Employment Type : Full-Time
Department: Health Department
Pay: $19.64 per hour
Work Schedule: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday (Evening and weekened work may occur)
The Disease Investigator COVID-19 is a grant-funded position at the Sedgwick County Health Department (SCHD). This position is responsible for the investigation and monitoring of notifiable diseases and conditions related to COVID-19 to control the spread of disease and protect the public from health threats. The Disease Investigator will perform public health disease surveillance work concerning the detection and control of notifiable diseases, including COVID-19. The Disease Investigator communicates with medical providers, interviews clients with notifiable diseases, performs contact tracing, performs basic analysis, and writes routine reports independently using procedures and protocols. The Disease Investigator may also be responsible for periodic data cleaning as well as general trend analyses of COVID-19 and related data.
Conduct disease investigations, including COVID-19
Perform timely investigations of individual reports of disease. This includes making phone calls and visiting homes and businesses
Investigate possible disease sources by interviewing patients and contacts, and reviewing associated information in order to locate the source, and all related cases
Perform contact tracing
Accurately and thoroughly complete notifiable disease investigations
Accurately record documentation of disease investigation work
Work with partners to monitor and protect the health of the community
Work with health partners to improve disease reporting
Work with internal SCHD staff during a public health emergency
Provide recommendations regarding the control of outbreaks based state and federal guidelines
Drive to various locations for investigations
Collect and analyze data and report on disease surveillance activities
Collect and analyze data and prepare reports on investigative activities and findings with support from and review by supervisor
Assist with developing communication messages for the public based on data analysis
Report activities to SCHD or KDHE as required or requested
Present communicable disease education and presentations to local health partners.
Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree from accredited college or university in public health, a health-related field, public or business administration, or other related fields. Strong communication, interpersonal, problem-solving and computer skills are required. One semester coursework in data analytics or epidemiology. Per Sedgwick County policy, this is a driving level position that requires a valid Kansas driver’s license without restrictions and current proof of automobile insurance. In order to comply with the requirements of the federal health care staff COVID-19 vaccination mandate, all employees of COMCARE and the Health Department must be fully vaccinated. All offers of employment are contingent upon submission of vaccination documentation prior to start date.
Preferred Qualifications: Master of Public Health with a concentration in Epidemiology or at least nine semester hours of graduate coursework in epidemiological and statistical methods from an accredited college or university. One year of work experience in a public health department or healthcare setting. One year of work experience in infectious diseases or performing disease investigations. One year of work experience with data entry and data management.
It is the policy of Sedgwick County not to discriminate in its programs or services provided to the general public, including employment and all other activities, on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, age, disability, veteran status or any other similarly protected status. Sedgwick County is committed to making the application, interview, and pre-employment testing process accessible to persons with disabilities. If you wish to volunteer information regarding any special assistance you may need, please notify Human Resources by phone at (316) 660-7050, TDD (Kansas Relay at 711 or 800-766-3777). Do not use this phone number for employment questions. This number is provided only for those requiring ADA assistance. You will be contacted should the department feel that you are a qualified candidate.