Disease Research and Intervention Specialist- Jail Health Services

Full Job Description

Department of Public Health – Jail Health Services (JHS) division is seeking a Disease Research & Intervention Specialist (DRIS) provides client-focused HIV/STI partner services, and patient counseling for risk behaviors for acquiring and transmitting STIs.

The DRIS explores risk reduction methods to promote and support client sexual health. The JHS DRIS conducts all phases of disease investigation within the jail(s).

This includes disease surveillance, patient interviewing, partner collection and reassignment, linkage to testing or treatment, counseling and referrals, and timely documentation of investigation findings into surveillance systems and EPIC.

Background

About the Jail Health Services division

JHS provides needed health and social services to the incarcerated population located in the King County jails – King County Correctional Facility (KCCF) in Seattle, WA and Maleng Regional Justice Center (MRJC) in Kent, WA.

The primary services we provide include medical, dental, mental health, social and release planning services, treatment of substance use disorders, and pharmaceutical services.

We care about the patients we serve and their health outcomes. Our division includes over 250 employees and an annual budget of over $60 million.

The purpose of JHS is to assure that high-quality health and human services are available to the incarcerated population in the King County adult correctional facilities: the King County Correctional Facility (KCCF) in Seattle and the Maleng Regional Justice Center (MRJC) in Kent.

The JHS vision is Opening doors to healthier, happier lives, and the mission is to assess and stabilize serious health problems for the detained population of the King County Correctional Facility and the Maleng Regional Justice Center with a focus on transition from jail.

Staffed 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year, JHS provides a broad range of health care to all individuals booked into the jails.

For patients with serious mental health or medical conditions, special housing units (psychiatric and infirmary) along with a higher level of services and medical monitoring are provided.

Since the patient population varies both in numbers as well as in acuity of health conditions, staffing is adapted and flexed to meet the constantly changing needs of the population.

JHS staff manage the complex health needs of underserved populations, many of whom come to the facility without access to care in the community and with decompensated acute and chronic health conditions.

Note: 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

Typical work schedule is Monday through Friday, from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm or 6:30 am to 3:30 pm, split 3 days at King County Correctional Facility (KCCF) and 2 days at Maleng Regional Justice Center (MRJC).

This is a non-exempt position and is subject to the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is overtime eligible.

Work Location

The two primary work locations for this position are based at the King County Correctional Facility (KCCF) located at 500 5th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104 and at the Maleng Regional Justice Center (MRJC) located at 401 4th Ave N, Kent, WA 98032.

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

Requirements

• Conduct in-depth surveillance activities and case investigations, including medical record data abstraction for suspected or confirmed disease cases and for disease-free persons for comparison.
• Collect and organize health-related data. Check data for completeness, accuracy and compliance with survey protocols including follow-up data sampling audits.
• Review medical records to confirm appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
• Coordinate and conduct follow-up investigation of cases with health department and other staff.
• Perform data entry and retrieval of case reports and epidemiologic data.
• Assist in the analysis of data and preparation of statistical and other data reports.
• Assist in the design and maintenance of databases and/or study tools appropriate to sectional and programmatic needs.
• Interview and counsel clients who are at risk for or have communicable and/or chronic diseases and elicit the names of contacts and detailed information about the client’s personal behavior.
• Educate clients about health risks and promote behavioral changes to reduce risks.
• Assess, observe and notify health department officials of possible disease outbreak situations.
• Prepare, submit and maintain records for local, state and federal agencies as appropriate for individual sectional projects.
• Perform venipuncture and collect STI samples and inform clients of test results as authorized and as appropriate, under supervision of a medical professional.
• Consult with other health department laboratories, hospitals and health care providers regarding disease-related issues.
• Provide information about disease management, diagnostic and treatment guidelines, and techniques for counseling.
• Interpret diagnostic testing results, inform patients of results, and link positive patients to treatment.
• Interact with outside medical clinics, hospitals, laboratories, and correctional facilities to verify patient and treatment information.
• Support Jail Health Services providers during on-clinic shifts with patient medical history including past treatment information.
• Conduct STI pre- and post-testing and counseling for STIs and HIV testing.
• Provide patients with information about potential health risks related to STIs/HIV and assist in developing a client-centered plan to reduce future risk for STIs/HIV.
• Develop and present sexual health education for patients and staff.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Our ideal candidate will demonstrate the following (Minimum):

• Combination of experience/education/training that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the work.
• Knowledge of communicable disease etiology, manifestations, progression, diagnosis and treatment.
• Knowledge of medical and drug terminology, laboratory testing procedures.
• Experience in public health outreach, case investigation, contact tracing, partner services or health education, including work related to STI and/or HIV prevention.
• Experience conducting one-on-one interviews or counseling involving sensitive or confidential information.
• Foundational knowledge of STI/HIV transmission, prevention, and treatment principles.
• Ability to communicate clearly and respectfully with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Strong documentation skills and ability to follow established protocols.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and comply with privacy standards.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Willingness and ability to work in a correctional facility, following safety and operational procedures.
• Ability or willingness to learn to draw blood, collect samples, and process said specimens.
• Ability to pass required background checks and obtain facility clearance.
• Ability to work at both jail locations and occasionally travel between locations.

The most competitive applicants will have the following experiences and qualifications (Desired):

• Direct experience as a Disease Intervention Specialist conducting STI/HIV investigations and partner services.
• Experience working within or closely with correctional healthcare.
• Experience with unhoused, substance-using, or otherwise marginalized populations.
• Licensed for phlebotomy in Washington State.
• Strong working knowledge of syphilis staging and treatment guidelines.
• Familiarity with public health reporting requirements.
• Experience using trauma-informed, harm reduction, and culturally responsive approaches.
• Experience with electronic health records, public health surveillance system (PHIMS) or disease investigation databases.
• Ability to analyze data, identify trends, and support quality improvement efforts.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex or high-volume caseloads.
• Strong collaboration skills with medical providers, custody staff, and community partners.
• Experience contributing to program development, workflow improvement, or training.
• Certification or formal training in STI/HIV counseling, DIS work, or contact tracing.

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

This career service position is open to all qualified candidates.

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 (Outlining relevant experience)
• Cover letter (Expressing interest in this position)

Please note: 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

Additional Information Public Health - Jail Health Services follows and maintains federal and state requirements standards including, but not limited to, Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) standards which apply to all public and private institutions that house adult or juvenile offenders.

PREA standards preclude the department from hiring or promoting anyone who has engaged in, or been convicted of any conduct which would violate PREA standards related to sexual assault including:

• Sexual abuse in a prison, jail, lockup, community confinement facility, juvenile facility, or other institution.
• Convicted of engaging or attempting to engage in sexual activity in the community facilitated by force, overt or implied threats of force, or coercion, or if the victim did not consent or was unable to consent or refuse; or,
• Has been civilly or administratively adjudicated to have engaged in the activity described above.

Additionally, PREA standards require that the department consider any incidents of sexual harassment involving an inmate or detainee in determining whether or not to hire or promote anyone.

The above is in compliance with PREA and its implementing regulations, 28 C.F.R. Part 115, Subpart A, Section 115.17, Hiring and Promotion Decisions.

Union Membership

This position is represented by the Local 21 labor union.

Contact

For questions about this recruitment, please contact Salyse Duckworth, HR Analyst at sduckworth@kingcounty.gov.