Disease Intervention Specialist 1-3

State of Louisiana; Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Louisiana Department of Health seeks a Disease Intervention Specialist to perform field investigations, interviews, and education in the STD/HIV program. The role focuses on identifying exposures, connecting people to treatment, and preventing spread of disease across Louisiana.

Ideal candidates will have three years of disease investigation or related experience or a bachelor’s degree, and demonstrate strong ethics, data use, and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Three years of disease investigation and prevention experience or related fields.
• Bachelor's degree qualifies for the role.
• Ability to work with data and maintain confidential records.

Responsibilities

• Conducts field investigations and interviews with patients to obtain case histories and exposure information.
• Identifies and follows up with individuals who may have been exposed to STD/HIV and maintains confidential case records.
• Performs field follow-up visits to monitor treatment recommendations and encourage medical care.
• Provides education and counseling on STD/HIV symptoms, treatment, progression, and prevention.
• Refers patients to STD/HIV clinics and healthcare providers for evaluation and treatment.
• collects blood specimens and maintains laboratory information in records.
• Conducts surveillance and outreach with providers and community partners to promote prevention.

Skills

Disease investigation

Interviewing patients

Data analysis

Communications

Ethics and integrity

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 Difference in Your Community and Across Louisiana! Join the Louisiana Department of Health’s STD/HIV Program and play a vital role in protecting public health through field investigations, patient interviews, education, counseling, and community outreach. This dynamic, statewide position offers the opportunity to connect directly with individuals, healthcare providers, and community partners while helping identify exposures, connect people to treatment, and prevent the spread of STD/HIV.

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 and 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 for others.

• 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:

• Conducts field investigations and interviews with newly and currently infected patients to obtain and document case histories, sexual partner information, exposure risks, and disease disposition.
• Identifies, locates, and follows up with individuals who may have been exposed to STD/HIV and maintains accurate, confidential case records and documentation.
• Performs field follow-up with STD/HIV cases and contacts, including visits to residences and high‑risk areas, to monitor treatment recommendations and encourage appropriate medical care.
• Provides education and counseling to patients and contacts regarding STD/HIV symptoms, treatment, disease progression, prevention, and the importance of follow‑up care.
• Refs patients and contacts to appropriate STD/HIV clinics and healthcare providers for medical evaluation, testing, treatment, and preventive services.
• Collects blood specimens using appropriate laboratory procedures, including venipuncture, and documents and maintains test and laboratory information in confidential medical records.
• Conducts surveillance and outreach with physicians, healthcare providers, schools, clinics, hospitals, correctional facilities, nursing homes, and other community partners to promote STD/HIV prevention and reporting.

Position‑Specific Details:

• Location: Office of Public Health / Region 2-BRCO / East Baton Rouge Parish
• Appointment Type: This position will be filled as aProbationary appointment
• Cost Center: 3262108002
• Position Number(s): 50455711
• Career Progression: This position may be filled as a Disease Intervention Specialist 1, 2, or 3 determined by the qualifications of the candidate selected. This position provides the opportunity to advance within this job series.

Shambrielle Pooler

[e-mail]

LDH Department of Health (LDH)

Division of Human Resources

PO Box 4818

Baton Rouge, LA 70821

225-342-6477

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.