Dane County
Position Overview
Limited Term Employee (LTE) Disease Intervention Specialist position. Work is mostly remote, with some in-person work required at PHMDC’s Atrium office (2300 South Park St, Madison, WI 53713). The work hours are 7:45am to 4:30pm.
Commitment to Equity and Inclusion As an employer, we strive to provide a work environment where diversity and differing opinions are valued, creativity is encouraged, continuous learning and improvement are fostered, teamwork and open/honest communication are encouraged, and meeting customer needs through quality service is a shared goal. All employees must be able to demonstrate multicultural competence. Applicants from traditionally underrepresented populations including women, racial and ethnic minorities, and persons with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.
Definition of Disease Intervention Specialist Disease Intervention Specialists (DIS) function individually and as part of a team to stop the spread of disease and infections. Incumbents plan and participate in programs related to the prevention and control of various communicable diseases, conduct risk reduction outreach and education, and provide referrals to services. They provide outreach, education, counseling, and testing services to individuals at higher risk or groups experiencing disparate health outcomes related to communicable disease. Under the general supervision of a Public Health Supervisor and the professional oversight of Public Health Nurses, incumbents are responsible for following up on STI and other communicable diseases.
Examples of Duties Under the general supervision of a Public Health Supervisor, incumbents may work in one or more of the following areas:
Communicable Disease:
The Disease Intervention Specialist uses case investigation and contact tracing to prevent and control the spread of communicable diseases, including sexually transmitted infections. Provides counseling, education, outreach, testing, maintains databases, ensures confidentiality and HIPAA compliance.
Sexual and Reproductive Health:
Works to reduce unintended pregnancies and minimize the spread of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV through outreach, education, testing, referral, and prevention activities. Distributes safer sex use supplies and provides education on safe sex practices and referrals.
Drug Harm Reduction:
Works to reduce harms associated with injection drug use through outreach, risk reduction education, referral to services, overdose prevention, and distributes safer use supplies. Works as part of a Substance Use Prevention & Harm Reduction Team.
Education, Training, and Experience Any combination of education, training, and experience equivalent to high school graduation. Individuals must also possess at least two (2) years of public health or other experience that includes extensive communicable disease work or other related areas (HIV/STI, substance use disorder treatment and prevention, drug harm reduction, mental health, medical counseling, etc.).
For Bilingual Positions
Provide services in both English and the required foreign language (e.g., Spanish, Arabic, Hmong, etc.).
Applicants being considered for bilingual positions will be tested during the recruitment process prior to employment. This will primarily consist of passing an oral language proficiency assessment from English to foreign language and foreign language to English, but may require additional language testing.
*If applicable, individuals may confirm with the Employee Relations Division whether results of bilingual language certifications/examinations they currently hold qualify them for the position’s bilingual designation.
Special Requirements Must have a valid driver’s license, or access to reliable personal transportation, or equivalent. Work related to public health emergencies may require availability 24 hours a day, seven (7) days a week. May be required to draw blood or must have the ability to learn to do so. Must complete state mandated Harm Reduction, HIV and STI trainings within six (6) months of hire. Must maintain required immunizations and vaccination schedule per PHMDC policy.
Background Check Statement Some positions may require a criminal background check which can include fingerprinting. Wisconsin's Fair Employment Law prohibits discrimination based on arrest or conviction record, but Dane County may disqualify an applicant if the position’s responsibilities are substantially related to the criminal history. Application process may be contingent upon successful completion of the background check.
Physical and Environmental Work Requirements Work involves walking, sitting, standing, bending, twisting, turning, lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, grasping, reaching and driving up to 25 pounds. Must be able to sit for prolonged periods. Requires phone, computer use, manual dexterity, vision and hearing. May require travel between different work locations and conferences outside Dane County.
Required Knowledge and Skills Ability to effectively outreach, educate, and counsel at-risk individuals; strong knowledge of communicable diseases; familiarity with CDC STI treatment guidelines; ability to refer clients to community resources; strong computer skills and experience with online data management systems (e.g., WEDSS, WIR); knowledge of HIPAA laws.
