Bilingual Public Health Worker Sr. - Public Health

Are you looking to make an impact in your community? Join the team at Marion County Health and Human Services as a Bilingual Public Health Worker Senior. If you are passionate about making a difference and would like to help slow down the spread of sexually transmitted disease, this may be the job for you. We are looking for a Bilingual candidate who has experience in case management, is collaborative, flexible and possesses excellent communication skills. 

Some of the key responsibilities of this position include:
 1. Provide client centered counseling on reducing risks of acquiring STIs.
 2. Interview individuals diagnosed with reportable STI/HIV to identify others at risk for infection.
 3. Perform Rapid HIV/Syphilis testing and phlebotomy.
 4. Offer free STI testing at events throughout the community.

Disease Surveillance Investigation and Partner Services for HIV/STI Statewide Services (HSSS)

Planning and Preparation for Case and Field Work

• Receives reports of STI’s/HIV that require an interview and public health follow-up
• Initiate investigation within 48 hours of assigned case and elicit contacts
• Effectively utilize telephone calls, text messaging and letters to confidentially locate individuals with a reported STI or HIV diagnosis
• Interview individuals diagnosed with reportable STI/HIV to identify others at risk for infection

• Gather, assess, and review client and community information using various investigation procedures including interviewing or datamining

• Identify, locate, notify & refer for examination and or/ treatment sex partners of person infected with a sexually transmitted infection(s) including field visits to confidentially locate individuals with a reportable STI/HIV
• Assess and prioritize intervention activities
• Maintain field supplies and comply with field safety plans

Investigation activities

• Conduct investigations using various investigation methodologies, (e.g. including field visit investigations, investigations using electronic tools)

• Document interventions activities in a timely manner per local protocol
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive client and protected health information

Client encounters and Interviewing

• Verify the client’s identity during client encounter or prior to disclosing confidential information

• Notify and educate clients concerning test results, disease exposure, and provide client centered counseling on reducing risks of acquiring STI’s in the future

• Conduct comprehensive interviews employing effective communication skills
• Ensure and promote a confidential environment for client communications

• Inform clients of the importance of seeking care and refer them appropriately to community or medical resources 
• If appropriate, make appointments for sex partners to be seen at a county health department clinic
• Collaborate with clients to gather information on environmental risk history, risk reduction plan, third parties at risk, or venues where the client or others may have been exposed to disease
• Identify client barriers to needed interventions to conduct partner/contact notifications, and/or coordinate solutions to those barriers
• Verify that clients received testing, adequate treatment and follow-up services as appropriate
• Effectively utilize ORPHEUS database for casework and surveillance
• Accurate completion of HSSS entries of required data into ORPHEUS
• Update and maintain case tracking sheet in Excel
• Assists with HSSS Coordinator with OHA Not in Care list for appropriate follow up to link cases back into HIV care

Care Analysis

• Determine disease intervention time frames, procedures and objectives
• Recognize or address gaps in information elicited and conduct client interviews to collect necessary information
• Participates in HSSS ORPHEUS data audits
• Review available case information and conduct case analysis meetings to determine case priority level and/or additional steps for intervention with Program Supervisor and Health Officer

Community Outreach Testing and follow up

• Performs Rapid HIV /syphillis testing and treatment follow up services in accordance with local Standing order and protocols
• Assists RN to collect lab specimens, blood draw, urine, swabs
• Performs Phlebotomy, complete lab paperwork and charting in a timely manner
• Provides health education to clients concerning HIV/STI information and prevention, test results, and client centered counseling on reducing STI/HIV risks per local protocol
• Utilizes a variety of communication strategies to engage the target population
• Assists clients with forms (consent, HIPAA, demographics, history, ROI) as needed
• Checks temperatures every hour for Rapid HIV/Syphillis test kits and Rapid HIV/ syphillis test controls
• Helps assure that outreach materials and supplies are stocked, ready for outreach events and updated
• Assists in driving the mobile outreach van
• Assists with cleaning and maintenance of mobile outreach van
• Drive to outreach service locations, attend meetings, participate in health fairs, errands for supplies, lab specimens or for special projects.
• Tracks and reports data to meet program requirements to inform decision makers and other stakeholders
• Enters data entry into CDC program Evaluation Web, a federal HIV testing database
• Conducts monthly outreach supply inventory, tracking and documentation for test kits
• Assists with condoms distribution with making pre-packed supplies and condom orders 
• Receives lab reports of STI’s/HIV that require public health follow-up with RN or provider that require coordinating follow up per standing orders.

Health Promotion and Community Engagement

• Implement activities planned by program coordinator for HIV/STI Statewide Standard (HSSS) Program and Clinic services to develop, implement, and maintain a data driven, culturally appropriate community outreach plan to at risk populations and the agencies/providers serving them
• Participate in the development and implementation of new models of health promotion including but not limited to effective behavioral interventions for community and individual behavior change
• Shares mission and values with collaborating organizations, the community, and advocates for needed services and future direction of services
• Stays current on HIV prevention and interventions; meet performance standards and deadlines set forth by county program and partnering agencies regarding quantity, timeliness, and quality works, maintain clinical records in accordance with Federal, State, County Health, and program requirements under the direction of the facilities clinical supervisor

• This position provides services to monolingual Spanish-speaking clients; therefore, fluent bilingual Spanish/English skills are required. An additional 5% will be added to the hourly wage as compensation for this skill. Finalist will be required to pass a verbal and written Standardized Language Fluency Assessment as part of the hiring process.
• Must possess a current driver's license in the applicant's state of residence and an acceptable driving history.  Marion County will obtain a copy of the driving record for all qualified applicants from Driver and Motor Vehicle Services and review the driving record according to the Marion County policy and procedure for Driving on County Business.  The policy can be found at:  http://apps.co.marion.or.us/APAP/.
• If personal vehicle is used, must possess and maintain proof of personal automobile liability insurance, at a minimum, in the amount required by Oregon Law [ORS Chapter 806].
• The finalist for this position will be required to pass a criminal history background check; however, conviction of a crime may not necessarily disqualify an individual for this position.
• This position may be subject to the following:  Must not be excluded from participation in the federal health care programs (Medicaid, Medicare and other federally funded programs that provide health benefits); AND must not be excluded from participating in federal procurement (Federal Acquisition Regulation) and non-procurement activities (Executive Order No. 12549).
• This is a safety sensitive/special needs position. Final candidates selected for this position will be required to pass a pre-employment drug screen, including testing for marijuana. The Marion County Drug and Alcohol Use and Testing Policy can be found at: http://apps.co.marion.or.us/APAP/policy.aspx?p=policy&pid=518.
• This assignment is represented by a union.
• This is a full-time position, which is eligible for overtime.
• Typical Work Schedule:  Monday through Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, with flexibility depending upon the needs of the department and program.