JOB TITLE: DISEASE INTERVENTION SPECIALIST

JOB CODE: 39221

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

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

An employee in this job investigates disease cases and counsels individuals diagnosed with or at risk for communicable diseases. Work involves identifying disease cases and locating infected individuals (clients) and any contacts who may have been exposed; interviewing clients and contacts to obtain information concerning infections or exposure to communicable diseases; counseling clients and contacts on prevention and control measures and influencing them to take appropriate health action; referring clients and contacts to health treatment sources; and documenting completed investigations via written reports. Work also involves coordinating with community and health organizations to implement prevention and control measures; updating local community organizations and agencies on emerging local outbreaks and risk factors; providing technical assistance to laboratories, health care facilities, and health care practitioners; and collecting and shipping specimens for testing. Work may also include providing treatment or prevention regimens. Work may be performed at varying client locations or outdoors and may involve exposure to unsanitary or vector-infested locations. Work requires considering cultural, social, and environmental settings when choosing testing, interview, outreach, and health promotion methods. Work is performed independently within established guidelines and is reviewed upon completion for compliance with guidelines and for program effectiveness.

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.):

• Utilizes 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.

• Conducts 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.

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

• Obtains case information from physicians or laboratories.

• Provides HIV counseling and testing services, which may include viral load testing and operating a centrifuge.

• Performs venipuncture for serologic tests.

• Collects, prepares, and ships blood, sputum, urine, oral fluid, or other biological specimens for testing.

• Refers clients and contacts to federally qualified health centers, safety net providers, or other local medical providers for preventive health care or treatment.

• Based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) treatment guidelines, advises clinicians regarding appropriate treatments for clients and contacts diagnosed with communicable diseases.

• Maintains contact with clients to encourage and ensure adherence to treatment regimens.

• Reports on efficacy of prescribed treatment for individual client cases.

• Inputs case data into electronic tracking systems and prepares investigation reports, including for internet-based activities.

• Ensures disease cases are reported appropriately and provides technical assistance to clinical laboratories, health care facilities, and health care practitioners on reporting issues and procedures.

• Identifies potential outbreaks and prepares statistical reports on specific local outbreaks.

• Identifies at-risk populations using surveillance and epidemiological data.

• Identifies organizations and solicits their participation in outreach, education, and testing services for at-risk populations or geographic areas of high disease burden.

• Provides public health information outreach in partnership with community groups.

• Participates in scheduling and conducting health clinics to include: client registration, client risk assessments, pre- and post-test counseling, specimen collection, and general client preparation activities.

• Offers technical assistance to health care providers, community organizations, school staff, business leaders, and others through workshops, institutes, and public meetings to increase understanding and awareness of diseases.

• 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.

• Knowledge of community resources.

• Knowledge of interviewing and counseling techniques.

• Knowledge of data collection methods.

• 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):

• Successful completion of the Disease Intervention Specialist Trainee program;

or

• One year of professional experience performing outreach, investigation, or case management in a social services, human services, public health, or health services program, and 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.