Communicable Disease Specialist

Job Summary

Brown County Health and Human Services offers exciting challenges, personal growth opportunities and a chance to make a difference, all while preserving a strong work-life balance. As an employee in this in-person role, you will have the opportunity to serve individuals and families within your own community. Come and see all that Brown County has to offer!
The disease investigator conducts case and contact investigation, reinforces education, and follow-up for clients with infectious diseases to reduce the incidence and prevalence of communicable diseases. This position will also assist the public health nursing program with immunization clinics.

Essential Duties

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assists with the investigation of health problems and health hazards in the community, including assistance with prevention and control of communicable diseases.
• Assists with communicable disease prevention and control including epidemiological investigations, surveillance, and implements control measures to prevent the spread of communicable diseases such as:
• Reviews assigned cases and initiates necessary investigations and follow up
• Conducts contact tracing as appropriate and follows up as indicated
• Drafts and sends letters as needed
• Makes employer calls and follows up as needed
• Closes cases as applicable
  • Continually updates internal spreadsheet with case additions and/or status changes
  • Provides communicable disease services including administering, distributing, and monitoring Tuberculosis related medications

• Maintains knowledge of immunization program
• Participates in public health immunization clinics, and provides on-site clinic support
• Assists with proper storage and handling of vaccinations

• Assists with efforts to mobilize community partnerships to address public health issues
• Serves in an Incident Command System (ICS) structure for both preparedness and response efforts and responds during public health emergencies.
• Acts as a health navigator and links individuals, families, and the community with needed resources.
• Assists with population and individual level public health services in various settings such as schools, homes, the jail, offices, worksites, clinics, community health fairs, and other settings in the community
• Assures access to primary health care for all residents through referral.
• Participates in department quality improvement projects and programs to further the mission and objectives of the Public Health Division.
• May participate in public health hearing and vision clinics

Minimum Qualifications Required

Education and Experience:

• A bachelor’s degree in public health, healthcare, health education, or related field preferred.
• At least one year experience in community health or public health is preferred.

• Current WI driver’s license
• Current or Previous Basic Lifesaver for healthcare providers (CPR) certification

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge, Ability and Skills

• Knowledge of communicable disease and treatment
• Knowledge of disease prevention, universal precautions and infection control, blood borne pathogens, respiratory protection, health assessment, health promotion, behavioral change, group process, community/organizational development theory and techniques.
• Knowledge of human systems (wellness, illness, growth and development, basic nutrition, human behavior, psychosocial development, family and community systems).
• Knowledge of the community agencies and resources.
• Knowledge of immunizations.
• Knowledge of vaccine storage and handling.
• Ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to improve population outcomes.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationship with other staff, community professionals and the public.
• Ability to maintain accurate and timely client records.
• Ability to apply time-management skills and prioritize workloads.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in written form.
• Ability to communicate with persons of varying levels of education, understanding and values.
• Ability to work with diverse populations in a culturally sensitive manner.
• Ability to work independently and exercise considerable judgement and discretion in carrying out designated duties according to established policy/procedures.
• Ability to accommodate flexible scheduling to address department, program, or client needs.
• Ability to use standard office equipment including telephone, computer, printer, photocopier, and scanner.
• Be able to perform duties, follow policy and procedures independent of direct supervision.

• Lifting 50 pounds maximum with frequent lifting and/ or carrying of objects weighing up to 20 pounds.
• Intermittent standing, walking, sitting and occasional driving.
• Using hand(s)/feet for repetitive single grasping, fine manipulation, pushing, pulling or operating controls.
• Frequent bending, twisting, squatting, climbing, reaching, occasional grappling.
• Communicating orally in a clear manner.
• Hearing ability sufficient enough to communicate with others effectively in person and over the phone.
• Visual ability must be sufficient enough to read typewritten documents, computer screen, drive a car and distinguish people or objectives at varied distances under a variety of light conditions.
• Occasional need to relate to members of the public who exhibit challenging, atypical or hostile behaviors and/or communication.
• Work performed in the community is sometimes subject to conditions that range from inclement weather to dangerous conditions such as ice/snow, cold, heat, noise, wetness/humidity, vibration, sudden temperature changes, and poor illumination at the job site or due to travel on the job. Travel to and from field locations may subject worker to increased risk of driving hazards. Community locations may subject worker to communicable diseases, insects and other disease vectors, toxins, hazardous materials, chemicals and animals.