Disease Investigator

Definition

**IF YOU PREVIOUSLY APPLIED FOR THIS POSITION, YOU DO NOT NEED TO RE-SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION**

Under general supervision of the Chief Public Health Officer within the Public Health Department. This position investigates complaints, conducts inspections, and gathers data related to public health concerns and active cases to determine and locate individuals in the community who may have a communicable disease or have been exposed to reportable diseases. This position serves a vital role in enforcing applicable health laws and standards, as well as investigating, preventing, and controlling the spread of diseases. This job class is treated as FLSA Non-Exempt and considered a Driving position.

Essential Functions: Essential functions may vary among positions, but may include the following tasks, knowledge, abilities, skills, and other characteristics. This list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not intended to be a comprehensive listing of tasks performed by all positions in this classification.

Examples of Tasks

Public Health Investigations: Investigates complaints, conducts inspections and gathers data related to public health concerns.

Investigate complaints of alleged violations of the sanitary code and local health ordinances.

Conduct inspections in apartments and homes to determine compliance with SRPMIC Ordinances.

Inspect buildings for the presence of health nuisances and environmental factors.

Work in an assigned district to check for visible health violations and refer them to Sanitary Inspectors.

Disease Investigations: Investigates active cases to determine and locate individuals who may have a communicable disease or have been exposed to reportable diseases.

Conduct field visits and telephone investigations by researching, identifying, locating, and contacting individuals who are infected or may have been exposed to a reportable disease and refer those individuals for diagnosis and treatment to reduce the spread of the disease

Conduct assessments of the active concerns within the environment, which may be their home or workplace, to assess factors that may contribute to the spread of disease.

Communicate with medical providers, produce data reports, and educate patients and providers regarding disease interventions.

Interview patients to elicit contacts and obtain epidemiological information, such as risk factors and previous disease status.

Public Health Representation & documentation: Provides the Community with a health law and standards enforcement, prevention and contact tracing.

Answer inquiries and provide information related to health laws.

Create and maintain case investigation documents, records, and reports

Prepare case histories and reports of investigations.

Maintain essential records and files.

Distribute literature concerning public health campaigns within the community.

Extensive fieldwork, including driving a company vehicle, during the normal course of business.

Public Health Emergency Response: Ability to participate in emergency response training as scheduled and be available to respond as directed in the event of a public health emergency

Miscellaneous: Performs other job related duties as assigned to maintain and enhance departmental operations.

Knowledge, Skills , Abilities, and Other Characteristics:

• Knowledge of the history, culture, laws, rules, customs and traditions of the SRPMIC.
• Knowledge of the purpose, current issues, projects, organization, policies, and employee responsibilities of the division to which assigned.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal health laws and standards as it relates to health care and public health.
• Knowledge of the problems and procedures involved in investigating sanitary conditions and the philosophy of maintaining public health standards.
• Knowledge of MS Office tools including but not limited to MS Teams, MS SharePoint, MS Excel, etc.
• Knowledge of working with epidemiological data within Tribal Communities

• Ability to comprehend established rules and regulations and build and modify for process and policies.
• Ability to learn and utilize the various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency, office and related units.
• Ability to interview persons of varying backgrounds.
• Ability to use tact and courtesy while making investigations in person, on the phone, or in written communication.
• Ability to observe and analyze significant conditions and make recommendations based on the data collected to all levels of the organizations.
• Ability to have strong verbal and written communication skills and communicating with a diverse group of people.
• Ability to prepare suitable reports.
• Ability to maintain essential records and files.
• Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Ability to conduct field investigations, interviewing patients and contacts, and/or conducting environmental assessments

Minimum Qualifications

Education& Experience: High school diploma/GED required. An Associate's degree in Public Health, Health Care Administration or closely related discipline preferred.

• A minimum of six (6) months of experience in field investigations, which includes the gathering of significant personal data and the compilation of data into meaningful reports.
• A minimum of one (1) year experience in health promotion, public health, medical technology, health sciences, or a health-related field preferred.
• Within one year of hire complete:
• the ICS 100-200-300
• American Red Cross Shelter training
• Disease Investigator training courses
• Equivalency: Any equivalent combination of experience and education that will allow the applicant to satisfactorily perform the duties of the job may be considered when filing the position.

• Underfill Eligibility: An enrolled Community Member whom closely qualifies for the minimum qualifications for a position may be considered for employment under SRPMIC Policy 2-19, Underfill

Special Requirements

• Special Requirements: Employment is contingent upon successful completion of an extensive background check and drug screening. Employees in, and applicants applying for, jobs providing direct services to children are subject to the "Community Code of Ordinances", Chapter 11, "Minors", Article X. "Investigation of Persons Working With Children".
• May be required to work beyond normal work hours including nights, weekends and holidays.

Prior to hire as an employee, applicants will be subject to drug and alcohol testing. Will be required to pass a pre-employment background/fingerprint check.

"SRPMIC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer" Preference will be given to a qualified : Community Member Veteran, Community Member, Spouse of Community Member, qualified Native American, and then other qualified candidate.

In order to obtain preference, the following is required: 1) Qualified Community Member Veteran (DD-214) will be required at the time of application submission 2) Qualified Community Member (must provide Tribal I.D at time of application submission),3) Spouse of a Community Member (Marriage License/certificate and spouse Tribal ID or CIB is required at time of application submission), and 4) Native American (Tribal ID or CIB required at time of application submission).

Documents may be submitted by one of the following methods:

1) attach to application

2) fax (480) 362-5860

3) mail or hand deliver to Human Resources.

Documentation must be received by position closing date.

The IHS/BIA Form-4432 is not accepted .

Your Tribal ID/CIB must be submitted to HR-Recruitment-Two Waters.

Benefits:

The SRPMIC offers a comprehensive benefit package including medical, dental, vision, life, disability insurance, and a 401(k) retirement plan. In addition employees enjoy vacation and sick leave and 13 paid holidays.