Orange County, CA
Orange County, California, United States
May 09, 2024
Full Time
CAREER DESCRIPTION Public Health Investigator Trainee In addition to performance-based merit increases, this position is scheduled to receive salary range increases on the following dates: Effective June 28, 2024 - 4.25% increase Effective June 27, 2025 - 4.00% increase Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and the successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization. This recruitment is open to the public and will be advertised from Wednesday, May 8, 2024, to May 15, 2024. APPLICATIONS WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED ON Wednesday , May 15, 2024, until 11:59 PM PST. This recruitment is being held to establish an Open eligible list to fill current and future Public Health Investigator Trainee vacancies. This recruitment may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications throughout the County of Orange. THE COUNTY The County of Orange is a regional service provider and planning agency whose core businesses include public safety, public health, environmental protection, regional planning, public assistance, social services and aviation. THE AGENCY The County of Orange , Health Care Agency (HCA) i s a dynamic organization dedicated to creating and supporting an environment that promotes the achievement of optimal individual, family, and community health. Under the leadership of the Agency Director, a dynamic executive team with an organizational structure comprised of five (5) service areas - Strategy and Special Projects, Behavioral Health Services, Correctional Health Services, Medical Health Services, and Public Health Services - is committed to meeting the health needs of the diverse Orange County community. THE PROGRAM 17th Street Testing, Treatment and Care Clinic (TTC) is a co-located Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) Clinic and an HIV Ambulatory Care Clinic. The mission of TTC is to “serve a diverse community through testing, treatment, and care of STDs and HIV with confidential, compassionate, and comprehensive services to empower and educate our patients to lead healthy lives.” TTC cares for over 5,500 patients annually and has a multi-disciplinary team with over 70 staff members. TTC provides STD and HIV screening to individuals 12 years and older and primary medical care for uninsured people living with HIV/AIDS. Services are funded through a variety of local, state, and federal grants including the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program and Ending the HIV Epidemic. TTC provides high-quality STD and HIV services including medical care, case management, HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), HIV Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), Rapid Antiretroviral Therapy (Rapid ART), AIDS Drug Assistance Program - (ADAP), information & education on STD and HIV care, Ryan White eligibility screening, HIV partner services, and treatment adherence. THE OPPORTUNITY The Public Health Investigator Trainee (PHIT) is a health professional undergoing mentorship to engage in communicable disease intervention at the individual level, assisting patients, sexual partners, and individuals suspected of having sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV), or other communicable diseases. Through this training, the PHIT will acquire the skills to deliver responsive, high-quality services to the local health jurisdiction, external agencies, and the public, providing accurate, thorough, and timely information 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: Learns about methods of transmission, symptoms, diagnosis, diagnostic tests, development, and treatment of communicable diseases; learns Public Health laws and regulations relating to the control of communicable diseases. Learns to interview and investigate patients and other persons who may be sources or contacts to communicable diseases and learns to effectively encourage compliance to Public Health laws and recommendations. Learns to conduct field investigations and to trace suspected communicable disease contacts using information from patients, acquaintances, public authorities, and all other available means; learns to tactfully interview and counsel contacts. Learns to effectively communicate with physicians to encourage case reporting, gather information to contact patients diagnosed with communicable diseases, and to locate patient contacts. Venipunctures patients or suspects for serological testing in TB, Epidemiology, HIV Counseling and Testing Program (HCT), and the STD Program. Assists in contacting and encouraging laboratories and medical providers to report reactive tests to the Health Department. Assists in providing information and education in the communicable disease control program. Maintains records and learns to write technical case reports and summaries. May be required to transport patients in County vehicles when necessary. This position will include interviewing inmates within the OC jails. Selected candidates will be required to complete jail clearance (partial and full) during their probationary period DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & CORE COMPETENCIES The ideal candidate will possess one (1) or more years of experience providing services or education to individuals regarding health-care related matters and one (1) or more years of experience managing a caseload with deadlines. Additionally, the ideal candidate will have experience working professionally with two (2) or more of the following populations: clients with HIV/STD; clients with communicable or infectious