FORT BEND COUNTY DEPARTMENT: CLINICAL HEALTH JOB TITLE: DISEASE INTERVENTION SPECIALIST - GRANT FUNDED

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. This position is Grant Funded.

DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES: 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. 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. 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 refers 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. 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. 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. Verifies client 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. 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 conducts case analysis to determine case priority evel, 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 addresses gaps in informationelicited and conducts client interviews to collect necessary information. Utilizes data as a resource when conducting investigations. Participates in activities and duties related to emergency management during a local state of disaster as directed by appropriate county managers.

REQUIREMENTS: Bachelor's Degree in Public Health or related field 3 years job related experience in communicable disease and public health. Good computer and typing skills; knowledge of computer applications. Skilled in data entry. Good verbal and written communication; strong interpersonal skills; ability to interact and deal effectively with the public and all levels of employees. Organizational skills; ability to prioritize own work. Ability to interpret policies and to implement procedures. Valid Driver's License and current auto insurance/ field work.

Bilingual preferred Certified in Phlebotomy preferred

SALARY RANGE: $17.60 - $22.00 hourly based on qualifications

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.

Fort Bend County is committed to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodations to employees with disabilities. FBC complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and all other applicable federal, state and local laws regarding disability discrimination and accommodation.