The position is located at the California Department of Public Health Tuberculosis Control Branch (TBCB) in Richmond, CA. If selected, the candidate must reside within the state of California. Candidates living within 50 miles of Richmond, CA are required to work on-site up to four days per week. Candidates residing more than 50 miles from Richmond may work fully remote. Telework may be required for in‑person site‑based functions such as trainings, stakeholder meetings or other events as deemed appropriate. Telework discretion is at the department’s operational business needs and is subject to change per policy.
As a technical expert in tuberculosis (TB) control, the nurse consultant will provide clinical and case‑management consultation for patients with TB to ensure the best chance for cure for each case, to minimize adverse effects, and to halt the transmission of TB in California. The incumbent will be part of a multidisciplinary program liaison team for a broad geographic region within the state.
Responsibilities
- Provides technical expertise related to TB care and case management.
- Consults with a variety of health care providers, local health jurisdictions, laboratories, hospitals and staff to ensure quality of care for TB patients.
- Develops and interprets complex policies and clinical guidelines and objectives related to the control of TB.
- Leads projects related to the provision of services for TB patients.
- Analyzes licensing and practice policy issues for clinicians and allied health professionals.
- Conducts onsite evaluations of local health department TB programs, develops and coordinates effective action plans with the local health departments to meet the performance standards and metrics of the TB Indicators Project and other state and national objectives.
- Gathers and analyzes epidemiologic, programmatic and clinical data, and updates TB and multi‑drug resistant TB (MDR‑TB) protocols, project reports, data collection tools and templates and training modules, as needed.
Essential Functions
- 40% of time: Functions as a technical consultant to local health programs and facilities, serves as a project lead and may oversee multiple high‑visibility projects. Leads a multidisciplinary program liaison team for a broad geographic region. Develops and interprets policies and clinical guidelines related to TB control; provides expert oversight related to TB care and case management. Consults with and may provide onsite technical assistance for a variety of health care providers, local health jurisdictions, laboratories, hospitals and staff to ensure quality of care for TB patients. Oversees and leads large statewide projects related to the provision of services for TB patients. Analyses licensing and practice policy issues for clinicians and allied health professionals.
- 40% of time: Functions as a lead or resource and works on high‑complexity cases. Identifies patients with community‑acquired and health‑care associated infections as well as patients and employees with exposures to infectious or multi‑drug resistant TB (MDR‑TB) organisms. Performs or ensures all appropriate documentation, notifications and follow‑up activities in accordance with relevant policies and regulations. Oversees or performs highly complex analysis on programs. Consults with a variety of health care providers on high‑complexity TB and MDR‑TB patients. Consults on appropriate pharmaceuticals, drug doses, prevention of drug toxicity and monitoring of clinical progress. Obtains and reviews specimen culture results and monitors radiograph frequency guidelines. Develops and monitors project goals and metrics to evaluate the MDR‑TB Service. Performs or ensures all appropriate documentation, notifications and follow‑up activities in accordance with relevant policies, procedures, best practices, clinical guidelines and policies.
- 10% of time: Ensures policies and programs reflect new developments, updated regulatory requirements and TB best‑practice methodologies. Develops and delivers regular in‑service trainings, orientations and education for health‑care staff. Oversees or develops and presents TB educational and resource materials for providers, patients, families, local health department staff and the public. Advises management on highly complex issues in infectious disease control, including development of new practices and programs in clinical, educational and training areas. Provides clinical consultation to the multidisciplinary TB prevention and control team on case management, directly observed therapy and contact investigation in accordance with established policies, best practices and regulations. Conducts onsite evaluations of local health department TB programs and develops and coordinates effective action plans with the local health departments to meet state and national performance standards and metrics.
- 5% of time: Oversees or performs highly complex data analysis. Develops and delivers reports and presentations and collaborates on studies. Develops new infection control practices, protocols and policies. Gathers and analyzes epidemiologic, programmatic and clinical data, develops TB protocols, project reports, data collection tools and templates and training modules. Attends and presents at regional, state and national conferences.
Qualifications (Required)
- Bachelor's degree in a health‑related field and minimum five years of experience or equivalent combination of experience and training.
- Degree in a clinical sciences discipline (e.g., physician assistant, pharmacology, nursing, medicine).
- Advanced knowledge of clinical and operational issues in TB infection, prevention and control, including policies, surveillance and investigation methodologies, data collection, epidemiology, microbiology, patient care, lab techniques and related nursing issues.
- In‑depth knowledge of data management, analysis, research, reporting and documentation methods used in TB control and care, with ability to contribute to studies, investigations, reports, presentations and development of new TB infection‑control protocols and policies.
- Advanced organizational and project‑management skills, ability to lead a team, prioritize tasks and see projects through from inception to completion on schedule.
- Advanced interpersonal skills, ability to develop informational materials, provide education, training and resources, and establish positive working relationships with patients, families, employees and outside personnel.
- Advanced written and verbal communication skills, ability to collaborate productively in a team environment with all levels of personnel, convey complex clinical information clearly and concisely, and present research findings, reports and analyses related to TB infection prevention and control and care.
- Strong ability to collaborate effectively with management and staff across programs and provide counsel and guidance on highly complex issues of clinical quality, efficiency and program development in all aspects of TB infection control and prevention.
- Ability to complete training and comply with all relevant employer exposure control plan requirements and annual blood‑borne pathogen training through UCSF.
- California driver’s license and insurance.
- Moderate travel required.
Preferred Qualifications
- At least five years of experience in a public health tuberculosis program at the state or local level.
Certification
- Active California RN license.