Disease Intervention Specialist - Emerging and Resurgent Disease Program

The Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS) for the Emerging and Resurgent Diseases Program is a crucial member of the Division of Communicable Disease Control within the Infectious Disease Epidemiology program. The primary focus of this role is to conduct disease surveillance, case investigations, contact tracing, case management (CICT), and outbreak control and prevention for both newly emerging and re-emerging diseases.

Additionally, the Disease Intervention Specialists plays an integral and dynamic role in divisional operations by continuously conducting CICT and maintaining comprehensive knowledge across all program areas, including Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, Rabies Prevention, and Foodborne Diseases. All activities are performed in accordance with federal, state, and local guidelines to prevent and control both communicable and non-communicable disease.

The DIS for the Emerging and Resurgent Diseases Program reports directly to the Communicable Field Supervisor in the Division of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention.

Essential Functions and Accountabilities

I. Case Investigation and Contact Tracing
* Gather epidemiological information from healthcare providers and public health partners through phone, fax, email, or disease surveillance systems.
* Conduct sensitive and confidential phone calls with residents to perform clinical, risk, and treatment assessments, and identify contacts or others potentially exposed.
* Counsel residents and contacts on public health interventions, including disease education, testing, treatment, vaccinations, and behavioral changes.
* Refer residents and contacts to necessary clinical and social service resources to support adherence to public health interventions, disease management, and continued disease prevention and control. This may include short-term case management.
* Provide guidance and coordination of disease control measures and interventions to healthcare providers and public health partners.

II. Comprehensive Disease Knowledge
* Develop and maintain subject matter expertise in program areas, including robust knowledge of disease transmission, clinical features, risks, testing, treatment, and prevention.
* Develop and maintain proficiency in knowledge of diseases within divisional programs and reportable diseases to effectively participate in cross-program case investigations and provide contact tracing support.
* Engage in ongoing learning and professional development to stay well-informed in designated disease programs.
* Provide technical assistance to clinical laboratories, healthcare facilities, and healthcare providers in designated disease program areas.

III. Data Management and Analysis
* Conduct qualitative research to gather relevant information on exposure, risk, and potential disease spread using various research and investigative tools, including HealthShare Exchange (HSX).
* Ensure accurate and timely documentation of all activities and interactions in real-time, maintaining up-to-date records to support effective communication and decision-making within the team.
* Monitor, track, and report commonalities among cases, along with social and behavioral trends, to identify areas for program development, prevention implementation, and disease/outbreak prevention.
* Conduct data collection, analysis, management, and input of quantitative and qualitative data into electronic surveillance systems, databases, and tracking systems.

IV. Health Education, Outreach and Prevention
* Develop, implement, evaluate, and enhance the countywide emerging and resurgent disease surveillance, prevention, testing, and linkage programs.
* Develop and cultivate community partnerships to promote public health interventions through outreach, education, prevention, and services tracking at-risk populations or geographic areas of high disease burden.
* Share information through educational activities by developing and reviewing content and material to improve knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, skills, and tools. Examples include program documentation, standard operating procedures, websites, social media, and presentations.
* Attend and participate in meetings, trainings, and conferences as a representative of the program, division, and office.

V. Other duties, as assigned
* Perform all other duties as assigned within the scope and range of job responsibilities.

Education and Credentials
* Minimum of a bachelor's degree in public health, health education, or a related field.
* Requires regular travel throughout Montgomery County and Southeastern PA, annual state-wide travel, and national travel based on need; must have a valid state driver's license and reliable means of transportation.

Experience and Skills
* Two (2) years of relevant experience in public health.
* Must be able to respond to infectious disease emergencies promptly on a 24/7 basis as guided by OPH management.
* Must be available to serve as the divisional representative on-call during after-hours and weekends, on a rotational and emergency basis
* Must have the ability to adapt flexibly to shifting priorities and effectively manage time while handling a complex workload.
* Must have the capability to independently prioritize CTCI, projects, and tasks effectively.
* Must be able to be the divisional representative on-call after hours and weekends on a rotational basis.
* Demonstrate the ability to adapt flexibly to shifting priorities and effectively manage time while handling a complex workload.
* Engage and support the Division of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention programs in CICT and response to communicable and non-communicable diseases, including Infectious Disease Epidemiology (IDE) and Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) per the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PADOH) List of Reportable Diseases.
* All employees must adhere to strict confidentiality standards and comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations. This includes safeguarding sensitive patient information and ensuring that all data is handled with the utmost care and discretion.

* Most work is done while seated, often for extended periods.
* Frequent data entry and typing tasks.
* Constant communication with public health partners, residents, and colleagues over the phone requires clear speech and good listening skills.
* Use of digital tools like email, chat applications, and video conferencing for all communication and collaboration.
* Self-directed work, where employees are trusted to manage their tasks and projects without constant supervision.
* Foster a supportive and inclusive remote work culture through virtual team-building activities, online training sessions, and regular check-ins.
* A culture of transparency and accountability is fostered, where employees understand the importance of real-time documentation and its impact on overall productivity and project success.