Disease Intervention Specialis - San Angelo, United States - Texas Department of Aging & Disability Services

Description

Job Description:

Disease Intervention Specialis

Publ Hlth and Prevent Spcl II Under the supervision of the HIV/STD Program Supervisor, the Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS) position provides professional and technical services related to the treatment, control and prevention of HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs).

Establishes working relationships with public/private partners in health, to assure a clear plan to address community needs on HIV/STD counseling, testing and partner elicitation.

Conducts and facilitates provider trainings on HIV/STD incidence and prevention activities.

Works closely with program staff in the marketing of the program to community and professional groups, to encourage and/or improve interest in the program.

Duties are performed with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgement.

Essential Job Functions:

(45%)

Disease Intervention Activities:

Independently performs detection, intervention, reporting, surveillance, notification, and referral activities related to persons with HIV/STD infections and their contacts, at high risk for HIV/STD transmission.

This includes men who have sex with men, injection drug users, and other hard-to-reach and special populations, including, homeless persons, sex industry workers, transgender and intersexed persons, incarcerated populations, and persons whose primary language is not English.

Referral to pre-exposure prophylaxis for all contacts with nonreactive HIV test results. Performs field venipuncture, urine collection and conducts rapid HIV and Syphilis testing, according to Standing Delegation Orders (SDO).

Ensures statutory disease reporting, achievement of program performance standards, and abides by the DSHS DIS guidelines, DSHS HIV/STD Surveillance guidelines and HHS HR manual.

(40%)

Case Management Activities:
Completes all required tasks in order to achieve accurate and completed HIV/STD cases. These tasks may include, but are limited to, HIV/STD education, surveillance, reporting requirements, and individual indicators.

The DIS shall be familiar with the Outbreak Response Plan, the STD program objectives, the CDC Program Operation Guidelines for STD prevention and adheres to all relevant DSHS policies and guidelines.

(10%)

Community Education:

Serves as a technical consultant and resource to persons, by providing information on CDC/DSHS standards regarding the current testing, diagnoses and treatment of STDs and HIV.

The facilities involved can be:
health facilities, county correctional facilities, residential substance abuse facilities, and other community agency facilities.

May be involved with community action groups through participating in community screening events and health fairs as scheduled by the team lead/program manager.

5%)

Other duties as assigned:

but are not limited to - Assisting with other communicable disease activities such as immunization clinics and health fairs.

Actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations activation.

Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Safe operation of either a state-owned vehicle or personal vehicle is required to conduct state business and an acceptable driving record must be maintained in accordance with DSHS Policy OS-, Fleet Operations and Management & Procedures and standards developed by the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Compliance with DSHS Immunization Policy required: serologic evidence of immunity to, or documented evidence of vaccination against, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chickenpox), Tdap, annual vaccination against influenza and hepatitis B.

Knowledge Skills Abilities:

Knowledge or ability to gain knowledge of:

• All concepts of public health practices.
• Policy and Procedures of the Disease Investigation Specialist(DIS).
• Fundamentals of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD).
• Interview skills- ability to work with and establish rapport with clients from a wide range of backgrounds.
• Required Indicators and Audit Processes for DIS.
• Knowledge of HIV, AIDS, and STDs which includes; symptomatology, diagnostic techniques, recommended treatment, epidemiology, and the most current accepted control strategies.
• Standard software programs such as word processing, spreadsheets, database, presentation, email, and Internet.

Ability to:

• Maintain confidentiality.
• Have organizational skills.
• Work under time constraints with minimal supervision.
• Work effectively with diverse populations.
• Travel.
• Work in less favorable weather and geographical areas.