Communicable Diseases Specialist II - County of Riverside
Riverside, CA 92501
About the Job
The Riverside University Health System Public Health Department has a Communicable Diseases Specialist II (CDS II)opportunity with their Tuberculosis and Disease Control Division. A valid CA drivers license and CPR card are required for this role. A Phlebotomist certificate (CPT-1) is preferred and may be required within one year of hire.This position has a 9/80, office based schedule - 7:30 - 5:00 with every other Friday off.
The Communicable Diseases Specialist II is primarily responsible for the investigation of and follow-up with patients positive for various infectious diseases. Investigations and follow-up can take place in the office, clinical, and field settings and may include direct client interviews/counseling, coordinating medical and laboratory data from medical providers, disease control intervention efforts, education activities, providing standardized recommendations, and conducting in-depth disease surveillance activities.
Incumbents may work in support of communicable disease clinics, including performing phlebotomy, administering tuberculin (TB) tests, collecting and processing lab specimens, providing patients with their lab results, providing pre- and post-test counseling, and assisting in the completion of health assessment questionnaires and related forms.
The Communicable Diseases Specialist II is distinguished from the next higher classification of Communicable Diseases Specialist III in that the latter provides lead direction, technical assistance and training to subordinate staff and performs the specialized assignments.
Advancement to the next level is obtained by competitive selection through an open recruitment.
Meet the Team: https://www.ruhealth.org/ruhs-public-health
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES
• Interview patients to determine location of known contacts and to trace other persons who may be sources of acute communicable diseases; conduct field investigations and trace suspected communicable disease contacts using information from patients, acquaintances, public agency authorities, and other available sources.
• Coordinate with medical providers, laboratories and other health departments to secure and transmit medical and laboratory information related to clients/patients.
• Enter and maintain confidential client/patient data into electronic health records, state disease surveillance and/or local databases; document progress notes; access patient information, such as lab results and treatment verifications.
• Interview and counsel contacts, encouraging compliance to public health laws and observance of recommended health practices.
• Visit physicians, laboratories, medical institutions, and clinics to provide information on most current and effective diagnostic and treatment techniques and to encourage the reporting of communicable disease cases.
• Perform phlebotomy for blood testing, rapid human immunodeficiency virus/hepatitis C virus (HIV/HCV) testing, and other sexually transmitted infection testing; assist clients with self-collected specimens, provide pre- and post-testing counseling, make referrals to medical providers.
• Conduct informational and educational presentations on the prevention of communicable diseases.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with federal, state and local health department personnel; maintain case files and reports.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
OPTION I
Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in biological science, public health, psychology, sociology, social work, or a closely related field to the assignment. (Experience working in a public health or medical setting may substitute for the required education based on one year of full-time experience equaling 30 semester or 45 quarter units.)
Experience: One year of performing communicable diseases investigation and control.
OPTION II
License:Possession of a valid license to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State of California.
Experience:One year as a Registered Nurse.
OPTION III
License: Possession of a valid license to practice as a Licensed Vocational Nurse in the State of California.
Experience:Three years as a Licensed Vocational Nurse.
ALL OPTIONS
Knowledge of:The methods of transmission, diagnosis, development, and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infection and other communicable diseases; accepted techniques of diseases control; the principle public health laws and regulations relating to the control of diseases; investigating, interviewing and counseling techniques and principles; personal safety techniques; applicable federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations.
Ability to:Establish rapport with and gain confidence and trust of patients of varied cultures, races/ ethnicities, languages, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, gender identities and expression, religious beliefs, immigration status, national origins, and medical comorbidities; conduct interviews of a very sensitive nature in a respectful and non-judgmental manner; work with and around blood-borne pathogens and other infectious diseases utilizing appropriate personal protective equipment; apply working knowledge of medical terms and technology to enable discussion and explanation of communicable diseases with professional and nonprofessional people; display high standards of conduct and ethics and understand the impact of violating confidentiality standards on the patient, program, self, and others; prepare clear and concise reports and correspondence; deal effectively with a wide variety of personality types; obtain the cooperation of patients; communicate orally and in writing.
