Under the supervision of the Nurse IV, DON/TB (tuberculosis) Program Manager, conducts complex epidemiologic work related to the treatment, prevention, and control of TB. Duties include conducting contact investigations, gathering, and maintaining surveillance data, planning, and conducting targeted screening of high-risk populations, coordinating TB reporting from correctional facilities, and developing and distributing information on the importance of the treatment, prevention and control of TB. Cross trains to assist with public health investigations for other regional programs including HIV/STD, Epidemiology, and Zoonosis. Position actively participates in supporting the agency’s role to meet obligations for disaster response and/or recovery to include Continuity of Operations COOP) activation.

Safe operation of either a state-owned vehicle or personal vehicle is required to conduct state business and an acceptable driving record must be maintained in accordance with DSHS Policy OS-3901, Fleet Operations and Management & Procedures and standards developed by the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Compliance with DSHS Immunization Policy required: serologic evidence of immunity to, or documented evidence of vaccination against, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chickenpox), Tdap, annual vaccination against influenza (and hepatitis B if applicable).

Essential Job Functions:
Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

(45%) Conducts TB Contact Investigations
1. Conducts interviews and re-interviews of patients with TB disease, suspected TB disease, and persons infected with TB to elicit information about contacts, potential sources of infections, potential disease transmission settings and other pertinent information.
2. Utilize investigative tools to locate persons for purposes of contact investigation
3. Conduct field investigation activities in a safe and attentive manner
4. Collect information to determine TB risk and need for evaluation
5. Conduct environmental assessments to determine risk of TB transmission
6. Complete contact investigation tasks within the pre-determined timeframes and maximize the use of available and appropriate resources

(20%) Evaluation, Analysis for Strategic Planning
1. Document all investigations and interviews, and apply data collection processes as appropriate
2. Gather, maintain and report surveillance data related to contact investigations
3. Assists in analyzing, as part of a team, case and contact investigation information for purposes of developing screening plans and other intervention strategies related to the prevention and control of TB.
4. Provides information to contacts, cases and suspected cases regarding the purpose and importance of investigations and the role of public health.
5. Participates in screening clinics for high-risk populations.

(15%) Serves as the Regional TB Corrections Facility Coordinator.
1. Collects correctional facility reports of individuals tested.
2. Works with correctional facility personnel to ensure accurate and timely reporting to the region.
3. Maintains relevant documentation received from correctional facilities
4. Completes correctional surveillance reports for submission to the DSHS central office TB Program.
5. Performs training to correctional facilities regarding TB treatment, prevention and control.
6. Assists with the evaluation and investigation of correctional facility-based outbreaks.

(15%) Provides Program Support
1. Participates in TB Cohort reviews to assist in the identification of educational opportunities for public and private partners
2. Develops educational materials targeted to specific groups involved in TB identification and prevention (physicians, school nurses, public and private healthcare providers, etc.)
3. Supports nursing staff with TB clinics.
4. Files and maintains medical records and charts
5. Assists with other Communicable Disease programs including HIV/STD, Immunizations, Zoonosis when necessary.
6. Conducts public health investigations for HIV/STD, Epidemiology, Zoonosis and other Public Health Region 1
programs as needed.
7. Cross trains with program areas to be able to provide assistance with investigations
8. Assist with investigations as assigned
9. Follows the protocols and policies of each program when providing assistance


(5%) Perform other duties as assigned to include but not limited to Activity participating and or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternative shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Knowledge Skills Abilities:
Knowledge of:
General communicable disease control and related public health programs
Modes of transmission, diagnosis, treatment, and control procedures for communicable diseases
Organization and functions of government and public health
Effective communication techniques
Public health laws pertaining to the reporting and control of communicable diseases.

Skill in:
Communicating verbally and in writing in English.
Using computer software, such as Windows, Outlook, Microsoft Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint, WordPerfect, e-mail

Ability to:
Prepare and maintain confidential records and reports
Maintain patient confidentiality during investigations
Conduct interviews of a highly personal nature
Exercise initiative and tact in tracing contacts and arranging for follow-up medical examination and treatment
Gain confidence and establish rapport with difficult to reach individuals and people of varied cultures, races/ethnicities, languages, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, migration status, and abilities
Critically analyze public health disease control process
Work as a member of a team
Establish and maintain effective, ethical, and cooperative relationships with medical and laboratory personnel, public officials, and community groups
Creatively solve problems in the field and in-house settings
Prepare and make educational presentations to varied groups
Work with diverse populations

Registration or Licensure Requirements:
Must possess a valid class C Texas driver’s license, or equivalent license from another state.

Initial Selection Criteria:
Experience in communicable disease control and related public health programs (preferred)
Experience in interviewing diverse populations to elicit information (preferred)
Experience in effective communication, both verbally and in writing (Required)
Experience in data entry (preferred)
Experience working independently (preferred)
Experience analyzing health records and protected health information (Required)
Experience using computer software (preferred)
Experience working with public (preferred)
Experience maintaining confidential records (preferred)
Experience conducting blood draws (preferred)
Experience providing directly observed medication therapy (preferred)

Additional Information:

MOS Code:
Note: Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include: 68S, 60C, 230X. For more information see the Texas State Auditor’s Military Crosswalk at http://www.hr.sao.state.tx.us/Compensation/JobDescriptions.aspx.

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