Public Health Follow-Up Consultant

About the role

The Program Specialist IV is responsible for ensuring organizations that enter into a written agreement with the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to provide HIV, STD and HCV programs deliver services that are consistent with the needs of the population to be served and are in accordance with State and Federal mandates and program requirements. Ensures compliance with these requirements through formal site reviews, technical assistance visits and desktop reviews.

Responsibilities

• Evaluates and assesses regional and local health departments’ HIV/STD and DSHS programs that conduct STD disease intervention and HIV prevention activities. Develops and implements effective techniques for evaluating programs.
• Schedules, plans and conducts the on-site desktop and formal program evaluations and technical assistance visits according to procedures. Reviews relevant documentation and observes programmatic activities as they relate to the delivery of effective and efficient services.
• Works with program staff at all levels to adequately assess quality service delivery. Assists programs in identifying trends, barriers to program implementation and achievement of program objectives. Provides technical assistance for addressing programmatic barriers.
• Submits reports to agencies according to procedure within required time frame. Performs follow-up site visits to ensure that recommendations are implemented in accordance with program review findings. Implements DSHS Sanction Policy when needed.
• Analyzes the program corrective action plans to determine if required program improvements have been implemented and result in improved service delivery.
• Plans, develops, coordinates, implements, delivers and evaluates training programs and technical assistance for DSHS employees, contractors, and public and private health care professionals.
• Delivers customized courses in response to needs identified. Assists in developing and evaluating trainings statewide through direct observation, co-training, constructive feedback and support.
• Analyses program performance by reviewing program reports and data and making recommendations for program improvement. Guides, directs and provides technical assistance to HIV/STD programs by telephone, on-site, or in writing.
• Communicates with DSHS and funders’ program standards, administrative and program requirements, policies and guidelines. When on-site, the consultant may demonstrate services delivery techniques to program staff in traditional and non-traditional settings. Observes program staff delivering services and provides feedback to staff.
• Consults with program supervisors when staff improvement is necessary. Promotes program staff development by identifying training needs.
• Reviews program reports and provides information to program managers about performance and reporting issues.
• Initiates and assists in program development process. Reviews budgets, objectives and work plans submitted by programs. Works with Contract Management Unit to determine appropriateness of equipment requests. Prepares for and assists the Contract Management Section with the contract development process.
• Communicates with the Procurement and Contracting Section to assure that all documentation is approved and processed correctly. Initiates, reviews and processes budget amendments and Institutional Prior Approval requests. Tracks program expenditures to assure that program funds do not lapse or are overspent.
• Works as a member of cross-team workgroups on projects. Develops and revises program policies and procedures. Creates and updates evaluation tools, budget screen tools, and program report forms. Responsible for the technical writing of manuals, guidance, and standards for all scopes of work.
• Reviews and analyzes HIV/STD prevention/partner services program data and makes appropriate recommendations to providers. Assures that all required documentation is filed appropriately for access by Unit staff.
• Serves as liaison with local health departments, community-based organizations, and other contractors and DSHS workgroups. Prepares written responses to inquiries, complaints and grievances.
• Works on special projects as assigned.
• Participates in state-level, regional and national professional development, planning and policy development activities. Serves as liaison or in a capacity with other internal/external public, private and community local, state and national partners, and others, who share common objectives or benchmarks directed towards improving PHFU outcomes and advancing common policies and resources.

Requirements

• At least three years of experience with HIV/STD prevention, or PHFU services programming, planning, and administration.
• Experience with program monitoring, compliance, and program evaluation.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of disease investigation and partner services processes.
• Knowledge of HIV, STD and HCV prevention programming.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws relating to HIV/STD/HCV.
• Knowledge of public health policies, structure and functions of public health organizations.
• Knowledge of grant application and review process.
• Knowledge of program evaluation and strategic planning.
• Knowledge of customer service philosophy.
• Knowledge of cultural competency issues and methodologies.
• Knowledge of research methods used in developing assessment tools, curricula and program evaluation.
• Knowledge of adult education principles.
• Knowledge of audio, visual hardware and software needed to produce and deliver curricula.
• Knowledge of quality assurance and improvement techniques.

Skills

• Conducting program oversight and evaluation.
• Developing and maintaining effective working relationships across organizational lines.
• Clear and effective communication with culturally and professionally diverse audiences.
• Organizing and writing reports using business English grammar and writing style.
• Using internet, MS Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint and other computer applications.
• Problem solving.
• Monitoring and evaluating programs and interventions.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

[List the key KSAs, grouped by type.]

Knowledge of:

• Disease investigation and partner services processes.
• HIV, STD and HCV prevention programming.
• Local, state, and federal laws relating to HIV/STD/HCV.
• Principles of public health and program planning.
• Public health policies, structure and functions of public health organizations.
• Grant application and review process.
• Program evaluation and strategic planning.
• Customer service philosophy.
• Cultural competency issues and methodologies.
• Research methods used in developing assessment tools, curricula and program evaluation.
• Adult education principles.
• Audio, visual hardware and software needed to produce and deliver curricula.
• Quality assurance and improvement techniques.

Skills in:

• Conducting program oversight and evaluation.
• Developing and maintaining effective working relationships across organizational lines.
• Clear and effective communication with culturally and professionally diverse audiences.
• Organizing and writing reports using business English grammar and writing style.
• Using internet, MS Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint and other computer applications.
• Problem solving.
• Monitoring and evaluating programs and interventions.

Ability to:

• Work effectively in a team and with interdisciplinary staff.
• Be resourceful and apply initiative to assigned tasks with limited supervision.
• Prioritize workload and manage multiple tasks.
• Take initiative in becoming involved with various workgroups.
• Exercise independent judgment in evaluating situations and making recommendations.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships.
• Provide constructive and critical feedback and guidance to programs.
• Aid in developing, implementing and evaluating policies and procedures.
• Identify problems and formulate solutions.
• Analyze and interpret data.
• Effectively set up training room i.e. move tables, chairs, boxes of training materials, and audio visual equipment.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications: Not Applicable