Job description

A Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS) is an investigator who intervenes in the spread of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) by investigating reported, suspected, and potential cases of STDs. Specialized DIS provide expanded support in pregnancy to maternal syphilis cases as well as Partner Services and medical or social referrals for those who are newly living with HIV. DIS may be asked to provide investigatory or intervention services to assist in relief and response efforts in an outbreak. This may require interviewing those infected with specific STDs, analyzing case and disease information, interacting with health care providers and other medical staff who support STD/HIV care efforts, conducting computer record searches for medical or locating information, contacting clients by phone and/or in-person and documenting investigative actions on forms or in databases required by IDOH and/or the CDC.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

Ability to conduct a thorough, timely, and effective STD/HIV case investigation.

Interview patients diagnosed STDs/HIV for the purpose of educating the patient and eliciting information that would lead to the testing and treatment of others who may be at risk for the same infection.

Contacting patients by phone, mail, or in-person who have tested positive or who are known to have been exposed to an STD/HIV.

Assessment of case information to establish priorities and timeline for disease intervention.

Provide maternal cases with expanded support throughout their pregnancy to ensure adequate prenatal care, follow-up testing, and support for maternal syphilis cases.

Establishes relationships with community organizations and takes time to review the Community Needs Assessment of assigned locality to recognize needs within a community for screening, education, and outreach.

Ability to communicate professionally with internal and external partners.

Participates in community events both locally and statewide.

Conducts HIV counseling and testing and provides referral services for HIV+ clients according to protocols. Ensures linkage to care occurs for each client.

Initiates and maintains confidential case records and ensures that they are completed accurately per policies.

Acts as an informative and knowledgeable resource for recommended STD treatments to healthcare providers and other medical staff.

Performs phlebotomy in the field and in a clinic setting for patients in need of blood tests.

Interprets laboratory results for standard STD tests and recognize recommended treatments for a variety of STDs.

Job Requirements:

Ability to work effectively with external organizations, individuals, health care professionals, and clinic staff.

Ability to apply extensive problem identification and problem-solving methods to daily work.

Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and be self-sufficient as well as the ability to work within a team on shared tasks, projects, or assignments. Additionally, the ability to provide report of activities completed independently.

Extensive knowledge of record keeping and consultation methods.

Ability to maintain confidentiality and security of HIV and STD surveillance data.

Ability to communicate effectively verbally both in-person or over the phone with direct team members, division members, and external partners. Ability to communicate effectively in writing and in an appropriate style for government documents.

Ability to elicit sensitive information from patients with STDs or HIV regarding lifestyle choices (including substance use), sexual practices, and barriers faced to safer sexual experiences in a non-judgmental manner.

Ability to learn and use Microsoft programs.

Ability to engage in investigative actions in an honest and purposeful way that follows all local, state, and federal HIPAA regulations.

Ability to travel throughout the state to assist with emergency response efforts, including other public health emergent needs. Travel can often be required overnight, up to 25% of the time.

Work is broad in scope with many facets, including medical elements, policy guidelines, and local conditions. Considerable judgment is needed in the performance of duties within the guidelines of standard medical recommendations, state and federal law and regulations. Must be able to clearly communicate information to a variety of stakeholders.

Job Types: Full-time, Contract

Pay: $27.05 - $31.52 per hour

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Indianapolis, IN 46204: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Application Question(s):

• B.S. degree from a 4 year accredited college/university pref. in public health or social sciences or 6 years exp. in public health or health care.
• Candidate must possess a valid Indiana driver's license and have reliable personal transportation.
• Ability to work with culturally diverse populations in a non-judgmental environment.
• Extensive knowledge of & ability to interpret federal, state & locals laws/regs. pertaining to HIV & STD infections & surveillance activities.
• Candidate must reside local to Indiana.
• Exp. w/Microsoft programs, including but not limited to Outlook, Teams, Excel, Word and Publisher.
• Ability to work effectively with external organizations, individuals, health care professionals, and clinic staff.
• Experience with STD and HIV case investigation, counseling and testing.
• Contact tracing experience helpful.
• Required to travel throughout Indiana, up to 25% of the time, sometimes on emergency notice, including overnight travel is required. Do you accept this requirement?
• Candidate will be required to complete specialty specific training courses. Do you accept this requirement?
• May be required to work some weekend hours. Do you accept this requirement?
• Will be required to participate in community outreach activities. Do you accept this requirement?
• Phlebotomy experience is required for the position. If candidate does not have phlebotomy experience the facility will train for phlebotomy. Does candidate have phlebotomy experience? If not, is candidate willing to train for phlebotomy?

Work Location: In person

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