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City of Austin - JOB DESCRIPTION

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Public Health Program Specialist III
FLSA: Standard/Non-Exempt EEO Category: (20) Professionals
Class Code: 17385 Salary Grade: JT3
Approved: March 24, 2016 Last Revised: September 11, 2017

Purpose:
 
  • Under limited supervision, lead program specific, outreach and/or investigation activities of communicable diseases.
Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:
  Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.
  1. Investigate, locate, interview, and link out of care HIV positive individuals to appropriate medical care and other services.
  2. Coordinate aspects of investigations with other agencies/personnel.
  3. Train and monitor less experienced personnel in the conducting of an investigation.
  4. Counsel individuals on prevention of sexually transmitted diseases e.g. venereal diseases, AIDS, etc.
  5. Follow-up with clients to insure they are receiving proper care.
  6. Refer citizens to appropriate agency or program.
  7. Answer citizen questions & provide assistance.
  8. Conduct investigations on the origin, nature, etc. of epidemiological diseases.
  9. Perform phlebotomy and specimen collection
  10. Counsel physicians, laboratories, clinics, etc. about disease reporting requirements.
  11. Research/compile data/information and submit written reports.
  12. Assist in statistical and data analysis to identify health inequities and disparities.
  13. Provide quality assurance (QA) duties as assigned by supervisor, and as needed.
  14. Some positions may require employee to meet patients at home, work or elsewhere to perform testing or conducting interviews, as needed.
Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:
 
  • Provides leadership, work assignments, evaluation, training, and guidance to others.  May substitute in supervisor’s absence.
 
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.
  • Knowledge of general public health programs, specifically those related to communicable disease.
  • Knowledge of the principles of communicable disease spread and prevention.
  • Knowledge of laws and regulations concerning communicable disease control.
  • Skill in prioritizing tasks.
  • Skill in oral and written communications, especially interviewing techniques.
  • Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with City employees and the public.
  • Skill in recording data from interviews and investigations accurately.
Minimum Qualifications:
 
  • Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university plus two (2) years of experience in public health outreach/investigation or related field, one (1) year of which must have been working directly as an HIV/STD Disease Intervention Specialist.
  • Related experience may substitute for required education with a maximum substitution of four (4) years.
Licenses and Certifications Required:
 
  • Valid Texas Class C Driver’s License at time of hire and maintain during employment, as required by position

This description is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty required of the position given this title and shall not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of management to assign, direct and control the work of employees under supervision. The listing of duties and responsibilities shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar kind or level of difficulty.