Public Health Program Specialist II

City of Austin

1d • $24 - $27 • Hybrid

About The Position

Under general supervision, provide program-specific outreach and/or investigation activities of communicable diseases. This role involves counseling individuals on the prevention of communicable diseases such as HIV, STIs, and TB, conducting fact-finding interviews, and referring citizens to appropriate agencies or programs. The specialist will answer citizen questions, provide assistance, conduct public health investigations, and counsel physicians, laboratories, and clinics about disease reporting requirements. Researching information, compiling data, and preparing reports are also key duties. The position requires performing program-specific outreach activities like TB, HIV, and STI education, testing, and counseling, as well as phlebotomy and specimen collection. Coordination with other agencies and personnel, and assisting in training less experienced personnel are expected. Some positions may require meeting patients at home, work, or elsewhere for testing or interviews. The Public Health Program Specialist II contacts partners and provides case management on patients, follows up with clients to ensure they are receiving proper care, counsels individuals on prevention of sexually transmitted infections, and works to create a plan of action for risk reduction techniques for patients. This role also involves training and monitoring new hires for the program and providing quality assurance duties as assigned by supervision.

Requirements

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university plus one (1) year of experience in public health outreach/ investigation or related field.
• Related experience may substitute for education up to a maximum of four (4) years.
• Valid Texas Class C Driver’s License at the time of hire and during employment, as required by position.
• Knowledge of general public health programs, specifically those related to communicable disease.
• Knowledge of laws and regulations concerning communicable diseases prevention and control.
• Knowledge of laws and regulations concerning communicable disease control.
• Skill in prioritizing tasks and time management.
• 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.
• External New Hires must meet the City of Austin's Driver Record Evaluation (DRE) requisite.
• Applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months.

Nice To Haves

• Previous experience in public health follow-up and or health outreach.
• Knowledge of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STI), including modes of transmission and prevention methods.
• Phlebotomy trained/willing to be trained in phlebotomy.
• Experience working with multi-disciplinary teams.
• Experience working independently in the community environment.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Access, Excel, Word and Outlook)
• Valid Texas Driver license.

Responsibilities

• Counsel individuals on prevention of communicable diseases e.g. HIV, STIs, TB, etc.
• Conduct fact-finding or informational interviews.
• Refer citizens to appropriate agency or program.
• Answer citizen questions and provide assistance.
• Conduct public health investigations as required by position and/or program.
• Counsel physicians, laboratories, clinics, etc. about disease reporting requirements.
• Research information as requested or needed.
• Compile data/information and prepare reports.
• Perform program-specific outreach activities such as TB, HIV, STI education, testing and counseling.
• Perform phlebotomy and specimen collection
• Coordinate activities with other agencies/personnel as needed.
• Assist in training less experienced personnel.
• Provide public health follow up and linkage to care activities as required by position.
• Contact partners and provide case management on patients.
• Follow up with clients to ensure they are receiving proper care.
• Counsel individuals on prevention of sexually transmitted infections.
• Create a plan of action for risk reduction techniques for patients.
• Train and monitor new hires for the program.
• Provide quality assurance duties as assigned by supervision.

Benefits

• Low-cost medical, dental, vision
• Paid leave time
• Highly competitive retirement plan
• Training opportunities
• Professional development support for continuing education, licenses, and certifications
• Tuition reimbursement program
• Wellness programs
• On-site fitness centers
• Mental health support

What This Job Offers

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