Summary: The Disease Research & Intervention Specialist (DRIS) provides client-focused HIV/STD partner services, and patient counseling for risk behaviors for acquiring/transmitting HIV, hepatitis and other STDs, and explores harm reduction methods to promote and support client sexual health. The DRIS conducts all phases of disease investigation centered on gonorrhea and syphilis including: disease surveillance, patient and partner locating and notification, linkage to testing or treatment, in-clinic interviewing and support, partner counseling and referrals, and timely documentation of investigation findings into surveillance systems.

*This position may include some or all the following duties, depending on the needs of the program.
 

• Investigating case reports of persons diagnosed with an STD in King County with an emphasis on syphilis and gonorrhea
• Interacting with providers at medical clinics, hospitals, laboratories, and correctional facilities. 
• Work on-clinic shifts weekly as scheduled to interview patients in Sexual Health Clinic for sex partners and provide counseling, education, and referrals as appropriate based on risk factors
• Support Sexual Health Clinic providers during on-clinic shifts with patient medical history including treatment information
• Interpret diagnostic testing results, inform patients of results, and link positive patients to treatment
• Notify patients diagnosed with STDs and conduct interviews with the goal of eliciting partner names and locating information
• Notify exposed partners to arrange for examination, testing, and/or treatment. 
• Conduct HIV pre- and post-testing and counseling
• Perform venipuncture collect STD specimens. 
• Provide patients with information about potential health risks related to STDs/HIV and assist in developing a client-centered plan to reduce future risk for STDs/HIV.
• Maintain detailed records regarding interactions with patients and needle-sharing/sex partners. 
• Assure confidentiality of all records, data, and information as required by section, department, state and/or federal regulation.

• Demonstrated interviewing and partner elicitation skills
• Knowledge of HIV and STD transmission modes, symptoms, and implications. 
• Experience in medical chart abstraction using electronic health records and/or other client level data repositories. 
• Demonstrated ability to provide medical information in a clear and concise manner. 
• Knowledge and demonstrated application of motivational interviewing skills. 
• Knowledge and demonstrated application of behavior change theory and risk reduction strategies. 
• Knowledge of HIV pre- and post-test guidelines and demonstrated education/counseling skills. 
• Understanding of public health systems and goals.
• Experience with data entry. 
• Demonstrated ability to protect PHI and other confidential information. 
• Demonstrated ability to follow procedures/protocols and apply them to unpredictable situations. 
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and connect with people of diverse backgrounds and socioeconomic statuses.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to function with minimal direct supervision. 
• Team player with a willingness to be flexible to meet the needs for DRIS on-clinic.
• Phlebotomy experience or willingness to be trained.
• Possess a valid WA State driver's license or ability to obtain one within 90 days of hire. 
• Must be available to work during Sexual Health Clinic hours (Monday-Friday, 7:30am-6:00pm). Hours are subject to change based on the needs of the community and HIV/STD Program. 

• Bilingual Spanish

Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers. 

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play. 

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement 
 
King County Executive Branch employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.  If you are the successful candidate for the position you applied for, the County will send you a conditional offer letter. 
 
As a condition of employment, prior to a final offer of employment, you will be required to:

• submit proof of vaccination or
• have an approved request for medical or religious exemption and an approved accommodation.  Philosophical, political, scientific, or sociological objections to vaccination will not be considered for an exemption or accommodation.

• An electronic application through www.kingcounty.gov/jobs or www.governmentjobs.com (use the "Apply" link) including work history and position duties.
• Responses to supplemental questions. Must be detailed, complete, and thorough

• The selection process may include but is not limited to: evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, and testing. For more information on our selection process, please refer to www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/jobs/hiring.
• Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions.
• Staff may be required to play an active role in the event of a public health emergency, which may include changes in responsibilities, work location, and working hours.

• The selected candidate will be required to submit to a thorough background investigation.
• Active CPR/BLS certification. Heartsaver cards do meet this requirement. 
• Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.
• Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing required training on time.

The home base for this position is the Sexual Health Clinic located at Harborview Medical Center, 908 Jefferson St. Seattle WA 98104.