Disease Intervention Specialist

Sub-Division: MCPHD

FLS Status: [[_CUSTOM
27]]

Marion County Public Health Department is an organization that celebrates diversity, and seeks to employ a diverse workforce. We actively encourage all individuals to apply for employment and to seek advancement opportunities. Marion County Public Health Department also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities as required by law. For additional questions please contact us at: hrmail .

A Disease Intervention Specialist I (DIS) is a public health professional that investigates and intervenes in the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV. Investigations involve client-centered interviewing, facilitation of partner services and contact tracing, collection and reporting of enhanced surveillance data, field work and specimen collection, collaboration with medical providers, and navigation of health care systems to ensure patient evaluation and treatment.

A DIS I is a DIS who applies a higher level of knowledge and expertise to the recurring casework and support functions of the DIS role, mainly focusing on gonorrhea casework. DIS I conduct investigations of higher complexity related to gonorrhea to assure that unusual or challenging circumstances are met with appropriate action and administrative guidelines are met. DIS I contributes to various program support activities, such as guiding new DIS through established training plans, conducting analysis of complex cases, assisting with the evaluation of program operations, providing leadership and mentorship within the DIS team, representing the DIS perspective in meetings with STD program leadership, and other tasks related to continuous quality improvement.

• Conducts public health investigations involving persons diagnosed with or exposed to reportable STDs, including HIV, to prevent further transmission of disease as required by program standards and guidelines established by local, state, and federal entities.
• Interviews clients diagnosed with STDs or HIV to provide education and elicit information that would lead to the testing and treatment of others who may be at risk for infection.
• Documents surveillance data and investigative activities in accordance with program standards for timeliness, accuracy, and completeness.
• Analyzes medical history and interprets laboratory test results to classify investigations and to ensure the delivery of appropriate medical care and treatment.
• Analyzes sexual, social, medical, and epidemiological data collected during investigations to determine source/spread relationships and identify exposure gaps and other indications that additional interventions are necessary to prevent further disease transmission.
• Conducts local field work necessary for assigned investigations by locating and motivating persons diagnosed with or at risk of infection to seek medical examination and treatment.
• Performs phlebotomy and facilitates other specimen collection for laboratory testing in a variety of settings.
• Collaborates with local health departments, community based organizations, health systems, and private 2 medical providers by promoting appropriate public health practices for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of STDs and HIV based on CDC recommendations and program guidance.
• Attends and participates in meetings and training activities to maintain high levels of proficiency and to assure the delivery of appropriate and high-quality investigative activities.
• Participates in community outreach activities, including screening events, health fairs, educational presentations, and other community events as needed.
• Participates in public health emergency preparedness exercises and in the response to public health emergencies, as directed.
• Participates in a minimum of two H.O.P.E. events (community service) totaling a minimum of eight (8) hours annually.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Attends assigned meetings, conferences, and in-services
• Participates in public health emergency preparedness exercises and in the response to public health emergencies, as directed;
• Participates in a minimum of two…