Disease Research and Intervention Specialist (DRIS)

Full Job Description

Public Health SHC (Sexual Health Clinic) provides confidential testing, treatment, and prevention for STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections) and HIV, focusing on high-risk groups like MSM (Men who have Sex with Men), transgender individuals, and people with symptoms or exposure, while also offering services like pregnancy testing, family planning, and health insurance enrollment to promote community health.

The Disease Research & Intervention Specialist (DRIS) provides client-focused HIV/STD partner services, and patient counseling for risk behaviors for acquiring/transmitting HIV, hepatitis and other STDs, and explores harm reduction methods to promote and support client sexual health. The DRIS conducts all phases of disease investigation centered on gonorrhea and syphilis including: disease surveillance, patient and partner locating and notification, linkage to testing or treatment, in-clinic interviewing and support, partner counseling and referrals, and timely documentation of investigation findings into surveillance systems.

This posting will create a list of qualified candidates that may be considered for selection of additional vacancies of the same position type over the next 6 months.

Commitment To Equity and Social Justice

Named after Dr.

Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world.

It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.

The county government has a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all – in our workplaces and our communities.

With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from all communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.

We recognize that structural racism consists of principles and practices that cause and justify an inequitable distribution of rights, opportunities, and experiences across racial groups.

Since declaring Racism is a Public Health Crisis in June 2020, King County and Public Health committed to being intentionally anti-racist and accountable to Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities.

To learn more, please visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/elected/executive/equity-social-justice.aspx

Work Schedule

Monday through Friday, 7am to 6pm

Work Location

Ninth and Jefferson Building: 908 Jefferson St. Seattle, WA 98104

Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

Requirements

• Investigating case reports of persons diagnosed with an STD in King County with an emphasis on syphilis and gonorrhea
• Interacting with providers at medical clinics, hospitals, laboratories, and correctional facilities.
• Work on-clinic shifts weekly as scheduled to interview patients in Sexual Health Clinic for sex partners and provide counseling, education, and referrals as appropriate based on risk factors
• Support Sexual Health Clinic providers during on-clinic shifts with patient medical history including treatment information
• Interpret diagnostic testing results, inform patients of results, and link positive patients to treatment
• Notify patients diagnosed with STDs and conduct interviews with the goal of eliciting partner names and locating information
• Notify exposed partners to arrange for examination, testing, and/or treatment.
• Conduct HIV pre- and post-testing and counseling
• Perform venipuncture collect STD specimens.
• Provide patients with information about potential health risks related to STDs/HIV and assist in developing a client-centered plan to reduce future risk for STDs/HIV.
• Maintain detailed records regarding interactions with patients and needle-sharing/sex partners.
• Assure confidentiality of all records, data, and information as required by section, department, state and/or federal regulation.

Qualifications

Ideal Candidate:

• Demonstrated interviewing and partner elicitation skills
• •Knowledge of HIV and STD transmission modes, symptoms, and implications.
• •Experience in medical chart abstraction using electronic health records and/or other client level data repositories.
• Demonstrated ability to provide medical information in a clear and concise manner.
• Knowledge and demonstrated application of motivational interviewing skills.
• Knowledge and demonstrated application of behavior change theory and risk reduction strategies.
• Knowledge of HIV pre- and post-test guidelines and demonstrated education/counseling skills.
• Understanding of public health systems and goals.
• Experience with data entry.
• Demonstrated ability to protect PHI and other confidential information.
• Demonstrated ability to follow procedures/protocols and apply them to unpredictable situations.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and connect with people of diverse backgrounds and socioeconomic statuses.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to function with minimal direct supervision.
• Team player with a willingness to be flexible to meet the needs for DRIS on-clinic.
• Phlebotomy experience or willingness to be trained.
• Possess a valid WA State driver's license or ability to obtain one within 90 days of hire.

Desired Candidate:

• Bilingual Spanish
• Knowledge and demonstrated application of motivational interviewing and motivational skills.
• Phlebotomy experience.

Additional Information

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class.

Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully.

If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

Who May Apply

Anyone with adequate levels of skills and experience

The following items are required to be considered for this vacancy:

• NEOGOV Job Application (The responses on your job application should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
• Supplemental Questions (The responses to the supplemental questions should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
• Resume

(Please note: Cover letters and additional attachments will not be reviewed as part of the evaluation process if not outlined as a required application material as outlined above).

Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the application. Cover letters and/or resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application.

Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted.

Necessary Special Requirements

• The selection process may include evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, and testing. You must completely fill out the application with your relevant education and work experience.
• The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of Basic Life Support (BLS) / CPR
• For more information on our selection process, please refer to www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/jobs/hiring. For tips on interviewing, please visit https://www.kingcounty.gov/~/media/audience/employees/learning-and-development/Interview_Tips.ashx?la=en.
• Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.
• Public Health relies on office automation (Microsoft Office) and web-based enabled tools, therefore candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform functions associated with on-going work.
• Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing their mandatory trainings on time and obtaining required immunizations.
• Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions.

When Public Health responds to an emergency, and in accordance with relevant CBA language and/or KC policy and procedures, we may assign duties outside your regular job description.

This may involve responding at any time, including nights and weekends, with possible deployment to locations other than the department.

• If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact your recruiter listed on this job announcement.

Union Membership

Local 21

Contact

For more information about the application process please contact Alexis Owens at Alowens@kingcounty.gov