Infectious Disease Control Consultant (PN 20013591)

Ohio Department of Health • Bureau of Infectious Diseases • 246 North High Street, 1st Floor, Columbus, OH 43215 • Classified, Union 1199 • Contact: Hannah C.

About the role

Our mission at the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) is advancing the health and well-being of all Ohioans. Our agency is committed to building a modern, vibrant public health system that creates the conditions where all Ohioans flourish. The goal of the Bureau of Infectious Diseases (BID) is to prevent and control the spread of infectious diseases (e.g., foodborne outbreaks, general infectious diseases, healthcare-associated infections, influenza, meningitis, tuberculosis, vaccine-preventable diseases, waterborne outbreaks, zoonotic diseases and vector-borne diseases). The bureau works closely with local health departments (LHDs), healthcare providers and laboratories to ensure that infectious disease reports are reviewed and investigated timely; the program provides technical expertise and coordination to LHDs, healthcare providers, laboratories and where appropriate, the general public.

Responsibilities

• Acts as statewide expert on tuberculosis (TB) prevention and control field activities (e.g., community outreach, targeted testing, contact investigation, outbreak response, and cultural competence).
• Consults with local tuberculosis programs, local health departments, health care providers (e.g., physicians), health care facilities (e.g., hospitals, clinics, nursing homes), community agencies (e.g. schools, day care facilities, immigrant and refugee organizations) and the general public on the prevention and control of tuberculosis.
• Provides specialized technical assistance, consultation, and education on matters related to tuberculosis prevention and control (e.g., diagnosis, treatment, contact investigation, targeted testing, outbreak response, cultural competence).
• Participates in epidemiologic investigation of tuberculosis outbreaks.
• Conducts site visits to local tuberculosis programs as assigned.
• Evaluates statewide tuberculosis prevention and control efforts and activities through case review, oversight of case management, cohort review and analysis of surveillance and epidemiologic data.
• Writes assigned portions of grant applications and progress reports for tuberculosis prevention and control.

Working conditions

Exposed to unpredictable patient behavior, illness, infectious and/or communicable diseases.

Training requirements

Biennial renewal of license to practice as Registered Nurse required to remain in the classification after employment.

Qualifications

Minimum qualifications: Current & valid license to practice professional nursing as Registered Nurse (R.N.) in Ohio as issued by Board of Nursing per Section 4723.03 of Ohio Revised Code AND 24 months experience as Registered Nurse practicing in infection control in a population/community based setting to include both: analysis & interpretation of collected infection control data AND investigation & surveillance of suspected outbreaks of infection AND at least 3 of the following:

• Planning, implementation & evaluation of infection prevention & control measures
• Education of individuals about infection risk, prevention & control
• Development & revision of infection control policies & procedures
• Management of infection prevention & control activities
• Providing consultation on infection risk assessment, prevention & control strategies

AND 4 months training or 4 months experience in public speaking/teaching techniques AND 3