Disease Intervention Specialist - Clinical Health Services

Fort Bend County is ranked as one of the fastest growing counties in the nation. We have capitalized on not only the creed of our location, but on the "quality of life" for our families to call home. Our employees are the key to our success and the heartbeat of our foundation. The Diversity and inclusivity of our community is our strength and at the forefront of a workplace environment welcoming to all.

JOB SUMMARY

Responsible for promoting public health and awareness of infectious diseases within the community and collaborates with medical providers, and health care systems to ensure patient evaluation and treatment for patients and partners of patients with HIV/STI infections and other communicable diseases. Participates in planning of programs, policies or objectives for own work group and department.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Identifies and responds appropriately to unsafe situations in the field. Participates in event based and targeted testing, screening, or outreach. Administers, and/or delivers testing, test results, and/or treatment to clients. Collects or transports patient specimens as appropriate. Facilitates transportation to the clients' clinic appointments as appropriate. Reviews available case information and conduct case analysis to determine case priority level, disease staging classification, additional steps for intervention, and/or to determine if expansion of an investigation is warranted. Determines disease intervention time frames, procedures, and objectives based on specific diagnosis. Recognizes or address gaps in information elicited and conduct client interviews to collect necessary information. Utilizes data as a resource when conducting investigations.
• Collaborates with providers to ensure entry into care and continuity of care based on individual client needs. Provides health education presentation on information pertinent to the program and services. Serves as a local source for public health information to community and providers. Conducts and contributes to provider and laboratory education, health department improvement activities and other means to improve quality of care.
• Conducts investigations using various methodologies such as field interviews, record reviews and electronic tools. Documents interventions in a timely and accurate manner. Maintains confidentiality of client and protected health information. Maintains compliance with HIPAA requirements
• Collects and reviews client and community information using various investigative techniques including interviewing of clients and contacts. Assesses and prioritizes intervention activities based on client needs and program priorities.
• Reviews information from surveillance systems, management systems, and/or community surveillance information. Conducts data entry of client interviews and investigation activities to identify emerging issues with client population.
• Verifies the clients identity during client encounters or prior to disclosing confidential information to the providers. Notifies and educates clients concerning test results, disease exposure and other relevant health information. Conducts comprehensive interviews and re-interviews employing effective communication skills to elicit contacts that may have been exposed to an infectious disease. Informs clients of importance of seeking care and refer them to the appropriate community, medical, or other resources. Gathers information of personal risk history and third parties at risk who may have been exposed to disease. Identifies client barriers to needed interventions when conducting partner/contact notification, and/or coordinate solutions to the barriers.
• Verifies clients received testing, adequate treatment, and follow up services as appropriate to specific diagnosis. Provides clinical testing and treatment follow-up services based on recommendations for their specific diagnosis, based on state/local protocols and CDC recommendations or guidelines. Supports public health efforts to ensure patients maintain isolation and/or quarantine including legal orders if required. Participates in preparedness training. Supports health emergencies and outbreak response initiatives by participating in interventions and active data collection.
• Participates in activities and duties related to emergency management during a local state of disaster as directed by appropriate county managers.

REQUIREMENTS

• Skilled in data entry.
• Organizational skills; ability to prioritize own work.
• 3 years job related experience in communicable disease and public health.
• Ability to interpret policies and to implement procedures.
• Good computer and typing skills; knowledge of computer applications.
• Bachelor's Degree in Public Health or related field (4 years of job related experience may be substituted for the degree in addition to the 3 year job related experience requirement).
• Good verbal and written communication; strong interpersonal skills; ability to interact and deal effectively with the public and all levels of employees.

SALARY RANGE $17.25 - $21.57 hourly based on qualifications

CLOSING DATE Upon filling position

All full-time and part-time employees are members of the Texas County District Retirement System (TCDRS). Full-time employees also enjoy a wide-range of great benefits.

Fort Bend County is an equal opportunity employer, committed to non-discrimination in employment on any basis including race, color, religion or creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy status (including childbirth and related medical conditions), national origin, ethnicity, citizenship status, age (40 and over), physical or mental disability, genetic information, protected military and veteran status, political affiliation or beliefs, or any other classification protected by state, federal and local laws, unless such classification is a bona fide occupational qualification.

For more information on Fort Bend County's Title VI / Nondiscrimination Statement, visit www.fbctx.gov/comply

To be considered for employment, all interested candidates should complete the required Fort Bend County online employment application located at www.fortbendcounty.jobs