Public Health Investigator (#NV5 )
$25.42-$32.20 hourly / $4,406.05-$5,581.23 monthly / $52,873.60-$66,976.00 yearly
Senior Public Health Investigator (#NV7 )
$31.20-$39.48 hourly / $5,407.90-$6,843.07 monthly / $64,896.00-$82,118.40 yearly

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Definition

Under direction, to locate and interview persons, to gather information for purposes of controlling and preventing sexually transmitted and other communicable diseases, to initiate treatment procedures; and to do other work as required.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Public Health Investigator is the journey level class in the series. Incumbents in this classification perform investigations of persons suspected of being either the source or contact of known cases of venereal and other communicable diseases, gathers and reports demographic information to support CD surveillance activity; provides information to the public and performs routine patient pre/post test counseling. Senior Public Health Investigator is the advanced journey level in the series. The incumbent (s) train and may lead the work of Public Health Investigator. The incumbent coordinates the Sexually Transmitted Disease Program including initiating referral and follow up procedures and providing consultation to physicians, clinics and State regarding diagnosis, treatment, follow up. Additionally, incumbent provides the more difficult and sensitive pre/post test counseling to patients.

Typical Tasks

Obtains referrals/reports from providers;
makes investigations of persons suspected of being either the source or contact of known cases of sexually transmitted and other communicable diseases;
records content of interviews;
attempts to determine source (s) of infection; explains procedures and treatment;
initiates treatment procedures;
locates persons whose treatment is incomplete and endeavors to secure their further examination or treatment;
maintains appropriate logs;
compiles and tabulates statistics;
prepares written reports; maintains records and files;
provides information to general public, schools and organizations. Senior Public Health Investigator The above, plus:
Trains and may lead the work of the Public Health Investigator;
coordinates referrals and follow-up;
provides consultation to physicians and clinics regarding sexually transmitted diagnoses, treatment and follow-up;
performs pre/post counseling including patients with positive HIV;
develops procedures for new programs;
gathers, analyzes, reports demographic information to support CD surveillance activity.

Employment Standards

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge:

Public Health Investigator

Working knowledge of communicable diseases and the problems involved in their control;
Working knowledge of interviewing principles and techniques;
Some knowledge of communicable disease symptoms and treatment;
Some knowledge of State laws and regulations pertaining to the control of communicable diseases.

Senior Public Health Investigator:

Thorough knowledge of communicable diseases and the problems involved in their control;
Working knowledge of interviewing and counseling principles and techniques;
Working knowledge of communicable disease symptoms and treatment;
Working knowledge of State laws and regulations pertaining to the control of communicable diseases.

Ability to:

Public Health Investigator

Conduct effective interviews of a highly personal and confidential nature;
Exercise initiative and tact in tracing contacts and referring for treatment;
Analyze situations and information accurately and adopt an effective course of action;
Provide pre/post test education;
Prepare reports and maintain records;
Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with others.

Senior Public Health Investigator

Conduct effective interviews of a highly personal and confidential nature;
Exercise initiative and tact in tracing contacts and referring for treatment;
Analyze situations and information accurately and adopt an effective course of action;
Provide pre/post test counseling including positive HIV patients;
Maintain records;
Gather and analyze demographic information;
Work effectively as a member of a health team.

Training and Experience: Any combination of training and experience, which would provide the required knowledge, and experience is qualifying. A typical way to obtain these knowledge and abilities would be:

Public Health Investigator
Successful work experience dealing with the general public in an investigative or interviewing capacity as it relates to the knowledge and abilities listed above.

Senior Public Health Investigator
One year post high school course work in the behavioral sciences, health sciences or health administration and one year of experience in the control and prevention of communicable diseases as an investigator in a health agency.
OR
Three years experience equivalent to Public Health Investigator at Santa Cruz County. EST: 12/88 REV: Analyst: SA

Miscellaneous

Analyst: SA

CLASS: NV5; EST: 12/1/1988;