Senior Public Health Investigator

THE PROGRAM

The Senior Public Health Investigator (Sr. PHI) is the advanced journey level in the Public Health Investigator (PHI) series. The Sr. PHI delivers responsive high-quality services to the local health jurisdiction external agencies and the public providing accurate thorough and timely investigations with courtesy and efficiency. The primary goal of these activities is to prevent and control disease transmission by ensuring prompt examination and adequate treatment for individuals diagnosed or exposed to communicable diseases.

This position will be responsible for but not limited to the following:

• Providing training and mentoring to Public Health Investigator Trainees (PHITs) and Public Health Investigators (PHIs) under the direction of the supervisor including technical guidance on casework

• Managing the most complex disease cases; and conducting quality assurance activities within a public health investigation unit
• Reviewing and monitoring the work of a team of public health investigators to ensure progress and quality and confirming adherence to program policies procedures and standards established by the State of California
• Interviewing and investigating patients and potential sources or contacts to STIs HIV and or other communicable diseases while promoting compliance with public health laws and recommendations
• Conducting field investigations and contact tracing of suspected individuals exposed to STIs HIV and other communicable disease using information from patients acquaintances public authorities and other available sources. Referring contacts to a diagnostic facility for examination and/or treatment

• Designing strategies to enhance case reporting including gathering information contacting patients diagnosed with STIs HIV and other communicable disease locating their contacts and collecting data on treated cases. Providing physicians with up-to-date information on current outbreaks diagnostic and treatment methods and the latest developments in communicable disease trends

• Contacting and gaining cooperation of laboratories and medical providers to gain their cooperation and ensure the ongoing reporting of reactive test results to the Health Department
• Performing a variety of informational and educational activities involved in the communicable disease control program
• Maintaining records and writing case reports
• May be required to transport patients in County vehicles when necessary
• This position will include interviewing inmates within Orange County jail facilities. Selected candidates will be required to complete the necessary jail clearance during their probationary period
  
  

HIV & STIs KNOWLEDGE PUBLIC HEALTH SURVEILLANCE EXPERIENCE

• Diagnostic tests for STIs HIV and other communicable diseases; methods of transmission symptoms etiology diagnosis development and treatment of communicable diseases
• Medical terminology and corresponding terminology used by clinical researchers providers and the general public
• Performing contact tracing including gathering and analyzing data to identify outbreaks
• Techniques and methods of investigative interviewing; health education techniques regarding communicable diseases
• Working with online reporting and data systems e.g. California Reportable Disease Information Exchange (CalREDIE) and CalCONNECT
• Utilizing social media and virtual technology including Online Dating website platforms to facilitate public health investigations and surveillance
• Prioritizing and managing a workload that involves case review and closure and supporting and mentoring staff in their duties

RELATIONSHIP BUILDING INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

• Building collaborative partnerships with private and public healthcare facilities
• Establishing a strong trust and rapport with clients to enhance disease intervention and prevention efforts
• Establishing effective working relationships with management employees employee representatives and the public from diverse cultures and backgrounds while treating with courtesy and respect
• Assessing the clients immediate needs including ensuring they receive necessary services either directly or through appropriate referral
• Exercising appropriate judgment in answering questions and releasing information while analyzing and projecting consequences of decisions and/or recommendations
• Communicating effectively with individuals from diverse cultures and backgrounds (i.e. gender-diverse LGBTQ street-involved/unhoused justice involved persons living with and substance using individuals). and demonstrating sensitivity tact and diplomacy in challenging situations
• Providing responsive high-quality service to County employees representatives of outside agencies and members of the public by providing accurate complete and up-to-date information in a courteous efficient and timely manner

• Providing strong leadership to team and staff by creating a productive work environment and facilitating and demonstrating teamwork and cooperation
• Mentoring training and providing technical guidance to a unit of Public Health Investigators
• Leading and conducting quality assurance activities for a unit of Public Health Investigators ensuring compliance with established standards procedures and program goals

ORAL & WRITTEN COMMUNICATION SKILLS

• Conducting investigative interviewing in both office and field settings
• Providing counseling on STIs HIV and other communicable disease prevention and control within specific public health areas
• Communicating effectively both orally and in writing with organizations individuals in crisis; and persons from varying cultural ethnic and educational backgrounds of varying sexual preferences
• Preparing detailed case write-ups and meticulous reporting; compiling statistics conducting research and updating records and reports

SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS

• A valid California Class C drivers license which must be maintained throughout employment in this class is required at time of appointment or the ability to arrange necessary and timely transportation for field travel
• Incumbents in the HIV and STD program are required to complete HIV Testing and Counseling Certification within six (6) months of employment and are required to maintain this certification through participation in employer provided trainings for the duration of employment in this class.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Applications and supplemental responses will be screened for qualifications that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those applications exhibiting qualifications as listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step.

Structured Oral Interview Oral Exam(Weighted 100%)

Candidates will be interviewed and rated by an oral interview panel of job knowledge experts. Each candidates rating will be based on responses to a series of structured questions designed to elicit the candidates qualifications for the job.

Based on the Departments needs the selection procedures listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedure.

Eligible List

Once the assessments have been completed HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.