Public Health Program Specialist II

City of Austin

3d • $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 and informational interviews, and referring citizens to appropriate agencies or programs. The specialist will also answer citizen questions, provide assistance, conduct public health investigations, and counsel physicians, laboratories, and clinics about disease reporting requirements. Responsibilities include researching information, compiling data, preparing reports, performing program-specific outreach (e.g., TB, HIV, STI education, testing, and counseling), performing phlebotomy and specimen collection, coordinating activities with other agencies/personnel, assisting in training less experienced personnel, and providing public health follow-up and linkage to care activities. Some positions may require meeting patients at home, work, or elsewhere for testing or interviews.

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.

Nice To Haves

• Previous experience in public health follow-up and/or health outreach.
• Knowledge of HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia including modes of transmission and prevention methods.
• Phlebotomy trained or 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).

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.
• Some positions may require employee to meet patients at home, work or elsewhere to perform testing or conducting interviews, as needed.
• 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.
• Works to create a plan of action for risk reduction techniques for patients.
• Trains and monitors new hires for the program.
• Provides quality assurance duties as assigned by supervision.

Benefits

• Low-cost medical, dental, vision
• Paid leave time
• Highly competitive retirement plan
• Training opportunities
• Tuition reimbursement program
• Professional development and financial support for continuing education, licenses, and certifications

What This Job Offers

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