Disease Intervention Specialist

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Temple, TX

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Under the supervision of the Regional HIV/STD Manager and the guidance of the HIV/STD Team Leads, the Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS) conduct surveillance and public health follow up activities with people who tested positive for or who were exposed to HIV or other sexually transmitted infections (STI).  Public health follow-up activities include intensive in-person or over the phone interviews with people infected with or exposed to STIs, medical record reviews, calling medical providers, visiting with people at their home or work, and conducting case management to verify successful testing or treatment.  Activities require adhering to strict deadlines supported by extensive documentation. DIS also perform venipuncture (draw blood) in field settings. The work requires strong organizational skills, ability to adhere to tight deadlines, ability to effectively communicate with people from diverse backgrounds, and a thorough understanding of how STIs are spread. The work also requires driving throughout a 30-county area, typically during regular business hours, to meet with people in their home, at work, or other community locations.  Due to the nature of the work, DIS are regularly exposed to explicit sexual language and images. Strict confidentiality requirements must be maintained at all times.  Compliance with DSHS Immunization Policy required: serologic evidence of immunity to, or documented evidence of vaccination against, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chickenpox), Tdap, annual vaccination against influenza, and hepatitis B.

Requirements

• Knowledge of medical terminology related to HIV/STIs.
• Knowledge of HIV/STI’s including symptoms, diagnostic techniques, treatment guidelines, prevention methods and epidemiology.
• Knowledge of DSHS DIS Performance StandardsKnowledge of HHS/DSHS policies and procedures.
• Skill in verbal and written communication.
• Skill in data entry and word processing software.
• Skill in developing and maintaining effective and professional relationships with other organizations, community partners and across cultural and socioeconomic lines.
• Skill in handling difficult situations and delivering difficult health information.
• Skill in organizing and managing multiples tasks and deadlines.
• Ability to gather, assemble, correlate and analyze facts.
• Ability to perform assigned duties with minimal supervision.
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly and concisely.
• Ability to work with diverse populations and lifestyles without judgment.
• Ability to understand and interpret public health laws, rules, policies and regulations.
• Ability to perform (or be trained to perform) venipuncture.
• Ability to work effectively on a team and collaborate effectively with others.
• Ability to work within a team using tact, diplomacy and assertive communication.
• Ability to use available resources effectively to locate individuals named in investigations.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality at all times.
• Must possess a valid Class C Texas driver’s license, or equivalent license from another state.
• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university. Experience in public health or experience working with HIV or STD’s may be considered in lieu of education.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with conducting interviews, investigations, and/or requesting sensitive information over the phone preferred.
• Experience working with vulnerable or marginalized populations preferred.
• Bilingual preferred.

Responsibilities

• Core Public Health Follow up: Conducts in-person and phone interviews, re-interviews and cluster interviews with persons infected with HIV/STIs in accordance with DSHS DIS Performance Standards.
• Performs partner and cluster elicitation and notification to ensure all persons exposed to infections are informed, examined, and treated.
• Enters data into the agency’s information management system in accordance with established standards.
• Accurately completes epidemiologic and non-epidemiologic case management forms appropriately.
• Identifies, pursues, collects, and analyzes HIV/STI case information.
• Develops a case management plan for each HIV/STI case to enhance disease intervention outcomes.
• Documents case management activities and provides timely and thorough weekly updates.
• Performs active surveillance by routinely collaborating with public and private health care providers and laboratories to ensure disease reporting is in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.
• Field Activities: Conducts field investigations in accordance with DSHS DIS Performance Standards.
• Conducts in-person partner and cluster elicitation and notification.
• Performs venipuncture in the field as outlined in the DIS Performance Standards.
• Coordinates with other regional programs and external partners to facilitate access to testing and treatment for STIs.
• Surveillance: Conducts HIV/STI active surveillance activities.
• Provides technical support to medical providers, county health departments, PHR-7 public health clinics and other organizations providing HIV/STI screening, diagnosis, and treatment.
• Conducts follow-up with health care providers, laboratories, and health care agencies to identify cases, ensure timely treatment/diagnosis and reporting.
• Establish and maintain professional liaisons to support/encourage the required HIV/STI reporting.
• Other duties as assigned may include but not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Benefits

• DSHS offers insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level