Public Health Program Spec III

City of Austin

3d • $24 - $28 • Hybrid

About The Position

Under limited supervision, lead program specific, outreach and/or investigation activities of communicable diseases. This role involves investigating, locating, interviewing, and linking out-of-care HIV positive individuals to appropriate medical care and other services. The position also requires coordinating investigation aspects with other agencies, training less experienced personnel, and counseling individuals on STD prevention. Follow-up with clients to ensure proper care, referring citizens to appropriate agencies, and answering citizen questions are key duties. The role includes conducting investigations on the origin and nature of epidemiological diseases, performing phlebotomy and specimen collection, and counseling physicians, laboratories, and clinics about disease reporting requirements. Additionally, the position involves researching and compiling data for written reports, assisting in statistical and data analysis to identify health inequities, and performing quality assurance duties. Some positions may require meeting patients at home or other locations for testing or interviews. This role provides leadership, work assignments, evaluation, training, and guidance to others and may substitute in the supervisor’s absence.

Requirements

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university plus two (2) years of experience in public health outreach/investigation or related field, one (1) year of which must have been working directly as an HIV/STD Disease Intervention Specialist.
• Related experience may substitute for required education with a maximum substitution of four (4) years.
• Valid Texas Class C Driver’s License at time of hire and maintain during employment, as required by position.
• Knowledge of general public health programs, specifically those related to communicable disease.
• Knowledge of the principles of communicable disease spread and prevention.
• Knowledge of laws and regulations concerning communicable disease control.
• Skill in prioritizing tasks.
• Skill in oral and written communications, especially interviewing techniques.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with City employees and the public.
• Skill in recording data from interviews and investigations accurately.
• Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in HIV/STD investigation as a Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS)
• Bilingual in English and Spanish
• Previous experience in working with diverse populations, such as LGBTQI, MSM, unhoused, etc.

Responsibilities

• Investigate, locate, interview, and link out of care HIV positive individuals to appropriate medical care and other services.
• Coordinate aspects of investigations with other agencies/personnel.
• Train and monitor less experienced personnel in the conducting of an investigation.
• Counsel individuals on prevention of sexually transmitted diseases e.g. venereal diseases, AIDS, etc.
• Follow-up with clients to insure they are receiving proper care.
• Refer citizens to appropriate agency or program.
• Answer citizen questions & provide assistance.
• Conduct investigations on the origin, nature, etc. of epidemiological diseases.
• Perform phlebotomy and specimen collection.
• Counsel physicians, laboratories, clinics, etc. about disease reporting requirements.
• Research/compile data/information and submit written reports.
• Assist in statistical and data analysis to identify health inequities and disparities.
• Provide quality assurance (QA) duties as assigned by supervisor, and as needed.
• Conduct public health investigations and interview HIV/STD patients in accordance with program and DSHS guidelines.
• Perform team lead duties when short staffed; giving DIS directives for action needed on current field records.
• Assess, plan, implement, monitor, and evaluate actions to meet client’s health needs.
• Counsel individuals on communicable disease prevention and risk reduction.
• Educate providers about DSHS reporting requirements and adequate treatment.
• Perform complex data entry into multiple databases.
• Train new staff in clinic, office, and field operations.
• Independently conduct field activity to locate contacts and collect specimens for testing.
• Complete monthly security training and quarterly PHEP and FEMA trainings.
• Maintain certification in phlebotomy, HIPAA compliance, CPR and first aid, and defensive driving.

Benefits

• Low-cost medical, dental, vision
• Paid leave time
• Highly competitive retirement plan
• Training opportunities
• Education assistance through tuition reimbursement program
• Financial and professional development support for continuing education, licenses, and certifications

What This Job Offers

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