Public Health Investigator

Public Health Investigator

“Follow Your Calling, Find Your Career”

Salary Range: $51,111.10 – $67,083.32/year

This is an on-site role 5 days a week.

This is an exempt (salaried) position. Pay rates are based on education, skill, experience level and internal equity. Internal equity considerations include an assessment of the applicant’s salary history and qualifications in comparison to the market rate and requirements for the job.

About Us

At Mecklenburg County, you’ll have the chance to build a career as unique as you are with support, inclusive culture and technology to become the best version of you. We’re counting on YOUR unique voice and perspective to help Mecklenburg County Public Health become even better, too. Join us and build an exceptional experience for yourself, and a healthier world for all. As a member of the Mecklenburg County Public Health team, you will become a subject matter expert in the public health field. The CDC foundation explains that “Public health is the science of protecting and improving the health of people and their communities. This work is achieved by promoting health lifestyles, researching disease and injury prevention, detecting, preventing, and responding to infectious disease”. Come be a part of Mecklenburg County’s Public Health department’s vision to “assure the health and safety of our diverse and changing community today and for future generations.”

Position Summary

Perform duties related to controlling the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, HIV/STD infection, and other public health risks within Mecklenburg County. This position, as the subject matter expert, is responsible for conducting personal interviews to obtain case-related information; educating clients regarding the disease process, treatment, prevention, and legal requirements; and analyzing epidemiological information to determine the need and priority for follow-up activities.

Essential Functions

Locate, notify and counsel clients about positive laboratory test results

Interview clients with abnormal laboratory test results to provide information, risk reduction planning and to notify them of treatment recommendations

Refer clients with abnormal laboratory test results to appropriate medical services

Arrange for and ensure testing, treatment as needed on partners and suspects exposed to clients testing positive for HIV/STD’s

Locate, notify and counsel contacts who have been exposed to or at risk for HIV/STDs

Enforce disease control measures as appropriate

Develop criteria for step by step procedures to identify infections

May be required to staff shelters in the event of a disaster

Minimum Qualifications

Experience: 

Minimum of two years of related public health experience.

Education: 

Bachelor’s degree in Public Health or related field.

Combination of relevant education and relevant experience accepted?: Yes

Licenses and Certifications

Requires a valid North Carolina or South Carolina Driver’s License

Requires County Driving Privileges

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred completion of Centers for Disease Control Disease Intervention Specialist Training

Knowledge/experience working in the NC Electronic Disease Surveillance System

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of

Principles and practices of public health

Local resources and services

The disease concepts of HIV infection, AIDS, Syphilis and other STDs

Person-centered planning

Skills

Client interviewing, disease management, and client centered counseling

Excellent oral and written communication skills

Basic computer programs, word processing, and data entry, and job specific software

Establish rapport and effective communication successfully among culturally diverse populations

Abilities

Applied Learning: Assimilating and applying new job-related information in a timely manner

Collaboration: Working effectively and cooperatively with others; establishing and maintaining good working relationships

Communication: Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the information provided

Leveraging Diversity: Working effectively with individuals of diverse cultures, interpersonal styles, abilities, motivations, or backgrounds; making the most effective use of the capabilities, insights and ideas of all individuals

Patient Education/Health Promotion: Supporting, explaining, and instructing patient and patient’s family in understanding the clinical procedures and equipment used to facilitate optimum health status; promoting the lifestyle changes required of the patient and the patient’s family to achieve optimum health status

Patient Relations: Meeting patient and patient family needs; taking responsibility for a patient’s safety, satisfaction, and clinical outcomes; using appropriate interpersonal techniques to resolve difficult patient situations and regain patient confidence

Safety Intervention: Having knowledge of conditions that affect patient, self, and/or employee safety under normal conditions and conditions that occur in crisis situations; skilled in identifying conditions that might cause health or safety hazards and takes action to remove such hazards; understands all aspects of providing a safe environment for patient, self, and/or others in crisis

Computer Skills

Proficient in various computer applications including Microsoft Office Suite

To accomplish this jo

Reasonable Accommodations Statement

To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Disclaimer Statement

This is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties, skills, requirements or working conditions. Other duties may be assigned based on business need and the supervisor’s request. Mecklenburg County reserves the right to revise the job description at any time. Designated positions may be required to assist in emergency and/or disaster situations.

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