Other Requirements:
License/Certificate: Possession of a valid California Driver's License is required for this position.
A current CPR card is required at time of appointment and must be maintained throughout employment in this class.
Within one year of employment, some positions require satisfactory completion of, and thereafter, maintenance of, a State of California Phlebotomy or equivalent license that allows phlebotomy such as Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) license with special certification for Intravenous (IV) Therapy and Blood Withdraw.
Within one year of employment, some positions require satisfactory completion of, and thereafter, maintenance of, required training related to assignment, which may include but is not limited to tuberculin skin testing, Passport to Partner Services, Basic Counseling Skills Training, California HIV Test Counselor certification, Fundamentals of Street Safety, Training/Operations for Safety Around Field Encounters, and/or Advanced Sexually Transmitted Disease Intervention, or their equivalent.
Annual Fit Testing for N95 respirator and CPR is required and provided for by the County.
Pre-Employment
All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of both a pre-employment physical exam, including a drug/alcohol test, and a criminal background investigation, which involves fingerprinting. (A felony or misdemeanor conviction may disqualify the applicant from County employment.)
Probationary Period
As an Approved Local Merit System, all County of Riverside employees, except those serving "At Will," are subject to the probationary period provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, County Resolution, or Salary Ordinance. Temporary and Per Diem employees serve at the pleasure of the agency/department head.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
What's Next?
Open Recruitment
This recruitment is open to all applicants. Employees of the County of Riverside/Department of Public Health may be given priority consideration depending on the volume of applications received.
Application Period
BASED ON THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS RECEIVED, THIS POSTING MAY CLOSE WITHOUT NOTICE.
Applications received prior to the closing date will be considered based on the information submitted. Changes or alterations cannot be accepted. All applicants must submit a complete application by the closing date of this recruitment. No late applications will be permitted.
Include relevant work experience details on your resume and/or application.
Applicants who fail to provide information demonstrating they possess the position requirements may not be considered further in the application process. A description of job duties directly copied from the job classification or job posting will not be considered.
Upload a copy of any license(s), official/unofficial transcript(s), degrees, and/or related employment documents to your NeoGov account. If your education was completed outside of the United States, you will need to provide a copy of your Foreign Education Equivalency evaluation from a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services ( NACES ) or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. ( AICE ).
For questions regarding this recruitment contact the recruiter,Angela Levinson:
alevinson@rivco.org / 951-955-5562
________________________________________________________________________________________
APPLICATION INFORMATION
Veteran's Preference
The County has a Veterans Preference Policy applicable to new hires. To qualify, upload a copy of your (or your spouse's) Member-4 Form DD-214 indicating dates of service, and a copy of your spouse's letter of disability (if applicable) with your application. For privacy reasons, it is recommended that you remove your social security information from the document(s). A Human Resources Representative will review the materials and determine if you qualify for veterans' preference.The Veterans Preference Policy, C-3 is available here: https://rivcocob.org/board-policies
Reasonable Accommodations
The County of Riverside is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter for the position noted above. For additional information and/or to obtain the appropriate form for requesting a reasonable accommodation, please visit the Disability Access Office web page located at: https://rc-hr.com/disability
Proof of Education
If using education to qualify or when requested by the recruiter, upload a copy of any license(s), official/unofficial transcript(s), degrees, and/or related employment documents to your NeoGov account at the time of application and before the closing date. Official or unofficial transcripts will be accepted.
If your education was completed outside of the United States, you will need to provide a copy of your Foreign Education Equivalency evaluation from a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services ( NACES ) or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. ( AICE ).
Equal Opportunity Employer
The County of Riverside is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the County of Riverside to provide equal employment opportunities for all qualified persons. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, or denial of medical and family care leave, or any other non-job-related factors.
Pre-Employment
All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment requirements including a criminal background investigation, which involves fingerprinting. (A felony or misdemeanor conviction may disqualify the applicant from County employment). A pre-employment physical examination and background check may be required.
Probationary Period
As an Approved Local Merit System, all County of Riverside employees, except those serving "At Will," are subject to the probationary period provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, County Resolution, or Salary Ordinance. Temporary and Per Diem employees serve at the pleasure of the agency/department head.
