Biological Scientist

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Requisition No: 866539

Agency:
Department of Health

Working Title:

BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST I -

DOH – Orange is a tobacco free agency.

NOTE:

Your responses to qualifying questions for this position must be verifiable by documentation provided through the electronic application process.

Summary:

This is a highly responsible public health position dedicated to the prevention and control of Tuberculosis (TB). The position serves as a Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS) working with experienced DIS to learn to work with infectious patients from diverse populations.

The incumbent performs field work calling for dependability, discretion, maturity, and sound judgment under the guidance of the DIS Supervisor. Field work includes epidemiological investigations, patient care, education, counseling, and referral services. Appropriate guidance, instruction and training on work methods, procedures, and techniques are provided. This position works under the supervision of the DIS Supervisor.

The DIS assists with the coordination of patient care. The DIS will assure patient adherence by learning to employ strategies to remove barriers (e.g., incentives, enablers, or referral to community resources). The DIS locates individuals who are delinquent, non‑compliant, or lost to medical supervision to ensure treatment is completed as prescribed. The DIS participates in case management meetings and notifies supervisor and case managers of potential problems with the treatment plan or patient adherence/compliance.

When appropriate, the DIS will conduct source case investigations, under the guidance of the DIS Supervisor, to determine origin of TB infection or TB disease in contacts. The DIS meets with supervisor daily to ensure knowledge of status of assigned duties.

Conducts field visits to perform directly observed therapy of medication. The DIS interviews, counsels, and educates all clients diagnosed with TB, suspected of having TB, and contacts to TB cases and TB suspects. The DIS maintains confidentiality of information and ensures completion of directly observed therapy within appropriate time frames. The DIS learns to assure patient adherence with a treatment plan by routine home visits for sputum collection, phlebotomy, patient counseling, and transportation of patients to the clinic for appointments.

Elicits and investigates contacts of cases for contact investigation, under the guidance of the DIS Supervisor and Lead DIS, in all arenas (including households, schools, workplaces, hospitals, etc.) and, if needed, administers Preventive Directly Observed Therapy. The DIS serves as a member of the field services team and supports team building and open communication. The DIS exhibits appropriate prioritization of assigned work and manages schedule independently.

The DIS maintains open communication with supervisors, nursing and provider staff. The DIS will be trained to assist the LTBI Nurse with tracking and managing all LTBI clients to ensure they come in for services and go into the field to locate them if they do not.

The DIS documents activities on appropriate forms and completes data entry of activities into electronic records and data management systems (PRISM). Documentation includes patient and contact activities, CL screenings, medication tracking log, time, travel, maintenance of schedules and patient list, and other assigned forms or data entry. All documentation is completed accurately and within departmental time frames.

Participates in the collection of data for surveillance purposes.

Works with private physicians, hospitals, clinics, laboratory personnel, public and private health related agencies, community agencies, institutions, and individuals in association with services related to TB prevention and control and consistent with programmatic objectives and key indicators.

Will be trained to administer and measure tuberculin skin tests (TST). Draws blood for IGRA for clients in the field (training will be provided if necessary)…