Field Epidemiology & Disease Tracing Specialist

Merced County, CA; Merced (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Merced County is seeking a Community Health Specialist to investigate communicable diseases and trace contacts. The role includes interviewing, counseling, initiating treatment procedures, and ensuring follow-up for incomplete treatments.

Responsibilities extend to field investigations, planning educational activities, HIV counseling, and coordinating referrals. Some positions may require translation for non-English clients and potential lab sample handling.

Qualifications

• Equivalent to graduation from a two-year college with coursework in psychology or communications, physiology, anatomy and biology.
• Knowledge of basic epidemiology and communicable diseases.
• Ability to counsel, interview and collect data from clients.

Responsibilities

• Investigates reported cases of communicable disease and traces contacts.
• Records interview content and initiates treatment procedures.
• Locates patients with incomplete treatment and secures follow-up.
• Conducts field investigations, counsels patients and provides referrals.
• Plans educational activities and training programs.
• Provides pre- and post-HIV counseling including phlebotomy.
• May assist in clinics, collect and transport lab samples.
• May translate for non-English clients.
• May provide Targeted Case Management and outreach to Medi-Cal beneficiaries.
• Operate a computer and communicate effectively by phone or in person.

Skills

Epidemiology knowledge

Community health techniques

Anatomy & physiology

Counseling techniques

Data collection

Education

Two-year college degree coursework in Psychology or Communications; Physiology; Anatomy; Biology

Job description

Merced County is seeking a Community Health Specialist to investigate communicable diseases and trace contacts. The role includes interviewing, counseling, initiating treatment procedures, and ensuring follow-up for incomplete treatments.

Responsibilities extend to field investigations, planning educational activities, HIV counseling, and coordinating referrals. Some positions may require translation for non-English clients and potential lab sample handling.