General Information
Current County of Riverside and/or current employees of the hiring department may receive priority consideration. Qualified candidates may be considered for future County vacancies.
Job postings may close without notice based on application volume. Submit your complete application by the recruitment close date; no late applications are accepted. Ensure all relevant experience/education is reflected on your application/resume, as a failure to demonstrate position requirements may disqualify applicants. A description of job duties directly copied from the job classification or job posting will not be considered.
Please read and follow any special application instructions on this posting. Click the 'Apply' link located on this page to submit your application. For additional instructions on the application process, examinations, Veteran's preference, pre-employment accommodation or other employment questions, please refer to our web site, www.rc-hr.com .
If you are experiencing technical problems, you may contact the governmentjobs.com applicant support desk Monday through Friday, 6 am to 5 pm Pacific Time at support@governmentjobs.com or toll-free 1-855-524-5627.
MEDICAL/DENTAL/VISION INSURANCE: A choice of different medical, dental and visions plan are available to elect. The County provides a Flexible Benefit Credit contribution as governed by the applicable LIUNA Memorandum of Understanding to contribute towards the cost of these plans.
Note: Employees on assignment through the Temporary Assignment Program (TAP) receive different benefits. See the list here .
MISCELLANEOUS RETIREMENT: County of Riverside has three retirement Tiers through the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS).
- Tier I (Classic Member - Formula 3% @ 60): Applicable to current and former County of Riverside local miscellaneous employees hired prior to 08/24/2012 and did not withdraw CalPERS contributions. The employee contribution is eight (8%) percent.
- Tier II (Classic Member - Formula 2% @ 60): Applicable to local miscellaneous employees 1) hired after 08/23/2012 through 12/31/2012; 2) Previously employed with another CalPERS contracting public agency or a reciprocal retirement system, with a break in service of less than six months between the separation date with the previous employer and the appointment date with the County of Riverside. The employee contribution is seven (7%) percent.
- Tier III (PEPRA New Member - Formula 2% @ 62): Applicable to CalPERS local miscellaneous new members hired on or after the implementation of the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) which took effect January 1, 2013. Effective July 1, 2023 employee contributions are 7.25% and will increase to 7.75% effective July 1, 2024.
A new member is defined as any of the following:
CalPERS refers to all members that do not fit within the definition of a new member as "classic members".
Contribution rates are subject to change based on the County of Riverside annual actuarial valuation.
Note:
This summary is for general information purposes only. Additional questions regarding retirement formulas can be sent to retirement@rivco.org or by calling the Benefits Information Line at (951) 955-4981,
Option 2.
If you have prior service credit with another CalPERS agency or within agencies, please contact CalPERS at (888) 225-7377 to determine which retirement tier would be applicable to you. CalPERS is governed by the Public Employees' Retirement Law. The Retirement Law is complex and subject to change. If there's any conflict between this summary and the law, the law will prevail over this summary.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Voluntary employee contribution with a choice between two 457 deferred compensation plan options.
VACATION ACCRUAL (Bi-Weekly Accrual):
0< 3 year = 80 Hours (10 Days)
4< 9 years = 120 Hours (15 Days)
10 or more years = 160 Hours (20 Days)
Maximum Vacation leave accumulation is 480 hours.
SICK LEAVE: Four (4) hours Sick Leave accrual per pay period with unlimited accrual.
HOLIDAYS: Normally 12 paid holidays per year
BEREAVEMENT LEAVE: Allowed 5 days (3 days are County paid; 2 additional days can be taken from accrued Sick Leave balance)
BASIC LIFE INSURANCE: Equal to one times annual base salary not to exceed $50,000 of term life coverage. Premiums are paid by the County. Additional Supplemental Life plan is available for employee purchase.
DISABILITY: Short-term Disability benefit pays up to a maximum of $461.54 weekly, payable up to a maximum of 52 weeks.
POST RETIREMENT MEDICAL CONTRIBUTION: A monthly contribution is made by the County towards retiree health insurance offered through the County as governed by the applicable Memorandum of Understanding.
OTHER: There may be other benefit provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding. Please contact the recruiter listed on the job posting directly for more information.