County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under direction, the Senior Health Investigator will lead, plan, coordinate and participate in communicable disease investigation and intervention activities; will train, direct and supervise Public Health Investigators and other personnel involved in disease surveillance and intervention activities; and will develop and perform quality assurance activities.


DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This position is responsible for general scheduling and review of work of Public Health Investigators and other personnel as well as serving as a working supervisor or lead person.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Conduct full range of disease surveillance activities for communicable diseases including, but not limited to: field investigations, confidential interviews, case management, clinic and lab visits, partner notification, PDT or DOT; preparation and submittal of required surveillance reports; and provider consultation/queries.

2. Provide consultation and/or handle complex investigations and interviews; consult with appropriate clinicians and leaders for medical or clinical input as needed.

3. Lead, plan, assign, review and supervise the work of Public Health Investigators, surveillance clerks, medical clerks and other disease investigation and intervention staff.
4. Assist with development, implementation and evaluation of procedures and protocols.

5. Participate in the hiring and selection process of certain disease intervention staff. Train assigned staff in disease investigation and intervention procedures; provide technical guidance to staff.

6. Conduct formal performance evaluation of staff using approved performance evaluation documents in accordance with County, Agency, Union and if applicable, departmental policies and procedures. Support professional development of staff and implement discipline as necessary.

7. Develop and conduct quality assurance and productivity assessments of work, performed by assigned staff to ensure compliance with approved guidelines and procedures.

8. Participate in ongoing development and maintenance of surveillance databases.

9. Prepare/review and submit all reports, claiming documents, time studies, and encounter forms within the established timeframes.

10. Build and maintain working relationships with providers, health care facilities and community organizations; coordinate technical assistance to achieve timely disease reporting at active and passive surveillance sites.

11. Work with epidemiologists and Information Systems staff to access and interpret surveillance data to support communicable disease prevention, control and surveillance activities.

12. Establish and maintain liaison with public and private organizations; State, Federal and local government agencies; and intra-interdepartmental programs.

13. Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Pattern I

Experience:

The equivalent of three years’ full-time experience in the class of Public Health Investigator in the Alameda County classified service. (Non-classified includes District Attorney’s Office, Hospital Authority, and the Consolidated Courts).

Or

Pattern II

Education:

Possession of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in public health, a biological science, social welfare, health care administration, business administration or related field.

AND
Experience:

The equivalent of one year in the class of Public Health Investigator in the Alameda County classified service. (Non-classified includes District Attorney’s Office, Hospital Authority, and the Consolidated Courts.)

Or

Pattern III

Education:

Possession of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in public health, a biological science, social welfare, health care administration, business administration or related field.

AND
Experience:

The equivalent of two years’ full-time experience as a Public Health Investigator, Disease Intervention Specialist, Disease Control Investigator, Health Worker or in a comparable capacity providing disease investigative or social services to the public. (A master’s degree in public health, business administration, health care administration, social welfare or related field may be substituted for one year of experience in pattern III).

License:

Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's license.

Special Requirement:

All persons must be 21 years of age by the date of appointment.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of lead supervision and employee training.
• Communicable disease prevention principles and practices, characteristics, risk factors, symptoms and treatment of diseases.
• Current disease surveillance and field investigation methods.
• Clinical interviewing and counseling principles and techniques.
• Principles of program planning, development and evaluation.
• Clinic and laboratory operations.
• Functions of a local public health department agency as related to the prevention, discovery and control of communicable diseases.
• Practices and techniques of programmatic analysis and report preparation.
• State laws and regulations pertaining to the prevention and control of communicable diseases.
• Word processing, database management, spreadsheets.
• Modern office practice, procedures, and organizational tools.

Ability to:

• Communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.
• Communicate professionally with the public and the medical community.
• Make effective and timely administrative decisions.
• Select, train and supervise multi-disciplinary staff.
• Effectively plan, lead, organize and review the work of staff.
• Work independently in the absence of supervision.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with staff, clients, providers, etc.
• Respond to requests and inquiries from various entities in a timely and professional manner.
• Monitor progress of multiple projects; effectively follow-through on deliverables.
• Demonstrate interpersonal sensitivity.
• Demonstrate cultural competency, ethnic awareness, and equitable service delivery to all residents of the County.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Interview individuals and their partner(s) to determine medically relevant information and risk factor data.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

PB:lh
12/27/74
LB:pb
Updated: 9/3/86
Old document: 0537h
New document: Jobspecs/5773
ys/7/01
CSC Date: 1/7/77
HMC:cs Revised 10/8/13
CSC Date: 10/16/13
DRH:cs Revised 9/2/15
CSC Date: 9/16/15

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees)
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Management Paid Leave**
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.