Disease Intervention Specialist 1

STI; Tennessee; On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

STI in Shelby County, TN seeks a Disease Intervention Specialist 1 for a contract role housed in the Shelby County Health Department. The position involves conducting SUD screenings, assessments, and counseling, with outreach to prevent overdoses and disease spread.

You will build partnerships with community resources, document services, and coordinate referrals to treatment and recovery supports. Travel is required with mileage reimbursement; strong teamwork and compliance are essential.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; 18+
• Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent experience in related field
• One year of professional experience; graduate coursework may substitute for experience

Responsibilities

• Facilitate SUD screenings and assessments using validated tools.
• Provide crisis intervention and solution-focused counseling in health department settings.
• Deliver education to prevent overdose deaths and disease spread; engage in outreach.
• Build and maintain partnerships with community resources and SSPs; collaborate with ROps and treatment providers.
• Connect clients to services including mental health, substance use treatment, harm reduction, and recovery supports.
• Complete progress notes and maintain records to comply with contract, state, grant, and agency requirements.
• Attend team meetings and trainings; travel as required with mileage reimbursement.

Skills

SUD screenings

Crisis intervention

Education outreach

Community partnerships

Documentation

Microsoft Office

Bilingual Spanish

Education

High school diploma/GED

Bachelor's degree preferred

Related field experience

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Job Title: Disease Intervention Specialist 1

Location: SHELBY COUNTY, TN
THIS POSITION WILL SERVE IN SHELBY COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

Duration: 24+ Months
.

Since this position is housed in the Shelby County Health Department, the sub-vendor will need to be Robert Half Staffing.

RISE (Recovery, Information, Support, and Engagement) Navigator

Term: Contract position: up to 2 years

Anticipated Start Date: June 2, 2025

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/counties.

Client Linking 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.

Preferred: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university preferred; or equivalent extensive experience related to substance use, at-risk populations, social work, or psychological counseling (including mental health, correctional, or harm reduction).

One year of professional experience is required, but additional qualifying graduate coursework may substitute for experience on a year-for-year basis, up to one year.

Applicants with lived experience must have demonstrated self-directed recovery for a minimum of 24 consecutive months.

PREFERRED CERTIFICATIONS:

Begin the Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) certification process (preference to candidates who have already obtained the Peer Recovery Specialist certification). https://cprs.tn.gov/home

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES:

Collaborative team player with experience in peer services and leadership.

Knowledge of addiction recovery processes and recovery-oriented care principles.

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.

Strong customer service ethic.

Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.

Bilingual is preferred (Spanish and English).

NECESSARY SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

Applicants for this call may be required to:

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 Department of Health’s vulnerable persons registry and any abuse registry for any state in which the person has lived in the previous seven (7) years, the TDH Abuse Registry, the Tennessee Sex Offender Registry, and the National Sex Offender Registry. Applicants listed on of these registries will be disqualified.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

This position requires occasional moderate physical effort or periods of frequent light physical activity. Regular use of body members to work is expected.

OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS:

Possible exposure to communicable diseases and/or unpredictable behavior by clients.