DIRECT CARE ASSISTANT II Tuberculosis Direct Care Assistant II

MDH Howard County Health Department, 8930 Stanford Blvd, Columbia, MD 21045

About the role

This Direct Care Assistant II position assists in the provision of the Tuberculosis Control Program services, including direct patient care, performing venipuncture, conducting home visits, and supporting program operations. This position is considered essential for emergencies and is not eligible for telework.

Responsibilities

• Direct Clinical Duties (40%)
  • Performs direct patient care: monitoring vital signs, height/weight, pulse oximeter readings, obtaining specimens/phlebotomy, assisting in physical examinations, and performing vision screenings.
  • Prepares blood specimens using centrifuge and incubator; packages labs for courier while maintaining temperature requirements.
  • Follows OSHA standards and aseptic techniques.
  • Performs Directly Observed Therapy (DOTs) and reviews Video Directly Observed Therapy (VDOTs).
  • Sets up Scene accounts for active TB cases and troubleshoots as needed.
  • Conducts home visits for blood work, sputum pick-up/drop-off, and DOTs; assists RNs as needed.
  • Reinforces patient education using language interpretation and adapts teaching to patient understanding.
  • Initiates proper personal protective equipment and isolation measures per protocol.
• Clinical Support Duties (30%)
  • Completes laboratory requisitions, labels specimens, contacts couriers, requests Quest pick-ups, and enters lab orders into CureMD and Lab Web Portal.
  • Organizes B waiver referrals: scheduling, maintaining spreadsheets, providing radiology referrals, collecting specimens, and communicating with providers.
  • Documents and maintains client records; keeps clinicians and RNs informed.
  • Responds to inquiries from the medical community, labs, and the public on TB-related issues.
  • Provides community resources and follows referral procedures.
  • Identifies needs for targeted population screening and supports public health responses.
  • Inventories clinic laboratory supplies, TB medications, and medical supplies; orders as directed.
  • Prepares and restocks clinic rooms and lab; cleans lab after patient care.
  • Assists RNs with delegated tasks and attends in-service training to maintain competencies.
• Administrative Support Duties (20%)
  • Provides administrative support for the TB program.
  • Screens and directs departmental telephone calls; serves as point of contact for the TB program.
  • Receives and distributes mail; organizes mail for courier pick-up.
  • Monitors SR Fax and TB program email; distributes correspondence to appropriate staff.
  • Arranges transport services for TB patients and verifies appointments.
  • Organizes program meetings (Zoom, MS Teams, Cisco Web-ex, in-person); records minutes as directed.
  • Assists in compiling data for TB monthly, quarterly, and yearly reports and Health Stats.
  • Processes, organizes, and verifies labs/reports for daily data analysis.
  • Schedules/reschedules appointments in CureMD; calls patients for reminders and documents calls.
  • Schedules language interpretation for non-English speaking clients.
  • Provides backup to TB RNs for phone calls, reports, and forms.
  • Assists with the Gift Card program as directed.
  • Enters HIV testing information into Cognito.
  • Maintains records and submits MRC volunteer hours monthly.
  • Represents HCHD at meetings and events; participates in case studies/program presentations.
  • Accepts special projects as assigned.
• Standard Nursing Duties (5%)
  • Participates in HCHD Nurse Trainings, including orientation, cross-training, and community outreach.
  • Participates in specimen collection, packing, shipping, and transport, including after hours if needed.
  • Provides nursing functions for HCHD as needed, including outbreak investigations and TB contact studies.
• Other Duties (5%)
  • Understands HCHD services and refers to other programs as needed.
  • Participates in drills, emergencies, and quality improvement efforts.
  • Completes all required trainings and stays updated on policies and procedures.

This position is considered essential for emergency response during public health emergencies or extreme weather conditions.

Requirements

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience: Two years of experience assisting in the care, treatment, habilitation, or rehabilitation of patients/clients in treatment facilities or community-based programs.
• Additional experience in patient/client direct care may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis.
• U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a non-commissioned officer in Hospital Corpsman or Health Care Specialist classifications may substitute for required experience.

Qualifications

• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification or ability to obtain within 60 days of hire.
• Phlebotomy experience or training certificate preferred.
• Current CPR and Basic Life Support (BLS) certification preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, Excel), Microsoft Teams, OneDrive/SharePoint, and Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems preferred.

Licenses and Certifications

• Current Nursing Assistant certification from the Maryland State Board of Nursing or completion of a Board-approved training program within 60 days of hire.
• Geriatric Aide certificate may be required for positions in long-term care facilities.
• Valid Maryland motor vehicle operator’s license if assigned duties requiring vehicle operation.
• CPR certification may be required.

Special Requirements

• Completion of a direct care training course or examination approved by the hiring facility prior to permanent appointment.
• Must provide a telephone number for call-in duties.
• Subject to substance abuse testing per Code of Maryland Regulations 17.04.09.

Benefits

State of Maryland benefits available.