Communicable Disease Investigator

Job Description:

Communicable Disease Investigator

Description

Current vacancy with the Health and Human Services Agency, Environmental Health Division, located in Tulare. This recruitment will establish an employment list to fill current and future vacancies. The anticipated life of the employment list is six months.

Typical Duties

DUTY SAMPLE

Investigate cases of communicable diseases, make referrals, provide presentations, and maintain records; conduct interviews of a highly personal nature with communicable disease patients; supervise, train, and maintain standards of practice and evaluating employee performance and competency; conduct follow-up interviews and provide counseling to ensure compliance with case management program is being followed. Perform field investigations of a technical and sensitive nature which involves elicitation of contacts for referral to appropriate medical and diagnostic facilities for assessment, examination, and treatment; provide informational and educational presentations to health care professionals, community groups, and high-risk individuals regarding communicable diseases, effects, and prevention; develop and maintain effective working relationships with federal, state and local health agencies and professionals; monitor health care providers to assure compliance with communicable disease reporting laws; obtain case medical records for the documentation of intervention and epidemiologic surveillance data; review documentation for accuracy, completeness, and consistency; prepare case narratives, memos, correspondence, and other documentation; assess risk category and apply protocol for each risk category; write reports for program evaluation, prepare narratives, memos, correspondence and other documentation; participate in regular program meetings and trainings such as weekly case reviews, communicable disease training, and others deemed necessary; may draw blood in the course of field investigations when necessary, and as pertaining to license or certifications; advise on the interpretation and application of laws, ordinances, regulations, and policies; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; address and resolve inter-professional and intra-disciplinary problems; may provide outreach to coordinate health, behavior health, and social services in order to improve the health outcome in the community; assist in the development, implementation, and ongoing refinement of care coordination and policies and procedures in collaboration with multi-agency work group; support outbreak response activities.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in public health, behavioral, or life sciences or related field from an accredited college or university OR associate’s degree in public health, health sciences, behavioral health, life sciences, or a related field from an accredited college or university

Experience : Two (2) years’ experience in the control and prevention of communicable diseases or medical field.

Knowledge of: Programs applicable to general disease control; interviewing, counseling, and investigating methods and techniques; general medical terminology; math sufficient to maintain statistical records; filing and record keeping systems.

Skill/Ability to: Work and communicate effectively with people of various education and socioeconomic backgrounds by respecting beliefs, interpersonal styles and behaviors of both clients and co-workers; operate contemporary office equipment inclusive of computer, keyboard, and all applicable electronic equipment; practice excellent and sensitive interpersonal, cultural sensitivity, and interviewing skills such that they can build and maintain trust with patients and contacts; be able to independently manage workload that includes reaching out to contacts over the phone, maintaining spreadsheets, and data entry; work and communicate effectively with people of various education and socioeconomic backgrounds by respecting beliefs, interpersonal styles and behaviors of both clients and coworkers; conduct interviews of a highly personal nature; conduct technical investigations including tracing and locating suspects; prepare, organize, and give presentations to the public; organize work, establish priorities, and work independently; collect information, analyze data, draw conclusions, and make appropriate recommendations for effective course of action; read and comprehend laws, rules, and regulations; arrange for medical testing and treatment; establish rapport and work cooperatively with a variety of persons with various lifestyles, cultural, socioeconomic, and educational backgrounds; write correspondence and reports using correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling; maintain confidentiality of patient/client information; retain and recall pertinent information such as regulations and client data; adjust to changes in work loads and coordinate work with others under stress of deadlines; organize work effectively; provide effective staff management through supervision, training, coaching, and performance management; complete multiple priority projects with strict deadlines within a fast-paced environment; work a flexible schedule including evening and weekend hours when participating in outreach events.

DESIRABLE EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge of : Clinical and laboratory operations; local procedures of enforcement in obtaining compliance with public health laws and regulations; local medical and community resources available to communicable disease patients; health education methods and techniques for the advocacy of communicable disease prevention.

Skill/Ability to : Read, write, and translate Spanish or other second language if required.

License of Certificate:
Possess a valid California Department of Public Health Certified Phlebotomy Technician license or a valid California Department of Public Health professional license that includes phlebotomy in the scope of practice (i.e., physicians, nurses, clinical lab scientists); Certification courses in HIV and STD disease intervention and counseling.

Additional Information

Conditions of Employment

Candidates selected will be required to pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol screening. Additionally, a background investigation may also be conducted, which may include a re-investigation every 10 years for some positions. An Employment Eligibility Verification using E-Verify may be required on the first day of employment for some positions. Some job classes may also require a physical exam.

College Cost Reduction Access Act

This may be a qualifying position for student loan forgiveness through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA). Only student loan payments made after October 1, 2007 and in a qualified repayment plan are eligible. For more information you are encouraged to speak with your student loan servicer or visit: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service .

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Bargaining Unit 6

The information listed is a general summary of benefits. These provisions do not constitute an expressed or implied contract and are subject to change.

Benefit Amount: An annualbenefit amountis provided and may be applied towards health insurance premiums (medical, dental, vision andlife).This benefit is pro-rated and paid on a pay period basis (24 pay periods).

Health Insurance: A choice of PPO and HMOmedical plans which include PPOand HMO dental plans andinclude dentalandvision coverage. Dependent coverage is available. Providers include Anthem Blue Cross, Kaiser Permanente, Delta Dental, andVision Services Plan (VSP).

Retirement: The retirement plan is a defined benefit plan administered pursuant to the 1937 Act County Employees Retirement Act and integrated with Social Security. In addition to ordinary retirement benefits, the plan provides disability and death benefits. Retirement contributions are made by both the County and the employee. The County has reciprocity with the State of California, contracting PERS agencies, and all County 1937 Act Retirement Systems.

Paid Holiday Leave: 12 set days and 1 personal holiday.

Vacation Accrual:
2 weeks per year (0-3 years of service)
3 weeks per year (3-7 years of service)
4 weeks per year (7-11 years of service)
5 weeks per year (11+ years of service)
Limit of 300 hours.

Sick Leave Accrual: 12 days per year with unlimited accumulation, 50 hours of which may be used toward family sick leave.

Group Term Life Insurance and AD&D: $10,000; Provided by Standard Insurance Company.

Disability Insurance: Employees are covered by State Disability Insurance. The premium is paid by the employee.

Deferred Compensation: A voluntary deferred compensation plan is available.

To view more detailed descriptions of Tulare County's benefits, please view the Benefits section of our Web site at https://tularecounty.ca.gov/hrd/benefits-wellness/health-plans-active-employees/

The Provisions Of This Bulletin Do Not Constitute An Expressed Or Implied Contract And Are Subject To Change.

Closing Date/Time: 2/2/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$50,297.00 - $61,298.00 Annually