Specialist, Disease Intervention

About the role

We are recruiting for a mission-driven Specialist, Disease Intervention to join our team! We're with you for life’s journey. At Denver Health, purpose isn’t just something we believe in—it’s something we live every day, for life’s journey. Our Values Respect | Belonging | Accountability | Transparency

Department

DH STD CONTROL PROGRAM PAV L

Job Summary

Under general supervision, the Disease Intervention Specialist performs technical Public Health work in the communicable disease detection performing a combination of clinical and public health functions, treatment, and field work investigation. Responsible for working with, testing and counseling persons exposed to, infected with, or having a positive test for communicable diseases in a variety of clinical, community, business, institutional, and home settings.

Essential Functions

• TESTING AND COUNSELING

  • Performs phlebotomy, injections, and sputum collection, and uses basic and specialized laboratory techniques necessary for the successful implementation and interpretation of clinical TB tests, both in the clinic and in a variety of field settings.
  • Interprets test results according to current clinical standards and explains results to the patient accurately and appropriately for that individual, including report difficult information about serious and complex illnesses to nurse and doctors
  • Maintain testing schedules initial and 8 week follow up and ensure patients and contacts receive timely evaluations.

• PATIENT CARE AND FOLLOW-UP

  • Administers treatment in a variety of settings, including through direct observation as appropriate and documents each encounter.
  • Readily recognizes and reports problems or untoward events related to testing, medication and/or treatment. May perform vitals in various settings and report to the provider promptly.
  • Affords support care coordination for patients with complex or multidisciplinary needs including social, behavioral or medical challenges.
  • Affords assistance to locate patients with communicable diseases who are lost to follow up.
  • Maintains consistent communication with patients throughout their treatment course to promote adherence and trust.

• CONTACT INVESTIGATIONS

  • Led and arranged contact investigations for communicable diseases, including identifying individuals who are indicated for testing, interviewing patients and contacts and assessing risk for TB identifying their priority status, performing testing and counseling as above, and tracking relevant data.
  • Plans and implements large contact investigations, including determining necessary equipment and staffing, responding to data requests, and communicating with multiple government and community partners.
  • Collaborates with local and surrounding counties and public health departments in implementing case investigations.

• DOCUMENTATION AND REPORTING

  • Accurately documents and maintains all clinical activities including testing, counseling, treatment observation, and outreach.
  • Tracks progress on assigned cases, flag delays or missed follow ups and create plans to address compliance per reporting guidelines.
  • Collects and organizes data related to contact investigations, adhering to public health reporting guidelines required by local, state and CDC reports.

• GENERAL

  • Travel daily across multiple counties to conduct field work, direct observed therapy, and case investigation activities.
  • Educates clients, health care staff, community members, organizations, and businesses about basic public health principles and standards of care to protect public health.
  • Provides training to other county staff on direct observed therapy and contact investigations.
  • Provides culturally responsive and trauma informed care
  • Manages workload and time effectively to balance multiple cases and program priorities.
  • Affords assistance to clinic operations as needing including assisting with lab collection, specimen handling and processing, delivery of class b notification letters, Tb outreach events, and clinic coverage.

Education

Associate's Degree Associate's degree Required or 3 years of directly related experience in community or clinical health experience in addition to requirements below Required

Work Experience

1-3 years relevant experience.

Licenses

DLR-Colorado Driver's License Class R - DMV - Department of Motor Vehicles
CMA-Certified Medical Assistant - AAMA - American Association of Medical Assistants

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Possesses a detailed knowledge of diseases/conditions specific to the area and interventions related to them.
• Must have exceptional organizational skills and very strong interpersonal skills.
• Computer skills including Word, Excel and Power Point preferred.
• Phlebotomy skills
• Medication administration
• Clean driving record
• Bilingual/Spanish preferred.