POSITION:                            Disease Investigation Specialist

DEPARTMENT:                  Health

WORK SCHEDULE:          8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., M-F

JOB CATEGORY:               PAT (Professional, Administrative, Technological)

SALARY:                              $48,989/Yr. 

STATUS:                              Full Time

FLSA STATUS:                   Non-Exempt

DATES:                                 Until Filled

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function. The requirements listed in this document are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required. St. Joseph County provides reasonable accommodations to qualified employees and applicants with known disabilities who require accommodation to complete the application process or perform essential functions of the job unless those accommodations would present an undue hardship.

Incumbent serves as Disease Investigation Specialist (DIS) for the St. Joseph County Department of Health, responsible for investigating communicable and reportable communicable diseases or conditions and managing some of those cases, ensuring compliance with established policies, practices, regulations, and public health standards.

Benefits

Affordable Medical, Dental, and Vision Plans

Paid Time Off (PTO) with generous accruals

Employer Paid Life Insurance coverage

Short-Term and Long-Term Disability (STD/LTD)

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for healthcare and dependent care

Gym Membership Discounts to encourage wellness

Employer-Funded PERF (Public Employees' Retirement Fund)

Access to additional voluntary benefits and resources

Responsibilities

Manages care of clients using established protocols, ensuring compliance with all applicable Department policies and procedures, Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) standards, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations, and other federal and state laws related to privacy, confidentiality, and service delivery.

Investigates reportable communicable diseases or conditions, performing contact tracing, submitting appropriate specimens to lab, conducting field visits, completing and filing epidemiological reports, and submitting reports to IDOH. Contacts health providers and parents via telephone, text, email, or post. Provides education to infected clients and their close contacts and provides case follow-up as needed.

May perform specialized duties such as managing tuberculosis (TB) cases of active and latent patients. Along with IDOH and the patient’s clinical provider, identifies patients with active, latent, or suspected TB. Performs direct observation therapy (DOT) of medication assigned by the Public Health Nurse (PHN). Relays patient concerns or complications regarding medication to the patient’s clinical provider. Provides education, support, and resources, conducting contact investigations, collecting specimens and submitting for testing, analyzing results using appropriate guidelines, reporting results to IDOH and clinical provider, and providing case follow-up. Provides TB education, guidance, and training to health care providers.

Qualifications

Manages care of clients using established protocols, ensuring compliance with all applicable Department policies and procedures, Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) standards, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations, and other federal and state laws related to privacy, confidentiality, and service delivery.

Investigates reportable communicable diseases or conditions, performing contact tracing, submitting appropriate specimens to lab, conducting field visits, completing and filing epidemiological reports, and submitting reports to IDOH. Contacts health providers and parents via telephone, text, email, or post. Provides education to infected clients and their close contacts and provides case follow-up as needed.

Manage tuberculosis (TB) cases of active and latent patients. Along with IDOH and the patient’s clinical provider, identify patients with active, latent, or suspected TB. Performs direct observation therapy (DOT) of medication assigned by the Public Health Nurse (PHN). Relays patient concerns or complications regarding medication to the patient’s clinical provider. Provides education, support, and resources, conducting contact investigations, collecting specimens and submitting for testing, analyzing results using appropriate guidelines, reporting results to IDOH and clinical provider, and providing case follow-up. Provides TB education, guidance, and training to health care providers.

Education/Experience

Bachelor’s degree required with previous related experience preferred. Possession of required certifications and training such as disease infection or tuberculosis testing training. Must be at least 21 years of age.