Public Health Investigator - HIV/STI Investigations

County of Mecklenburg, NC • Charlotte, NC

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Perform duties related to controlling the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, HIV infection, and other public health risks within Mecklenburg County. This position, as the subject matter expert, is responsible for conducting personal interviews to obtain case-related information; educating clients regarding the disease process, treatment, prevention and legal requirements; and analyzing epidemiological information to determine the need and priority for follow-up activities.

Requirements

• Minimum of two years of related public health experience.
• Bachelor's degree in Public Health or related field.
• Requires a valid North Carolina or South Carolina Driver’s License
• Requires County Driving Privileges
• Knowledge of Principles and practices of public health
• Knowledge of Local resources and services
• Knowledge of The disease concepts of HIV infection, AIDS, Syphilis and other STDs
• Knowledge of Person-centered planning
• Skills in Client interviewing, disease management, and client centered counseling
• Skills in Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Skills in Basic computer programs, word processing, and data entry, and job specific software
• Skills in Establish rapport and effective communication successfully among culturally diverse populations
• Abilities in Applied Learning: Assimilating and applying new job-related information in a timely manner
• Abilities in Collaboration: Working effectively and cooperatively with others; establishing and maintaining good working relationships
• Abilities in Communication: Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the information provided
• Abilities in Leveraging Diversity: Working effectively with individuals of diverse cultures, interpersonal styles, abilities, motivations, or backgrounds; making the most effective use of the capabilities, insights and ideas of all individuals
• Abilities in Patient Education/Health Promotion: Supporting, explaining, and instructing patient and patient’s family in understanding the clinical procedures and equipment used to facilitate optimum health status; promoting the lifestyle changes required of the patient and the patient’s family to achieve optimum health status
• Abilities in Patient Relations: Meeting patient and patient family needs; taking responsibility for a patient’s safety, satisfaction, and clinical outcomes; using appropriate interpersonal techniques to resolve difficult patient situations and regain patient confidence
• Abilities in Safety Intervention: Having knowledge of conditions that affect patient, self, and/or employee safety under normal conditions and conditions that occur in crisis situations; skilled in identifying conditions that might cause health or safety hazards and takes action to remove such hazards; understands all aspects of providing a safe environment for patient, self, and/or others in crisis
• Proficient in various computer applications including Microsoft Office Suite

Nice To Haves

• Preferred completion of Centers for Disease Control Disease Intervention Specialist Training
• Preferred completion of North Carolina Fundamentals of Disease Investigation
• Preferred completion of Fundamental of Disease Intervention & North Carolina Electronic Disease Surveillance System Training (FDI/NCEDSS)

Responsibilities

• Locate, notify and counsel clients about positive laboratory test results
• Interview clients with abnormal laboratory test results to provide information, risk reduction planning and to notify them of treatment recommendations
• Refer clients with abnormal laboratory test results to appropriate medical services
• Arrange for and ensure testing, treatment as needed on partners and suspects exposed to clients testing positive for HIV/STD's
• Locate, notify and counsel contacts who have been exposed to or at risk for HIV/STDs
• Enforce disease control measures as appropriate
• Develop criteria for step-by-step procedures to identify infections
• May be required to staff shelters in the event of a disaster

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees