Hepatitis Case Ascertainment Surveillance Work lead-HP IV (00907)

The Work Unit:

The Office of STI/HIV/Viral Hepatitis (VH) is committed to high-quality services, innovative public health practice and community partnerships. We work to ensure quality and medically accurate STI/HIV/VH-related prevention, care, and treatment services for all people in Colorado. Functions include public health surveillance of STI/HIV/VH;  follow-up of people newly diagnosed with an STI/HIV/VH to ensure adequate treatment and referrals to care; access to care, partners services, and treatment as appropriate; developing comprehensive prevention programs; and conducting program evaluation to enhance the use of STI/HIV/VH data to direct prevention and care activities. The Syndemic Program recognizes HIV, STIs, viral hepatitis, substance use, and other health conditions affect similar populations and each of these health concerns directly affects the others. This program aims to implement integration and collaboration of HIV, STI, viral hepatitis, harm reduction, and substance use activities and services whenever possible as it relates to state and federal funding, policies, protocols, grant requirements, and best practices. Staffing consists of Viral Hepatitis, Drug User Health, and Biomedical Prevention staff who promote STI/HIV/VH prevention and care in related systems, and serve as a bridge to liaise, connect, and integrate existing programs within the Office of STI/HIV/VH and Department, as well as identify “outside-the-box” opportunities for collaboration and integration to enhance disease response and programmatic planning activities. This team works closely with other units in the division to provide technical assistance and support around the surveillance and prevention of hepatitis B and C, referrals to pre- and post-exposure to HIV prophylaxis, and syringe service programs. The team frequently interacts with various external medical providers, community-based organizations, and other service agencies that assist in the clinical care or other direct service provision of those living with and vulnerable to the acquisition of STI/HIV/VH. The Office of STI/HIV/VH is committed to disrupting inequities and operates on the belief that all people across the state should have equitable opportunities to live healthy lives. 

What you will be doing

The position exists to provide surveillance of acute and chronic hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and hepatitis D and provide referral services for persons currently identified to be living with this/these health condition(s), conduct phone and field interviews to obtain medical and epidemiologic information, and educate individuals about acute and chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C, screen household contacts, refer patients into clinics for vaccination and linkage to care services, collect data on patient's vaccination status, compile data, providing consultation and technical assistance to all who inquire. This person is under the supervision of the Viral Hepatitis Supervisor. This position requires a higher level of decision making and is routinely tasked with determining case diagnosis from complex medical information by interpreting multiple data sources and reports; using knowledge and technical expertise to manage data; maintain and update knowledge and experience with multiple databases and systems to manage programmatic data, and make recommendations to improve efficiency and productiveness of surveillance methods, while maintaining quality control and integrity of information and data. The position coordinates the daily tasks of the viral hepatitis surveillance team, implements improvements to work processes, provides training to team members, coordinates communication with other teams and divisions, and assists with planning and coordination of community hepatitis prevention programming and community engagement. This position provides technical assistance regarding laboratory surveillance procedures and complete reporting guidelines to internal and external staff and reporting facilities in accordance with state statutes and rules.    

Job Duties:

• Investigates and evaluates acute and chronic hepatitis B and C cases. 
• Develops an appropriate course of action for each case. 
• Determines investigative priorities by: evaluating the need for investigation based on assessments of medical history, laboratory testing, demographic information, epidemiologic evaluation, and other relevant information collected. 
• Recognizes a public health problem. 
• Collaborates with others inside and outside the agency to identify the problem, especially the Colorado Department of Corrections and other federal/local/county correctional agencies.
• Identifies surveillance needs. 
• Supports the implementation of new or revision of existing surveillance systems and report key surveillance   findings.  
• Supports evaluation of surveillance systems. 
• Protects the confidentiality, including HIPAA and applicable state and local privacy laws. 
• Determines potential biosocial mechanisms of disease
• Identifies the role of laboratory resources in   epidemiologic activities.
• Prioritizes workload of cases to provide immediate attention to suspected acute cases. 
• Ascertains more intensive and complicated hepatitis B and hepatitis C cases, like acute and perinatal cases. 

• Assigns work tasks, monitors workflow and progress to verify quality and quantity of services and products meets standards, timeliness, and contributes to accomplishing the unit’s work plan objectives.
• Implements methods, procedures, and processes to improve workflow and productivity.  
• Monitors work progress, provides feedback and coaching to staff on work and projects.   
• Provides guidance to staff assignments and projects, monitor status of project progress. 
• Establishes work task schedules.   
• Identifies training needs to communicate to the supervisor and provide training as needed.
• Assists with planning and coordination of hepatitis prevention and surveillance programming and community   engagement.

• Responsible for importing hepatitis C/hepatitis B/hepatitis D labs from all sources including: the electronic lab reporting system, faxes, phone, and mail-in reports. Importing includes duplicate checking in Epitrax and adding labs to existing events or creating new events within EpiTrax.  
• Closes event and creates a new event that is classified as reinfection.  
• Correctly assigns case status to hepatitis C, hepatitis B and hepatitis D events added to EpiTrax.  Reviews reported hepatitis C, hepatitis B, and hepatitis D cases for data completeness. 
• Maintains the confidentiality of all records, data and information as required by the Office, Department, Colorado Revised Statutes, and Board of Health Rules. 

