What are the responsibilities and job description for the LTE Disease Intervention Specialist position at Dane County?
As an employer, we strive to provide a work environment where diversity and differing opinions are valued, creativity is encouraged, continuous learning and improvement are fostered, teamwork and open/honest communication are encouraged, and meeting customer needs through quality service is a shared goal. All employees must be able to demonstrate multicultural competence – the awareness, knowledge, and skills needed to work with others who are culturally different from self in meaningful, relevant, and productive ways. Applicants from traditionally underrepresented populations including women and racial and ethnic minorities are especially encouraged to apply.
DEFINITION
Disease Intervention Specialists (DIS) function individually and as part of a team to stop the spread of disease and infections that negatively impact the health and wellness of individuals and communities. Incumbents plan and participate in programs related to the prevention and control of various communicable diseases, conduct risk reduction outreach and education, and provide referrals to services. They provide outreach, education, counseling, and testing services to individuals at higher risk or groups experiencing disparate health outcomes related to communicable disease. Under the general supervision of a Public Health Supervisor and the professional oversight of Public Health Nurses, incumbents are responsible for following up on STI and other communicable diseases.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
Under the general supervision of a Public Health Supervisor, incumbents may work in one or more of the following areas:
Communicable Disease:
The Disease Intervention Specialist in Communicable Disease uses case investigation and contact tracing to prevent and control the spread of communicable diseases, including sexually transmitted infections. This position provides counseling to individuals diagnosed with a communicable disease and provides education on the spread and prevention of communicable diseases. The position provides outreach, education, counseling, and testing services for individuals and groups at high risk for communicable diseases. The position provides direct counseling services to individuals at risk, including partners and contacts of individuals with a communicable disease, and refers clients to related social service agencies as appropriate. The position develops and maintains related databases, reports, and records. This position maintains strict confidentiality and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) standards.
Sexual and Reproductive Health:
The Disease Intervention Specialist in Sexual and Reproductive Health works to reduce unintended pregnancies and minimize the spread of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV through direct outreach, education, testing, referral to services, and prevention activities. This position distributes safer sex use supplies and other harm reduction tools at Public Health’s Sexual and Reproductive Health program and community-based events. The position provides education on safe sex practices, the reproductive system, birth control methods, how to prevent contracting and spreading sexually transmitted diseases, and referrals for treatment and care of sexually transmitted diseases.
Drug Harm Reduction:
The Disease Intervention Specialist in Drug Harm Reduction works to reduce harms associated with injection drug use through direct client engagement, outreach, risk reduction education, referral to services, and overdose prevention activities. This position distributes safer use supplies and other harm reduction tools at Public Health’s walk-in harm reduction/syringe services program. The positon provides education on safe injection practices, overdose prevention and reversal, and prevention of infectious diseases and wounds. The position works as part of a larger Substance Use Prevention & Harm Reduction Team.
Education, Training and Experience:
Any combination of education, training and experience equivalent to high school graduation. Individuals must also possess at least two (2) years of experience (lived or employment-related) public health or other experience that includes extensive communicable disease work or other related areas (Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/STI, substance use disorder treatment and prevention, drug harm reduction, mental health, medical counseling, etc.).
Special Requirements:
Must have a valid driver’s license, or access to reliable personal transportation, or equivalent. Work related to public health emergencies may require availability 24 hours a day, seven (7) days a week. For some positions, may be required to draw blood or must have the ability to learn to do so. Flexibility to work with diverse populations and communities including people of different cultures, values and beliefs, in rural, urban or suburban settings, and with individuals and groups at different levels of learning and with different learning styles. Flexibility to work with individuals and groups where and when they are available is required. Must complete state mandated Harm Reduction, HIV and STI trainings within six (6) months of hire. Incumbents must maintain the required immunizations and vaccination schedule per Public Health of Madison and Dane County (PHMDC) policy.
Bilingual Requirements:
- Provides services in both English and Spanish, including oral interpretation and written translations in Spanish.
- Applicants being considered for Bilingual Spanish positions must pass a Spanish-English and English-Spanish oral translation exam prior to employment.
Physical and Environmental Work Requirements:
Work involves walking, sitting, standing, bending, twisting, turning, lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, grasping, reaching and driving. Ability to lift, move and transport a variety of work related materials weighing up to 25 pounds. Ability to sit for prolonged periods of time. Phone and computer use. Manual dexterity using fine and gross motor skills is necessary. Good vision and hearing with corrective devices, as needed. Working conditions may vary in relation to heat, cold, fatigue, etc. Ability to travel between different work locations is required. Conferences or seminars may require travel outside of Dane County. Work requires flexibility to work with diverse populations and communities including people of different cultures, values and beliefs, in rural, urban or suburban settings, and with individuals and groups with different learning styles and abilities. Flexibility to work with individuals and groups where and when they are available is required.
Background Check Statement:Some positions may require a criminal background check which can include fingerprinting due to the nature of the job's responsibilities. Wisconsin's Fair Employment Law, s. 111.31 – 111.395, Wis. Stats., prohibits discrimination because of an arrest or conviction record. However, Dane County may disqualify an applicant if the position's responsibilities are substantially related to the applicant's criminal history (e.g., the nature of the crime and its relationship to the position, whether hiring, transferring or promoting an applicant would pose an unreasonable risk to the business, its employees, customers and vendors, etc.). Management reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.
Ability to effectively outreach, educate, and counsel at-risk individuals about disease prevention, specifically regarding sexual practices, drug use, overdose risk and other measures. Strong knowledge of communicable diseases including how they spread, signs and symptoms, progression, diagnosis, and treatment. Familiarity with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) STI treatment guidelines. Working knowledge of the referral criteria for mental health, drug treatment, social services, health, and advocacy agencies in the community. Ability to be an effective member of a work team. Strong computer skills and experience working with an online data management system (like Wisconsin Electronic Disease Surveillance System (WEDSS) or Wisconsin Immunization Registry (WIR)). Ability to work with and around blood-borne pathogens and infectious diseases. Knowledge about HIPAA laws and how to apply them in practice.
Salary : $31