JOB TITLE: DISEASE INTERVENTION SPECIALIST TRAINEE

JOB CODE: 39220

SERIES NATURE OF WORK: The Disease Intervention Specialist job series describes work in controlling communicable diseases.

DEFINITION: This is specialized trainee level public health work in the control and prevention of communicable diseases.

An employee in this job participates in training assignments designed to develop competency in investigating disease cases and counseling individuals diagnosed with or at risk for communicable diseases. Work involves participating in identifying disease cases and locating infected individuals (clients) and any contacts who may have been exposed; observing and participating in interviewing and counseling clients and contacts in order to learn and become familiar with interviewing and counseling techniques; and participating in documenting completed investigations. Work also involves participating in various activities to support the control and prevention of communicable diseases, and collecting and shipping biological specimens for testing. Work may be performed at varying client locations or outdoors and may involve exposure to unsanitary or vector-infested locations. Training consists of formal, informal, and on-the-job training provided by the supervisor or a higher level public health professional. As training progresses, an employee will be involved in more difficult assignments and may be afforded additional independence on less complex assignments. The supervisor assigns work, provides preliminary instructions, and reviews work in progress and upon completion for quality, adherence to established standards and instructions, and professional development.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.):

• Participates in utilizing electronic disease surveillance systems and other sources to determine incidence of and exposure to communicable diseases, such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and sexually transmitted diseases.

• Participates in conducting sensitive interviews to gather health information from clients and contacts, some of whom may have behavioral problems, addictions, or hostility to testing, counseling, and follow-up.

• Participates in counseling clients and contacts to explain the benefits of risk reduction methods and to encourage behaviors that promote public health.

• Refers clients and contacts to health treatment sources.

• Participates in coordinating with community and health organizations to implement prevention and control measures.

• Updates local community organizations and agencies on emerging local outbreaks and risk factors.

• Participates in providing technical assistance on disease case reporting to laboratories, health care facilities, and health care practitioners.

• Reviews case reports and data, inputs case data, and assists in preparing reports.

• Participates in choosing testing, interview, outreach, and health promotion methods,

which requires consideration of cultural, social, and environmental settings.

• Performs venipuncture for serologic tests.

• Assists with identifying organizations and soliciting their participation in outreach,

education, and testing services for at-risk populations or geographic areas of high

disease burden.

• Assists with scheduling and conducting health clinics.

• Travels frequently within the health district to conduct disease investigations,

transport specimens, and to meet with clients and contacts at their homes, shelters,

emergency or institutionalized housing, and temporary/transient housing.

• Transports clients to clinics or other care facilities for treatment as necessary.

• Operates motor vehicles.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of individual and group behavior.

• Knowledge of social and economic conditions.

• Ability to analyze and interpret numerical information.

• Ability to read and interpret rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

• Ability to operate a motor vehicle.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledges,

Skills, and Abilities):

• Four years of paraprofessional experience which includes two years of

paraprofessional social services, human services, health services, or public health

experience;

or

• A bachelor’s degree in health sciences, behavioral sciences, or a related field;

or

• An equivalent combination of experience and training.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:

• All positions require possession of an active PA non-commercial Class C driver’s

license or equivalent.