Disease Intervention and Congregate Care Specialist

Summary: Provides identification, investigation, surveillance, and reporting of communicable diseases. Performs field investigations as needed. Maintains collaborative relationships with congregate care facilities to provide prevention, mitigation, and outbreak control guidance and resources.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Assist with communicable disease investigations and outbreaks. Assists with onsite review of facilities and procedures; interviewing patients, healthcare providers, and others involved. Assists in collection of data from local agencies and/ or other health entities.

Initiates epidemiological investigation and surveillance in accordance with IDPH rules and regulations, CDC guidelines, and professional judgment.

Reviews medical records and laboratory reports to obtain communicable disease diagnosis and treatment with appropriate follow-up.

Communicates with medical providers, hospitals, congregate care facilities, other health departments, and colleagues regarding program and project activities.

Works collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team to deliver comprehensive services in a variety of settings. Identifies and establishes rapport with key organizations/individuals in the community.

Supports congregate care facilities with development and maintenance of infection control and prevention policies, procedures, training, and programs.

Serves as the primary contact for all communicable disease outbreaks.

Conducts confidential interview and investigations of those diagnosed with or suspected of having communicable diseases. Initiates and discusses sensitive issues with clients that potentially might have life-altering consequences. Discusses and educates on client responsibilities related to disease transmission and prevention education.

Provides program information and assistance to individuals and groups in an outreach capacity.

Assumes responsibility for professional development and job-related competencies. Utilizes sound judgment in communications with individuals within and external to TCHD.

Attends training and meetings as required. Serves as a member of various committees as needed. Participates in emergency response drills, exercises, and actual events in an Incident Command role. May be expected to respond to threats to the public's health, work hours outside regularly assigned hours, and perform duties which are different than routine work responsibilities.

Collaborates in the development of and contributes to individual, team, and TCHD-wide quality improvement and evaluation activities.

Assists in PPE allocation, distribution, and respirator fit-testing as needed. Documents and maintains confidential client records.

Adheres to established data collection procedures with attention to detail.

Reports allegations of abuse, neglect, and related incidents according to federal and state guidelines. Serves as a member of the TCHD Epi Team.

Assists in training new staff as assigned. Other duties as assigned.

Current Openings for Disease Intervention and Congregate Care Specialist Jobs at Tazewell County