Disease Intervention Specialist – Level 1

• STI Prevention and Education: Provide comprehensive education and prevention services to individuals, groups, and communities regarding the transmission, prevention, and treatment of STIs, specifically chlamydia and gonorrhea. Conduct outreach activities to raise awareness and promote safe sexual practices. Remains up-to-date on CDC STI Treatment Guidelines and STI Surveillance Case Definitions.
• Contact Tracing: Perform thorough and confidential contact tracing investigations to identify and locate individuals who may have been exposed to STIs. Interview and counsel affected individuals regarding testing, treatment, and prevention measures.
• Testing and Treatment Coordination: Collaborate with patients, healthcare providers, clinics, and laboratories to ensure timely and accurate STI testing, diagnosis, and treatment (including phlebotomy). Offer guidance and support to individuals throughout the testing and treatment process. Conduct interviews with patients diagnosed with gonorrhea and/or chlamydia to elicit information leading to testing and treatment of others at risk of infection and in preventing re-infection.
• Partner Services: Facilitate partner notification and referral services, working closely with individuals to inform their partners about potential exposure to STIs. Provide counseling and connect partners with appropriate testing and treatment resources.
• Data Collection and Reporting: Accurately document and maintain records of all interventions, including contact tracing outcomes, testing results, partner services provided, and educational activities conducted. Generate reports and statistics as required by the department.
• Collaboration and Networking: Collaborate with internal teams, community organizations, and healthcare providers to develop and implement comprehensive strategies for STI prevention and control. Participate in local and regional meetings, conferences, and training sessions to stay updated on current trends, best practices, and emerging issues related to STIs. Interacts regularly with members of the medical profession to verify and/or obtain pertinent medical information; is adequately aware of the HIPAA Privacy Rule for Public Health.
• Resource Development: Contribute to the development of educational materials, campaigns, and resources aimed at increasing awareness, knowledge, and understanding of STIs. Provide input for the development of policies and procedures related to STI prevention and control.
• Other duties as assigned that contribute to the efforts and success of the Communicable Disease Division and Vanderburgh County Health Department as a whole.

• Applicant must possess at least a four-year undergraduate degree from a related field (public health, health services, biology, sociology, etc.) from an accredited college or university; or at minimum six years professional experience in public health or a health care related field.
• Completion of an approved phlebotomy training within 6 weeks of final Authorization, with documentation of appropriate immunizations and training of blood-born pathogens’ precautions.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and be self-sufficient as well as the ability to work within a team on shared tasks, projects, or assignments. Additionally, the ability to provide appropriate reports of activities completed independently.
• Ability to maintain workload of 20-30 gonorrhea and chlamydia investigations simultaneously per work week.
• Ability to work with and maintain confidentiality and security of STI surveillance data.
• Ability to learn about local, state and federal departments and agencies which have programs or services affecting STI surveillance, including knowledge of the Indiana State.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally in person or over the phone with direct team members, division members, and external partners. Ability to communicate effectively in writing and in an appropriate style for government documents. Ability to work effectively with organizations, individuals, and health care professionals.
• Ability to elicit sensitive information from patients with STIs regarding lifestyle choices (including substance use), sexual practices, and barriers faced to safer sexual experiences in a non-judgmental manner.
• Ability to work during public health emergencies.
• Working knowledge of specialized forms and procedures used in the assigned work. Basic knowledge of agency program terminology, special regulations, policies, programs and activities of the office and the ability to apply these to pertinent situations.
• Ability to learn and use Microsoft programs, including but not limited to Outlook, Teams, Excel, Word and Publisher.
• Ability to engage in investigative actions in an honest and purposeful way that follows all local, state, and federal HIPAA regulations.
• Ability to conduct field visits to patient homes, work establishments, or other agreed upon locations as part of case investigations.
• Ability to present at or engage in outreach activities such as classes, events, fairs, etc. to provide accurate and correct STI and sexual health information to any variety of audiences.
• Possesses a valid Indiana driver’s license and reliable automobile with insurance.

• Ability to effectively communicate, engage and provide services to populations from diverse cultural, racial, ethnical, economic, and geographical backgrounds safely in a sensitive, respectful, non-judgmental and empathetic manner.

• Incumbent works in a modern office environment, with some physical effort involved in field work. The incumbent’s time will be split (75/25) between the office and the field. Field work consists of visits to clients and providers in southwestern Indiana to provide services. Incumbent may be required to deal with uncooperative individuals and may be exposed to a variety of communicable diseases.

Our benefits make Vanderburgh County Health Department an exceptional place to work. We offer:

• Starting salary: $51,028
• Comprehensive benefits package, including: 5 vacation days after the first 6 months and 10 per year with expanded vacation after 5 years and 15 paid holidays annually; medical, dental, and vision coverage; disability insurance; life insurance.
• Workforce Development including ongoing training, and promotional opportunities.
• Flexible work hours; 40-hour work week with very occasional weekend assignments. Full time, usual hours 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., M–F, with lunch breaks. May be required to work occasional evenings with the ability to flex these hours. 
• A guaranteed pension plan after meeting pension benefit requirements, Public Employee Retirement Fund (PERF).
• Opportunities for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program for eligible workers.
• Commitment to diversity, inclusion, equity, and welcoming environment. Affirmative action commitment.
• Employees will receive fully funded trainings and certifications throughout their onboarding process and workforce development during their employment.  
• Vanderburgh County Health Department is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with our commitment, Vanderburgh County Health Department will take the steps to ensure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. Accordingly, if reasonable accommodation is required to fully participate in the job application or interview process, to perform the essential functions of the position, and/or to receive all other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Vanderburgh County Health Department at 812-435-2400.