4A09
PAY RANGE: EP17
(General)
(Bilingual)
GENERAL DEFINITION
This is public health disease surveillance and control work at the full performance level. Employees in the HIV Diseases assignment are responsible for reviewing case information concerning incidences of HIV and AIDS related syndromes in Philadelphia County. Employees in the Infectious Diseases assignment are responsible for conducting on-site field investigations for the purpose of detecting and controlling infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, salmonellosis, hepatitis, measles, and others. Positions allocated to the Infectious Diseases assignment are responsible for an assigned caseload of persons known or suspected of having an infectious disease and their contacts. Contact with public and private health care providers, registries, laboratories and the general public to collect information and insure accurate reporting of data is a significant aspect of the work. Work is often performed in the field and working conditions may involve some disagreeable aspects. Work is performed under the direction of a Disease Surveillance Program Supervisor.
ALLOCATING FACTORS: (The following conditions must be met for a position to be allocated to this class.)
1. Employees must perform public health disease surveillance work at the full performance level concerning incidences of HIV diseases and related syndromes; or in the detection and control of infectious diseases.
2. Employees must perform detailed epidemiologic case investigations.
3. Positions must be located in the Disease Control Division or the AIDS Activities Coordinating Office (AACO) of the Health Department.
TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)
HIV Diseases Assignment
Performs surveillance activities to identify cases of HIV diseases and related syndromes; contacts health care providers, registries and laboratories to determine incidence of HIV diseases in the general population; implements and maintains contact, reporting, and feedback mechanisms for HIV diseases and related syndromes; makes site visits to health care facilities and engages in other required surveillance to track progress of HIV cases.
Performs detailed epidemiologic case investigations on selected HIV cases; obtains clearance from physicians to interview patients if needed; interviews patients to determine case history and possible source of infection; determines medical status of families of HIV patients.
Prepares surveillance information for inclusion in HIV disease central registry records; collects and consolidates epidemiologic data on HIV related syndromes; prepares reports on HIV cases for the State Department of Health using standard forms and codes; reviews statistics from the Federal Center for Disease Control for accuracy.
Provide assistance in statistical analysis projects to determine infection trends and high risk populations; collects data on hospital stay durations and care costs for HIV patients in order to forecast health resource needs for future allocations; prepares home care costs for HIV patients.
May present information on surveillance activities in forums, lectures and education programs on HIV diseases and related syndromes for health care providers; assists program staff in the development of educational and training materials; provides data for inclusion in grant applications to receive federal and state funding for HIV disease surveillance and public health education projects; prepares periodic reports of surveillance activities as required by grants.
Performs related work as required.
Infectious Diseases Assignment
Conducts field investigations of persons suspected of having or known to have an infectious disease; searches files of public agencies in attempt to locate the individuals; educates the individuals on the causes, symptoms, effects, and treatments of the diseases; motivates individuals to seek medical diagnosis and treatment; elicits the names and locations of persons in contact with diseased individuals; conducts follow‑up investigations to determine that medical care has been received.
Collects diagnostic, clinical, social, and demographic data on all reported cases through on-site field visits; takes and processes blood and other specimens to detect the presence of communicable diseases; may conduct HIV or other tests as needed in the field; obtains sputum samples, rectal swabs and fecal specimens as might be indicated.
Contacts private physicians and laboratories to explain the objectives and functions of public health disease control; solicits their cooperation in furnishing the names and addresses of persons found by them to have infectious diseases.
May participate in periodic immunization programs and audits for infectious disease control; supports the TB Control Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) program by delivering and observing patient-administration of prescribed medications.
Prepares written reports of time spent on assigned cases, information obtained in the course of investigations, and results of investigations.
Performs related work as required.
BILINGUAL SPECIALTY
Performs the duties above in either specialty with members of a designated non‑English language speaking community.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
KNOWLEDGE OF:
U. S. Public Health Service Standards for disease surveillance and infectious disease control
general public health practices and procedures
the methods and techniques of disease control field investigation
interviewing and motivating principles and techniques as they relate to disease control investigation
the techniques of disease control investigation for the Infectious Diseases assignment
statistical methods and techniques used in descriptive epidemiology
the applicable medical aspects of HIV diseases and related syndromes for the HIV Diseases assignment
the applicable medical aspects of infectious diseases for the Infectious Diseases assignment
the methods and techniques involved in administering vaccines and tuberculin skin tests, and in taking and processing specimens for disease for the Infectious Diseases assignment
laws, standards, and policies pertaining to confidentiality and privacy of health and surveillance information
SKILL IN:
administering vaccines and tuberculin skin tests for the Infectious Diseases assignment
eliciting the names and locations of persons in contact with individuals with infectious diseases for the Infectious Diseases assignment
interviewing and eliciting sensitive information
ABILITY TO:
compile and analyze data to identify public health problems
prepare reports and present findings and conclusions in a clear and comprehensive manner both orally and in writing
employ tact, diplomacy and judgment in dealing with sensitive problems and hostile attitudes
prepare specimens for examination with a dark field microscope for the Infectious Diseases assignment
perform field work in a variety of locations (e.g., patient homes, schools, or medical care sites)
comply with all laws, standards, and policies pertaining to confidentiality and privacy of health and surveillance information
establish and maintain effective relationships with infected individuals, representatives of governmental agencies, physicians and nurses, health care providers, associates and the general public
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE (The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Applications submitted by candidates for this class will be reviewed based on training and experience requirements as approved on 8/15).
EDUCATION:
ALL SPECIALTIES
Completion of a Bachelor's degree program from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Public Health, Disease Surveillance, Health Education, Life Sciences, Epidemiology or a closely related field.
AND
GENERAL EXPERIENCE
One year of technical experience performing public health disease surveillance and control work or performing community health education or outreach.
AND
SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE:
One year of experience at the entry level performing public health disease surveillance work, monitoring and controlling infectious diseases or HIV diseases and related syndromes.
NOTE: Completion of a Masters Degree from an from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Public Health, Disease Surveillance, Health Education, Life Sciences, Epidemiology or a closely related field satisfies the general experience requirement.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT FOR THE BILINGUAL SPECIALTY
Sufficient training and/or experience to be able to understand and speak fluently and clearly in English and a designated non‑English language.
City of Philadelphia class that typically meets the specific experience requirement:
Disease Surveillance Investigator 1 (4A08)
NOTE: Selective Factor Certification may be utilized, as needed, to fill specific positions. In accordance with Civil Service Regulation 11.032 - Selective Factor Certification - the appointing authority may request certification of eligible candidates experience in the area of assignment to fill specific positions in this class. Certification to fill such positions will be made from the two highest-ranking eligible candidates on the eligible list who possess the specified experience.
PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS
Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.
LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND/OR CERTIFICATES
Possession of a valid proper class motor vehicle operator's license as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania prior to appointment and during tenure of appointment as a Disease Surveillance Investigator 2.
Class Established: CSC ‑ 6/88, Ad. Board ‑ 7/88
Spec. Revision: CSC 7/11,Ad. Board 9/11
Latest Spec. Revision: CSC- 8/15, Ad. Board- 8/15
CW