Valley Fever Interviewer (English) (R&D)

SUMMARY

Under the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) cooperative agreement, Heluna Health and Infectious Diseases Branch (IDB) of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) are recruiting for an Interviewer to be part of the Mycotic Diseases team which conducts surveillance, outreach, outbreak investigations, and enhanced investigations of fungal diseases in California.

The position's major role would be to help conduct patient interviews in English as part a novel enhanced surveillance project to better describe cases of Valley fever (coccidioidomycosis), a respiratory fungal disease endemic in California which has been increasing dramatically in recent years. Although routine Valley fever surveillance does occur in California, limited data is available on cases. This project would be the first time CDPH is able to collect demographic, clinical, exposure, and outcome data on cases and more fully describe how Valley fever impacts Californians.

This position's major responsibilities would be to conduct patient interviews; collect and manage project data; and assist with development of project protocols and data collection tools.

If hired for this position, applicant will be required to provide proof of full vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to the start date; or have a valid religious or medical reason qualifying the applicant for an exemption (that may or may not require accommodation).  The applicant will need to have the qualifying exemption.

This position is grant funded through 7/31/2023 but may be extended if funding is available.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Conduct interviews with Valley fever patients
• Enter data and manage and maintain project databases
• Develop, edit, and maintain project protocols and data collection tools
• Attend team meetings regarding Valley fever enhanced surveillance project
   

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Assist with other infectious disease-related projects as time and interest allows

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with public health partners and patients
• Fluency in spoken English required
• Ability to provide health education and communicate basic infectious disease information to Valley fever patients and members of the public
• Ability to perform data entry, data cleaning, and data quality assessment with attention to detail
• Ability to complete assignments in a timely and efficient manner
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks, and work independently
• Demonstrated reliability and integrity  

Education/Experience

• Completion of at least one undergraduate or graduate level course in public health, biostatistics, or epidemiology, preferred
• Experience conducting interviews with or working with patients or research participants, preferred
• Experience writing guidelines, standard operating procedures, or training materials, preferred
• Experience with epidemiology and data analysis, preferred 

Certificates/Licenses/Clearances

• N/A 

Other Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Experience with Microsoft products including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Access; strong knowledge of Word and Excel, preferred
• Experience with Adobe products including Acrobat; strong knowledge of Acrobat, preferred
• Experience working with interview/survey software, such as REDCap, SurveyMonkey, Survey123, Qualtrics, or Microsoft Forms, preferred
• Experience working with protected health information and maintaining patient confidentiality, preferred

 PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

• Stand:                                        Frequently
• Walk:                                         Frequently
• Sit:                                             Frequently
• Handling / Fingering:               Occasionally
• Reach Outward:                        Occasionally
• Reach Above Shoulder:            Occasionally
• Climb, Crawl, Kneel, Bend:       Occasionally
• Lift / Carry:                               Occasionally - Up to 50 lbs
• Push/Pull:                                 Occasionally - Up to 50 lbs
• See:                                          Constantly
• