening and asking supportive open-ended questions.
• Ability to maintain appropriate boundaries.
• Cultural competency; bilingual preferred (Spanish/English).

Responsibilities

• Facilitate Screening and Assessments: conduct SUD screenings and assessments; provide crisis intervention and counseling.
• Education and Outreach: deliver education to prevent overdoses and disease spread; distribute naloxone.
• Community Partnerships: build and maintain partnerships with community resources and SSPs.
• Client Linkage and Support: connect clients to mental health, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery services.
• Documentation and Record Keeping: maintain progress notes and referrals in records.
• Team Participation: attend meetings and trainings to improve services.
• Travel: travel as required with mileage reimbursement.

Skills

Active listening

Relationship building

Cultural competency

Bilingual (Spanish/English)

Boundary management

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Job title: Disease Intervention Specialist 2

Duration: 8 Months

Description:

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Facilitate Screening and Assessments: Conduct SUD screenings using validated tools, receive referrals, and perform evidence-based mental health and substance use disorder assessments. Provide crisis intervention and solution-focused counseling both in and out of health department settings.
• Education and Outreach: Deliver education aimed at preventing drug overdose deaths and the spread of communicable diseases, such as Hepatitis C and HIV. Engage in outreach at non-traditional organizations to identify clients in need of services. Distribute naloxone to clients.
• Community Partnerships: Build and maintain partnerships with community resources, including Syringe Service Providers (SSPs), Regional Overdose Prevention Specialists (ROPs), mental health agencies, and treatment providers. Foster linkages with other agencies in the assigned county/counities.
• Client Linkage and Support: Connect clients to a range of services including community mental health, substance use treatment, harm reduction, primary health services, and recovery support services. Disperse overdose education materials to clients and the public.
• Documentation and Record Keeping: Complete detailed progress notes, track referrals, and enter information accurately into record systems. Maintain records to comply with contract, state, grant, and agency requirements.
• Team Participation: Attend team meetings, case conferences, and relevant training sessions to support continuous improvement initiatives and enhance service delivery.
• Additional Duties: Perform other related tasks as required to meet the needs of the community and uphold agency standards.
• Travel: Travel is required (with mileage reimbursement).

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Be at least age eighteen (18) or older.
• At minimum, hold a high school diploma, General Equivalency Degree (GED) or equivalent.
• Understanding and support for medication-assisted recovery practices.
• Ability to develop and sustain relationships with individuals and organizations in the community.
• Familiarity with community-based recovery support services in the service area.
• Experience providing peer support and building effective relationships.
• Strong commitment to treating all individuals with dignity and respect.
• Proficient in active listening and asking supportive open-ended questions.
• Ability to maintain appropriate boundaries.
• Cultural competency and experience with diverse populations.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Bilingual is preferred (Spanish and English).

NECESSARY SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• Possess a valid driver's license, vehicle, and proof of insurance.
• Applicants agree to release all records involving their criminal history to the appointing authority. All contract employees will undergo a background check prior to their start date. A felony conviction will not automatically disqualify an applicant but will necessitate further investigation and review. If any records are identified, the applicant must provide written explanation and/ or documentation within seven days.
• Submit to a review of their status on the vulnerable persons registry and any abuse registry for any state in which the person has lived in the previous seven (7) year, the Abuse Registry, the Tennessee Sex Offender Registry, and the National Sex Offender Registry. Applicants listed on any of these registries will be disqualified.