diseases; clients with mental health or homeless concerns; clients who identify with the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community; incarcerated clients; and/or clients that have a current or history of substance abuse. Bilingual skills in the following languages are highly desirable for this position, but not required: Spanish, Vietnamese, and/or Chinese. The ideal candidate will also demonstrate knowledge and experience in the following competencies: HIV & STI Knowledge | Public Health Surveillance Experience Possessing knowledge of diagnostic tests for 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. Knowledge of communicable diseases; disease intervention, prevention, and early detection; and appropriate resources Techniques and methods of investigative interviewing; health education techniques regarding communicable diseases Gathering/analyzing data to identify sources of infection. Working with online reporting and data systems (e.g., CalREDIE, LEO) Prioritizing and managing a workload that includes a caseload of clients. Utilizing social media and virtual technology (e.g., dating websites and applications, etc.) to facilitate public health investigations and surveillance. Prioritizing and managing a workload that includes a caseload of clients. 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 representing diverse cultures and background Treating County employees, representative of outside agencies and members of the public with courtesy and respect Assessing the customer's immediate needs and ensuring customer's receipt of needed services through personal service or making appropriate referral Exercising appropriate judgment in answering questions and releasing information; analyzing and projecting consequences of decisions and/or recommendations. Communicating effectively with a variety of individuals representing diverse cultures and backgrounds and functioning calmly in situations that require a high degree of sensitivity, tact, and diplomacy, i.e., gender-diverse, sexually diverse, street-involved/homeless, and substance-using individuals. 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 Oral | Written Communication Skills Conducting investigative interviewing in both office and field settings Providing counseling on communicable disease prevention and control within specific public health areas Communicating tactfully and effectively 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 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Click here to learn more about the minimum qualifications for the Public Health Investigator Trainee classification as well as the physical and mental requirements and the environmental and working conditions. RECRUITMENT PROCESS Human Resource Services (HRS) screens all application materials for minimum and/or desirable qualifications. After screening, applicants who meet the qualifications will be referred to the next step in the recruitment process. All applicants will be notified via email of their status in the process. Veterans Employment Preference Policy (VEPP) The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click here to review the policy. Application Screening (Refer/Non-Refer) 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 candidates who meet the qualifications listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step. Online Assessment | (Weighted 100%) Candidates whose applications reflect the most job-related experience and training will be invited to online assessments. Only the most qualified candidates 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 candidate's rating will be based on responses to a series of structured questions designed to elicit the candidate's qualifications for the job. Based on the Department's 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 assessment has 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. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Please see below for important information regarding COVID-19 related requirements. Effective April 3, 2023, it is strongly recommended that County employees working in health care settings and correctional facilities follow vaccination and booster guidelines provided by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Please click here to see the latest guidance for more details Email Notification Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account. NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply. Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com . Frequently Asked Questions Click here for additional Frequently Asked Questions. For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Carissa Sevilla at (714) 834-6208 or csevilla@ochca.com EEO INFORMATION Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply. Agency County of Orange Address 400 W CIVIC CENTER DRIVE Santa Ana, California, 92701 Phone 714-834-2555 Website https://hrs.ocgov.com Non-Management Benefits In addition to the County's standard suite of benefits, such as a variety of health plan options, annual leave and paid holidays--we also offer an excellent array of benefits such as a Health Care Reimbursement Account, 457 Defined Contribution Plan and Annual Education and Professional Reimbursement. Employees are provided a Retirement Plan through the Orange County Employees Retirement System (OCERS). Please go to the following link to find out more about Defined Benefit Pensions and OCERS Plan Types/Benefits. http://www.ocers.org/active-member-information Click here for information about benefits offered to County of Orange employees. Closing Date/Time: 5/15/2024 11:59 PM Pacific