Health Counselor

Virginia Information Technologies Agency•Portsmouth, VA

7d•$45,335 - $59,422•Hybrid

About The Position

The Portsmouth Health Department is seeking a full-time Public Health Counselor to provide essential disease intervention services in both clinical and community settings. This position independently identifies and contacts individuals known or suspected of exposure to communicable diseases—including chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV/AIDS, and other reportable conditions—and delivers client centered counseling, education, and linkage to care. Responsibilities include conducting case investigations, providing partner services, conducting field visits, providing risk reduction counseling, and following up to verify treatment completion and behavior change progress. The counselor also collaborates with medical providers, laboratories, pharmacies, and community organizations to strengthen referral pathways and support public health initiatives. This role responds to peak demands, participates in outbreak investigations, and supports community based prevention activities, including presentations, screenings, and outreach events. All duties performed by this position are critical functions of a local health department and directly support VDH’s mission to prevent the spread of disease and promote the health of all Virginians. The Public Health Counselor is an essential position whose work ensures timely intervention, accurate surveillance, and effective protection of the community’s health.

Requirements

Knowledge of and/or experience in public health practices, HIV, STIs (e.g., chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis), HBV/HCV, and other communicable diseases
Experience performing phlebotomy
Effective oral and written communication, organizational and decision-making skills
Ability to listen, understand and empathize in a culturally sensitive manner, and use motivational skills to build rapport with clients and engagement in disease intervention services
Ability to work with diverse populations in diverse settings
Ability to develop and make presentations
Ability to recognize, analyze and solve problems
Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations
Ability to conduct accurate data entry
Ability to maintain confidentiality
Ability to comply with program and data security policies and procedures
Ability to work independently during various hours and settings (e.g., field, non-clinical and clinical, office)
Experience working under pressure (e.g., meeting deadlines, managing competing priorities)
Possess skill or knowledge of case management
Basic computer knowledge/skills, including word processing, electronic mail and data base management
Bilingual skills are beneficial

Nice To Haves

Experience working in a social service, public health, or healthcare environment

Responsibilities

Independently identifies and contacts individuals known or suspected of exposure to communicable diseases
Delivers client centered counseling, education, and linkage to care
Conducts case investigations
Provides partner services
Conducts field visits
Provides risk reduction counseling
Follows up to verify treatment completion and behavior change progress
Collaborates with medical providers, laboratories, pharmacies, and community organizations
Responds to peak demands
Participates in outbreak investigations
Supports community based prevention activities, including presentations, screenings, and outreach events