Disease Research & Intervention Specialist - Tuberculosis; TB

Overview

Public Health Tuberculosis (TB) Program is seeking a motivated and community-focused Disease Research & Intervention Specialist (DRIS) to join a multidisciplinary team dedicated to achieving a TB-Free King County. This role is well suited for someone who is passionate about public health and working directly with diverse communities to improve access to prevention and care.

The DRIS conducts one-on-one interviews and gathers information to support contact investigations, including household screening and follow-up. The role coordinates with internal partners and external providers, such as primary care providers, to support timely evaluation for high-risk contacts.

Commitment To Equity and Social Justice

Named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation s history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.

The county government has a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all – in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from all communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.

We recognize that structural racism consists of principles and practices that cause and justify an inequitable distribution of rights, opportunities, and experiences across racial groups. Since declaring Racism is a Public Health Crisis in June 2020, King County and Public Health committed to being intentionally anti-racist and accountable to Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities.

To learn more, please visit the King County equity page. (

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URL has been included in the original posting text.)

• Conduct detailed interviews with patients/families to identify high risk and close contacts and to gather relevant information
• Identify active cases among contacts who may have symptoms suggestive of TB
• Conduct TB screening: symptom assessment, and blood draws or TB skin tests in clinic or in the field
• Follow up test results and call patients for follow up care
• Provide education and treatment as necessary
• Help patients and families in scheduling appointments and navigating the healthcare system
• Understand and experience navigating complex systems and make linkage to support clients and families
• Knowledge of how to build rapport and work with families in a culturally appropriate manner
• Perform data entry in Epic and Treats
• Provide counseling and support to address patient concerns, stigma and other psychosocial factors
• Community resource connection support
• Provide direct transportation for clients/families or transportation linkages
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team including nurse case managers, health outreach aids, epidemiologists, and the community prevention unit to ensure thorough and efficient contact investigation
• Other duties as assigned

• Required:
• Knowledge of communicable diseases
• Phlebotomy (blood draw) skills
• Understanding of basic laboratory and medical terminology
• Strong interviewing, communication, and teamwork skills
• Ability to organize work, manage time effectively, and handle multiple investigations
• Experience working with diverse communities and a commitment to culturally responsive and equitable practice
• Proficiency in accurate data entry and documentation, and the ability to summarize investigation findings and share with the team
• Valid WA State Driver License is required.
• Documentation of current BLS CPR certification required.

• Desired:
• Proficiency in a language other than English
• Experience working in a local or state public health setting
• Community outreach work

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