Health Technician; Disease Investigator

PLEASE NOTE - This position may require temporarily relocation to other TONHC Facilities:
Sells Hospital, Santa Rosa Health Center, San Simon Health Center, and San Xavier Health Center.

The Health Technician (Disease Investigator) provides a variety of support duties associated with disease investigation and surveillance for Sexually Transmitted Diseases and other communicable diseases, as well as other health promotion activities.

This position is located within the Tohono O'odham Nation Health Care, Sells Hospital, San Xavier Health Center, Santa Rosa Health Center, and San Simon Health Center. This position is assigned to the Public Health Nursing (PHN) Department. Incumbent works under the supervision of Director of Public Health Nursing and works closely with the Public Health Nurse.

(Depending on the area of assignment, an incumbent may not be required to perform some of the duties listed below):

• Sets-up and maintains a patient registry for the Public Health Nursing department. Manages program data entry. Maintains records and reporting systems per established clinic site and TONHC policies and procedures.
• Records patient health data into RPMS, EHR or other systems such as MEDSIS, PRISM; and research records for data entry.
• Utilizes systems for investigations and surveillances of communicable diseases.
• Makes home visits and explains sexually transmitted infections, complications, and treatments. Investigates possible disease sources by interviewing patients and contacts and reviewing associated information to local authorities, carriers, and all spread cases related to the disease incident.
• Makes home visits independently to selected patients to elicit information, explain informed consent, deliver and explain referrals and appointments.
• Delivers prescription medication, instructs the patient in proper medication use, and discusses possible side effects, as directed by the PHN or other primary care providers.
• Obtains urine specimens and performs venipuncture when necessary for specific laboratory tests. Takes vital signs; temperature, height, weight, blood pressure, and elicits history of the present complaint.
• Conveys health teachings and instructions of the PHN and other health care providers to patients using knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology. Communicates to health care providers the health problems, needs, and responses of patients.
• Conducts community outreach activities and public health presentations. Participates with local community groups in the planning of health activities.
• Participates in community vaccination events. Understands the non-clinical roles and assists where needed.
• Operates various GSA vehicles for home and clinic visits to carry out PHN department objectives. Conducts visits to remote communities and homes over sometimes hazardous roads or in hazardous weather conditions.
• Assists with inventory, purchasing, ordering, storing supplies, and ordering program supplies or promotional items.
• Maintains compliance with all mandatory training requirements.
• Maintains health knowledge through continuing education, staff meetings, workshops and trainings.
• Contribute to a team effort.
• Integrates concepts of Tohono O'odham cultural values, beliefs, and practices as appropriate.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

• Knowledge of the Tohono O'odham culture, customs, traditions, and geography.
• Knowledge of communicable diseases and medical terminology to facilitate understanding of patient's medical records and the collection of patient medical information for use by clinical providers.
• Knowledge of overall public health practices and procedures, the cause, spread, and control of communicable diseases; investigative and interviewing techniques and procedures; and community resources for public health education and treatment.
• Must possess in-depth knowledge in performing communicable disease investigations; applying interview techniques; documenting and reporting activities manually and using computer-based systems; and maintaining required confidentiality and security of information encountered.
• Ability to communicate effectively and interact with various personnel (tribal staff, other health care professionals, community members, outside agencies, etc.) and maintain working relationships.
• Must possess excellent knowledge of patient confidentiality policies and Privacy Act, abiding by all…