4A08
PAY RANGE: EP14
(General)
(Bilingual)
GENERAL DEFINITION
This is public health disease surveillance and control work at the entry level. Employees in this class assist in the investigation and review of case information concerning infectious diseases, eliciting and compiling epidemiological information, and locating infected individuals and their contacts to inform them of the nature of their disease and recommended treatment. Work assignments expand in complexity and scope as the employee gains experience. Participating with higher-level investigators when conducting investigations and reviewing case information, and contact with public and private healthcare providers, registries, and laboratories, are significant aspects of the work. Work is often performed in the field and working conditions may involve some disagreeable aspects. Assignments are performed under the close supervision of a surveillance program supervisor.
ALLOCATING FACTORS: (The following conditions must be met for a position to be allocated to this class.)
1. The employee must perform public health disease surveillance and control work at the entry level.
2. The employee must participate with higher level investigators to review case information and conduct investigations.
3. The position 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)
ALL SPECIALTIES
Learns the U.S. Public Health Service Standards for disease surveillance and infectious disease control; learns interviewing and motivating principles and techniques related to the area of disease control; learns the techniques of infectious disease control field investigations; learns the applicable medical aspects in the area of specialization; learns statistical methods and techniques used in descriptive epidemiology.
Observes higher level employees performing various phases of surveillance work.
Performs related work as required.
HIV Diseases Assignment
Receives instruction in performing a variety of field and office activities which will enable the employee to conduct surveillance activities to identify cases of HIV diseases and related syndromes; receives on‑the‑job training in accepted disease surveillance methods and techniques to implement and maintain reporting and feedback mechanisms for HIV diseases and related syndromes; conducts site visits of health care facilities; performs epidemiologic case investigations by interviewing patients to determine case history and source of infection; prepares epidemiologic information for inclusion in reports; reviews statistics for accuracy; consults with immediate supervisor regarding program policies, services and procedures; observes higher level employees engaged in performing various phases of surveillance work; attends forums, lectures and educational programs on services for HIV diseases and related syndromes administered by the AIDS Activity Coordinating Office.
Infectious Diseases Assignment
Receives instruction in conducting investigations of persons suspected of having or known to have communicable diseases such as tuberculosis, enteric infections, pertussis, lyme disease, measles (rubeola), meningitis (all types), rabies, tetanus, and others; learns interview techniques for collecting sensitive health information; searches files of public agencies in an attempt to locate persons; learns to educate clients and other concerned parties about the causes, symptoms, effects, and treatments of the communicable disease.
Receives on‑the‑job training in administering and interpreting skin tuberculin tests; delivers kits to obtain sputum samples, rectal swabs and fecal specimens; supports the TB Control Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) program by delivering and observing patient-administration of prescribed medications; participates in periodic immunization programs and audits for communicable disease control.
Contacts private physicians and laboratories to explain the objectives and functions of public health disease control; solicits their cooperation in furnishing the names and address of persons identified by medical personnel as having communicable diseases.
Performs related work as required.
BILINGUAL SPECIALTY
Performs the duties above in the HIV Diseases Assignment or the Infectious Diseases Assignment with members of a designated non‑English language speaking community.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
KNOWLEDGE OF:
• general public health practices and procedures
• investigative and interviewing techniques and procedures
• applicable public health regulations and provisions of the state health and safety code
ABILITY TO:
• learn U.S. Public Health Service Standards for disease surveillance and infectious disease control
• learn the methods and techniques of disease control field investigation
• learn interviewing and motivating principles and techniques as they relate to disease control investigation
• learn the techniques of infectious and communicable disease control field investigation
• learn the applicable medical aspects of AIDS and AIDS related syndromes in the AIDS assignment
• learn the applicable medical aspects of communicable diseases in the Infectious Disease assignment
• learn the methods and techniques involved in administering vaccines and tuberculin skin tests in the Infectious Disease assignment
• learn statistical methods and techniques used in descriptive epidemiology
• compile and analyze data to identify 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
• 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, governmental agencies physicians and nurses, health care providers, representatives of government agencies, associates, and the 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 which has included reviewing and compiling communicable disease case information,
OR
One year of experience performing community health education or outreach, which has included conducting field investigations or interviews.
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 meets all requirements.
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.
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.
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 if required by area of assignment.
Class Established: CSC ‑ 5/85, Ad. Board ‑ 6/85
Spec. Revision: CSC ‑ 7/92, Ad. Board 8/92
Latest Spec Revision: CSC- 8/15, Ad Board- 8/15
CW