Disease Intervention Specialist

Job Information

• Title:
  
  Disease Intervention Specialist (Human Services Program Specialist)
• State Role
  
  Title:
  
  Prog Admin Specialist I
• Hiring Range: $52,500 - $57,500
• Pay Band: 4
• Agency:
  Virginia Department of Health
• Location:
  
  Dept of Health
• Agency Website:(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..gov
• Recruitment Type:
  General Public - G

The Disease Intervention Specialist is responsible for independently identifying and contacting persons known or suspected of transmitting or being exposed to communicable diseases such as syphilis, HIV, gonorrhea, viral hepatitis (VH) and other conditions in a culturally sensitive manner.

The Disease Intervention Specialist manages STD/HIV/VH cases to ensure that all partners and social contacts, exposed or at risk, receive adequate clinical management (testing, evaluation, and treatment), counseling and education on strategies for behavior modification to reduce health risks, and facilitate access to other needed services. Provides technical assistance to local health department personnel and health care providers on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) STD Treatment Guidelines, disease surveillance, and epidemiological methods.

As a subject matter expert, provides training and technical assistance to internal and external public health and community health partners. Assists other local health departments throughout the state during times of significant morbidity increases by helping develop and participate in outbreak response management for sexually transmitted diseases, as well as other communicable diseases of public health significance. Formulates intervention techniques, implements screening activities, performs partner counseling and referral services, and provides linkage to care and active referral services.

Provides technical assistance to district/local health department personnel and to health care providers on treatment and field-related methods. Verifies treatment for STD/HIV reported cases. Documents findings and makes recommendations to enhance case finding and reporting activities.

This position is located in the Eastern region of Virginia, primarily in the Hampton Roads metropolitan areas. The selected candidate may request to work from an alternate health department location in the Eastern region, pending availability of space and approval of the hiring manager. Overnight travel expenses will be covered by the employer. Occasional evening and weekend work are required, and a personal car is needed for fieldwork, with mileage being reimbursed.

The Virginia Department of Health offers 12 paid holidays, medical, dental, vision and life insurance, retirement plans (including 401a Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan) as well as sick, family/personal, and annual leave.

• Knowledge of and/or experience in public health practices, HIV, STIs (e.g., chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis), HBV/HCV, and/or other communicable diseases.
• Knowledge and/or experience with practices that support public health administration and/or disease reporting (e.g., service planning, service delivery, evaluation of principles and practices that support surveillance, quality assurance for public health initiatives).
• Knowledge and/or experience with data collection and/or management (e.g., collecting data, maintaining narrative documentation, ensuring data accuracy and integrity, and making data corrections)
• Ability to work appropriately with diverse populations in diverse settings
• Ability to build rapport with clients to encourage them to engage in sensitive conversations
• Experience…