Disease Intervention Specialist 1-2(STI)

Nunez Community College; Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

LA Department of Health is seeking a Disease Intervention Specialist 1–3 to conduct interviews and field investigations for STD/HIV prevention across Louisiana. You will locate contacts, educate patients, collect specimens, and partner with clinics and community organizations to expand surveillance and ensure treatment adherence.

The role requires proven disease investigation experience or a bachelor's degree, strong communication skills, and ethical integrity.

Qualifications

• Three years of experience in disease investigation and prevention activities; OR
• Three years of experience in investigatory work, social services, nursing, or as a medical laboratory technician or assistant; OR
• A bachelor's degree.

Responsibilities

• Conduct interviews with STD/HIV patients to collect case histories, identify and locate contacts, document exposure information, and maintain complete and confidential medical records.
• Perform field investigations and follow-up visits in homes, clinics, and high-risk neighborhoods to locate contacts, encourage treatment compliance, provide education, and document outcomes in confidential files.
• Provide patient and contact education on STD/HIV symptoms, transmission, treatment, and prevention, while offering counseling, referrals, and support to ensure continued medical care and follow‑up.
• Collect laboratory specimens using proper procedures, including drawing blood via syringe or venipuncture, and ensure accurate handling and documentation of test‑related information.
• Collaborate with healthcare providers and community partners—including clinics, hospitals, schools, prisons, and nursing homes—to support disease prevention, promote reporting compliance, and expand community‑based surveillance efforts.
• Support program operations and professional development by performing additional duties as assigned, attending trainings, and participating in workshops to ensure effective delivery of STD/HIV program services.

Skills

Disease investigation

Public health

Interviewing patients

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

The mission of the Louisiana Department of Health is to protect and promote health and to ensure access to medical, preventive, and rehabilitative services for all residents of the State of Louisiana.

Learn more about Louisiana Department of Health

Make a meaningful impact on public health across Louisiana. As a Disease Intervention Specialist 1–3 with the Office of Public Health, you’ll play a vital role in the fight against STDs and HIV by conducting field investigations, interviewing patients, locating and counseling contacts, and supporting communities through education and prevention. This position offers impactful statewide work giving you the opportunity to collaborate with clinics, healthcare providers, and community partners across the state. If you’re driven by purpose, skilled in communication, and passionate about protecting community health, this role puts you on the front lines of disease prevention and intervention.

An ideal candidate should possess the following competencies:

• Accepting Direction: The ability to be open and willing to follow guidance or instructions.
• Thinking Critically: The ability to analyze information objectively, identify connections across sources, and form logical, well supported conclusions.
• Using Data: The ability to collect, analyze, and use data to generate insights and inform decisions.
• Acting with Ethics and Integrity: The ability to make choices that reflect ethical standards, integrity and honesty, regardless of circumstances or personal benefit.
• Adapting to Change: The ability to demonstrate flexibility in thoughts, behaviors, and actions in response to evolving circumstances or unexpected change.
• Communicating Effectively: The ability to convey information, ideas, and emotions using structured communication methods that promote understanding and engagement.
• Demonstrating Business Acumen: The ability to apply business insight, data, and strategy to make informed decisions and achieve organizational goals.
• Demonstrating Emotional Intelligence: The ability to identify and understand emotions in oneself and others to use that understanding to manage one's behavior and relationships.
• Developing Performance: Builds the future potential of others by supporting long‑term growth, skill development, and career progression.
• Displaying Professionalism: The ability to uphold workplace standards through consistent conduct, responsible communication, and consideration of others.

Prerequisites:

• Three years of experience in disease investigation and prevention activities; OR
• Three years of experience in investigatory work, social services, nursing, or as a medical laboratory technician or assistant; OR
• A bachelor's degree.

The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.

Job Duties:

• Conduct interviews with STD/HIV patients to collect case histories, identify and locate contacts, document exposure information, and maintain complete and confidential medical records.
• Perform field investigations and follow-up visits in homes, clinics, and high-risk neighborhoods to locate contacts, encourage treatment compliance, provide education, and document outcomes in confidential files.
• Provide patient and contact education on STD/HIV symptoms, transmission, treatment, and prevention, while offering counseling, referrals, and support to ensure continued medical care and follow‑up.
• Collect laboratory specimens using proper procedures, including drawing blood via syringe or venipuncture, and ensure accurate handling and documentation of test‑related information.
• Collaborate with healthcare providers and community partners—including clinics, hospitals, schools, prisons, and nursing homes—to support disease prevention, promote reporting compliance, and expand community‑based surveillance efforts.
• Support program operations and professional development by performing additional duties as assigned, attending trainings, and participating in workshops to ensure effective delivery of STD/HIV program services.

Position‑Specific Details:

Location: Office of Public Health / Region 2‑BRCO / East Baton Rouge Parish

Appointment Type: This position will be filled as a Probationary appointment

Cost Center: 3262108002

Position Number(s): 112399

Career Progression: This position may be filled as a Disease Intervention Specialist 1 or 2 determined by the qualifications of the candidate selected. This position provides the opportunity to advance within this job series.

This organization participates in E‑verify, and for more information on E‑verify, please contact DHS at 1-888-464-4218.

LDH supports Louisiana’s commitment to being a State as a Model Employer (SAME) by promoting the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities.

Information on the Louisiana Works, Louisiana Rehabilitation Services is available here.

LDH is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to recruit a highly productive and diverse workforce and will provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and prospective employees. Employment decisions shall be based strictly on merit and without regard to religious or political beliefs, sex, race, or any other non‑merit factor.

Contact Information:

Shambrielle Pooler

[e-mail]

LA Department of Health (LDH)

Division of Human Resources

PO Box 4818

Baton Rouge, LA 70821

225-342-6477