Disease Research & Intervention Specialist - Tuberculosis (TB)

Full Job Description

Public Health Tuberculosis (TB) Program is seeking a motivated and community-focused Disease Research & Intervention Specialist (DRIS) to join a multidisciplinary team dedicated to achieving a TB-Free King County.

This role is well suited for someone who is passionate about public health and working directly with diverse communities to improve access to prevention and care.

The DRIS conducts one-on-one interviews and gathers information to support contact investigations, including household screening and follow-up. The role coordinates with internal partners and external providers, such as primary care providers, to support timely evaluation for high-risk contacts.

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

Requirements

• Conduct detailed interviews patients/families to identify high risk and close contacts and to gather relevant information
• Identify active cases among contacts may have symptoms suggestive of TB
• Conduct TB screening: symptom assessment, and blood draws or TB skin tests in clinic or in the field
• Follow up test results and call patients for follow up care
• Provide education and treatment as necessary
• Help patients and families in scheduling appointments and navigating the healthcare system
• Understand and experience navigating complex systems and make linkage to support clients and families
• Knowledge of how to build rapport and work with families in a culturally appropriate manner
• Perform data entry in Epic and Treats
• Provide counseling and support to address patient concerns, stigma and other psychosocial factors
• Community resource connection support
• Provide direct transportation for clients/ families or transportation linkages (scheduling Hopelink when appropriate)
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team including nurse case managers, health outreach aids, epidemiologists, community prevention unit to ensure thorough and efficient contact investigation
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required:

• Knowledge of communicable diseases
• Phlebotomy (blood draw) skills
• Understanding of basic laboratory and medical terminology
• Strong interviewing, communication, and teamwork skills
• Ability to organize work, manage time effectively, and handle multiple investigations
• Experience working with diverse communities and a commitment to culturally responsive and equitable practice
• Proficiency in accurate data entry and documentation, and the ability to summarize investigation findings and share with the team
• Valid WA State Driver License is required.
• Documentation of current BLS CPR certification required.

Desired:

• Proficiency in a language other than English
• Experience working in a local or state public health setting
• Community outreach work

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.

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)

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
• The selected candidate must be able to pass a thorough background investigation, but findings may not necessarily disqualify an applicant for employment.
• Pre-employment Physical
• 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.

Work Schedule

This position is Monday through Friday 8 to 4:30; occasional evenings and weekends as needed. This position is non-exempt and eligible for overtime.

Work Location

This position is based out of Harborview Medical Center, 325 9th Ave, 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.

Union Membership

This position is represented by Local 21 Labor Union.

Contact

For questions about this recruitment, please contact Sarah Dunkinson (sdunkinson@kingcounty.gov)