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Commitment to Equity and Inclusion As an employer, we strive to provide a work environment where diversity and differing opinions are valued, creativity is encouraged, continuous learning and improvement are fostered, teamwork and open/honest communication are encouraged, and meeting customer needs through quality service is a shared goal. All employees must be able to demonstrate multicultural competence. Applicants from traditionally underrepresented populations including women, racial and ethnic minorities, and persons with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.
Definition of Disease Intervention Specialist Disease Intervention Specialists (DIS) function individually and as part of a team to stop the spread of disease and infections. Incumbents plan and participate in programs related to the prevention and control of various communicable diseases, conduct risk reduction outreach and education, and provide referrals to services. They provide outreach, education, counseling, and testing services to individuals at higher risk or groups experiencing disparate health outcomes related to communicable disease. Under the general supervision of a Public Health Supervisor and the professional oversight of Public Health Nurses, incumbents are responsible for following up on STI and other communicable diseases.
Examples of Duties Under the general supervision of a Public Health Supervisor, incumbents may work in one or more of the following areas:
Communicable Disease:
The Disease Intervention Specialist uses case investigation and contact tracing to prevent and control the spread of communicable diseases, including sexually transmitted infections. Provides counseling, education, outreach, testing, maintains databases, ensures confidentiality and HIPAA compliance.
Sexual and Reproductive Health:
Works to reduce unintended pregnancies and minimize the spread of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV through outreach, education, testing, referral, and prevention activities. Distributes safer sex use supplies and provides education on safe sex practices and referrals.
Drug Harm Reduction:
Works to reduce harms associated with injection drug use through outreach, risk reduction education, referral to services, overdose prevention, and distributes safer use supplies. Works as part of a Substance Use Prevention & Harm Reduction Team.
Education, Training, and Experience Any combination of education, training, and experience equivalent to high school graduation. Individuals must also possess at least two (2) years of public health or other experience that includes extensive communicable disease work or other related areas (HIV/STI, substance use disorder treatment and prevention, drug harm reduction, mental health, medical counseling, etc.).
For Bilingual Positions
Provide services in both English and the required foreign language (e.g., Spanish, Arabic, Hmong, etc.).
Applicants being considered for bilingual positions will be tested during the recruitment process prior to employment. This will primarily consist of passing an oral language proficiency assessment from English to foreign language and foreign language to English, but may require additional language testing.
*If applicable, individuals may confirm with the Employee Relations Division whether results of bilingual language certifications/examinations they currently hold qualify them for the position’s bilingual designation.
Special Requirements Must have a valid driver’s license, or access to reliable personal transportation, or equivalent. Work related to public health emergencies may require availability 24 hours a day, seven (7) days a week. May be required to draw blood or must have the ability to learn to do so. Must complete state mandated Harm Reduction, HIV and STI trainings within six (6) months of hire. Must maintain required immunizations and vaccination schedule per PHMDC policy.
Background Check Statement Some positions may require a criminal background check which can include fingerprinting. Wisconsin's Fair Employment Law prohibits discrimination based on arrest or conviction record, but Dane County may disqualify an applicant if the position’s responsibilities are substantially related to the criminal history. Application process may be contingent upon successful completion of the background check.
Physical and Environmental Work Requirements Work involves walking, sitting, standing, bending, twisting, turning, lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, grasping, reaching and driving up to 25 pounds. Must be able to sit for prolonged periods. Requires phone, computer use, manual dexterity, vision and hearing. May require travel between different work locations and conferences outside Dane County.
Required Knowledge and Skills Ability to effectively outreach, educate, and counsel at-risk individuals; strong knowledge of communicable diseases; familiarity with CDC STI treatment guidelines; ability to refer clients to community resources; strong computer skills and experience with online data management systems (e.g., WEDSS, WIR); knowledge of HIPAA laws.
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