CDS / Linkage and Retention Coordinator

Description

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This position is in Augusta, GA and does not offer relocation assistance.  Must be within a reasonable commuting distance.  If relocating to the area, please specify on the application.

As a CDS / Linkage and Retention Coordinator within Richmond County Health Department,you will join a dedicated group of public health professionals that help support the overall mission and vision of protecting lives of Georgian residents in a variety of ways.


Who we are. We protect lives.The Georgia Department of Public Health is the lead agency entrusted by the people of Georgia to proudly protect lives and promote healthy lifestyles in diverse communities statewide. We are committed to preventing disease, injury, and disability; promoting health and well-being; and preparing the State of Georgia for responding to disasters. 

 What we offer.As a member of the Georgia Department of Public Health team, you will join a passionate group of individuals who are dedicated to making an impact.  No matter your role, you will individually contribute to protecting the lives of all Georgians while receiving a wide range of benefits, so you can:
 

• Make a Professional Impact – Build your career where it matters and protect lives in the community where you live, work, and play
• Enjoy Workplace Flexibility – Experience flexibility in how you work so you can be your best self for you and Georgia Residents
• Work with a Dynamic and Diverse Team– Collaborative and inclusive way of working where employees share ideas and leverage collective strengths 
• Achieve Career Longevity – Countless opportunities for continuous learning/development that support a long-term career
• Take Part in a Hands-on Working Culture – Unique culture of active engagement and problem-solving, no matter your role
• Feel Pride in Where you Work – Be part of making an impact in public health alongside dedicated people just like you

 
In addition to a competitive salary, we offer a generous benefits package that includes a flexible schedule, employee retirement plan, 13 paid holidays, 401K, vacation & sick leave, dental, vision, long term care, and life insurance.
Georgia Department of Public Health Commissioner and leaders encourages all employees to engage in regular wellness activities and to make lifestyle choices that promote health and well-being. The use of wellness breaks during the workday is authorized to support this philosophy and assist employees in meeting their wellness goals. A maximum of 30-minutes in a given workday may be used to engage in wellness activities, generally in the form of two 15-minute breaks or one 30-minute break.

 

Job Responsibilities

1. Assists in the implementation of timely disease intervention strategies to decrease the prevalence of communicable diseases
a. Performs timely disease intervention activities to include contact tracing and partner notification.
b. Refers all patients/contacts to appropriate clinics in a timely manner.
c. Initiates timely field investigations and conducts home visits when appropriate.
d. Conducts searches for medical records and initiates serologic reactors for follow-up in accordance with district guidelines.
e. Provides disease specific counseling and other appropriate patient education as required.
2. Performs investigations, data collection and analysis, and interpretation
a. Provides pre- and post-test counseling services to all public health patients receiving HIV/AIDS tests.
b. Provides all sensitive diagnostic and therapeutic services in a non-judgmental manner (i.e. sexual histories, patient lifestyle, etc.)
c. Strictly adheres to the standard of patient and medical records confidentiality and professional conduct in all cases.
3. Performs reporting and surveillance activities
a. Ensures timely and thorough reporting of all patients infected or at-risk of being infected with a communicable disease in order to implement early disease intervention techniques.
b. Coordinates communicable disease surveillance within the health district through collection and monitoring of morbidity data. Enters all data gathered into accepted surveillance systems (i.e. SendSS).
4. Prepares documentation of all communicable disease case investigations occurring within the district
a. Provides current information on CDC treatment guidelines to public and private health care provider.
Plans, develops, and conducts HIV/AIDS as well as other communicable disease-related investigations within the health district. Ensures implementation of timely disease intervention strategies to promote disease control including the interviewing of patients, contact tracing, and notifying partners of exposures. Collects, analyzes and interprets data and disease-related information and prepares epidemiologic reports for programmatic purposes. Provides limited training, technical assistance and consultative services regarding the control of diseases. The Linkage Coordinator is responsible for marketing the linkage program to
community partners, performing data collection activities, using Non-ARTAS or ARTAS intervention to link HIV-positive individuals to care and to re-engage them back in care. Performs various other duties as assigned in support of section and district operations.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in PH Education, Education, Social, Behavioral or Biological Science from an accredited college or university AND Six months of related experience OR Associate's degree from an accredited college or university AND Two years of experience in a related area OR Four years of experience in a medical related field OR licensure as a registered nurse AND One year of nursing experience OR One year of experience at the lower level Communicable Disease Spec 1 (HCP080) or position equivalent. Experience performing
work related to area of assignment. Must have experience providing HIV/AIDS case management services. Good working knowledge of best practice counseling approaches, interventions, and strategies that have been proven effective with the homeless population. Must have a working knowledge of HIV, treatment, and linkage to care services. Must be experienced with a multi-disciplinary team approach.

Additional Information

Employment Information
 
  Current State employees are subject to State Personnel Board rules regarding salary.
 
  DPH accepts educational credential recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and/or the US Department of Education (DOE) will be considered. DPH will contact educational institutions to verify degree, diploma, licensure, etc.
 
  The candidate selected for this position may be subject to pre-employment drug screening and a criminal background check.
 
  As an employee of DPH, in the event of an identified emergency you may be required, as a term and condition of employment, to assist in meeting the emergency responsibilities of the department.
 
  If you require accommodations under the American Disability Act (ADA), email request by the closing date of this announcement to: DPH-HR@dph.ga.gov.
 
  DPH is an Equal Opportunity Employer
 
  Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information on application status by phone or e-mail. All qualified applicants will be considered but may not necessarily receive an interview. Selected applicants will be contacted by the hiring agency for next steps in the selection process. Applicants who are not selected will not receive notification.
 
  This position is subject to close at any time once a satisfactory applicant pool has been identified.