• Interviews and educates patients, initiates contacts and follows up on contacts. 
• Gathers and records medical information from physicians, medical records, Infection Preventionists on individuals with acute and chronic hepatitis B, hepatitis C and hepatitis D. Locates patients, conducts exposure/risk interviews, and educates patients about hepatitis B, hepatitis C  and hepatitis D prevention and disease.
• Identifies contacts, motivates contacts to be screened for hepatitis B and C, as well as be vaccinated for hepatitis A and B.  
• Refers patients to local health departments for vaccination, determines if the contacts have received vaccination doses, and reminds patients when they need to receive vaccine doses.
• Links individuals with acute hepatitis C and high-priority chronic hepatitis C to medical care to receive hepatitis C care and treatment services from a medical provider, determines if the individuals have received hepatitis C treatment, and follows up with patients and providers to determine if hepatitis C is cleared/cured.
• Prepares surveillance case reports, including medical and epidemiologic data for public health disease investigation purposes.
• Consults with colleagues about cases. Investigates more intensive and complicated hepatitis B and hepatitis C cases, like acute and perinatal cases, with minimal supervisory oversight.  
• Prioritizes workload of cases to provide immediate attention to confirmed acute cases.

• Updates existing events in EpiTrax with risk and exposure data obtained from patient interviews and medical records review.  
• Recommends improvements and possible problems with the database software and communicating updates and potential changes to the Disease Control and Public Health Response (DCPHR) Integrated Disease Reporting Program (IDRP) as well as other case ascertainment colleagues, supervisor, and leadership.   
• Consults with colleagues about cases. 
• Consults with leadership about improvements to the system of tracking cases.  Investigating use of other databases for case management. 
• Runs data queries to ensure cases are not missed and/or incomplete.  
• Performs training to Infection Preventionists who submit cases to CDPHE on how to provide lab information ensuring proper follow-up and investigation.
• Updates any identified missing and/or incomplete fields in EpiTrax from internal data queries to ensure data completeness.   
• Recommends improvements and possible problems with the surveillance database and systems.    
• The position collaborates with other surveillance programs and state agencies with information sharing. 

• Attends meetings, serves on task forces or teams, completes projects, and performs other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

An applicant may meet the minimum qualifications for this job in one of two ways: They may qualify through their work experience alone or through a combination of education and work experience.

Seven (7) years of relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position 

OR

A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position equal to seven (7) years

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

In addition to the minimum requirements, the successful candidate in this position will have the following experience: 

• Relevant years of State service contribute to a candidates position-related knowledge, skill, ability, behavior or other posted competency should be considered as a preferred qualification and given weight under the process.

• Proficiency in fundamental computer skills such as navigating operating systems, using basic software applications, and communicating through email is required

• Experience and proficiency in word processing and able to use current communication technology.

• Experience with viral hepatitis surveillance and case investigation.

• Experience utilizing Epitrax.

• Ability to analyze and interpret clinical evidence and observe, record, and interpret information.

• Thoroughness when performing work and conscientiousness in attention to detail.

• Ability to gather relevant information; identify and analyze problems using sound reasoning to arrive at conclusions.

• Model high standards of honesty, integrity, trust, openness and respect for individuals.

• Ability to analyze the information and reach logical well supported conclusions.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• A pre-employment background check will be conducted as part of the selection process.

• TRAVEL: Must be available in the event of an emergency, (e.g., bio-terrorist attack, chemical attack, disease outbreak or all hazards) and be required to report to work immediately at the regular or alternate location. During this time, travel restrictions may be in place. 

• CRITCAL STATUS: This is a critical position and can be expected to work and/or remain at their worksite in delayed start, early release, or closure situations.

Appeal Rights: (Updated)

An applicant who has been removed from an employment list or removed from consideration during the selection process may request a review by the State Personnel Director.

As an applicant directly affected by the results of the selection or comparative analysis process, you may file a written appeal with the State Personnel Director.

Review of the completed, signed and submitted appeal will be timely on the basis of written material submitted by you, using the official appeal form signed by you or your representative. This form must be completed and delivered to the State Personnel Board by email at dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the Department’s action.

A complete application packet must include:

• Completed State of Colorado application.

• Answered supplemental questions.

• If using education to qualify for this position a copy of your transcripts (unofficial acceptable) or diploma must be provided with application. (if either are unavailable please email the department contact for this posting, listed above)

• If using work experience to qualify for this position, please provide an adequate description in the work experience section of the application. Do not write "see resume".

• If you are a veteran, a copy of your DD214 attached to your colorado.gov/jobs application.

The Selection Process:

1. All applications that are received by the closing of this announcement will be reviewed against the Minimum Qualifications in this announcement. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications proceed to the next step.

2. Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted based on merit and fitness through a comparative analysis process.

   • Part of, or all of, the comparative analysis for this position may be a structured application review, which involves a review of the information you submit in your application materials by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) against the preferred qualifications.

3. A top group, up to six candidates, will be invited to schedule an interview with the hiring manager.

E-Verify:  CDPHE uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.

ADAAA Accommodations:

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator at cdphe.humanresources@state.co.us or call 303-692-2060, option 5.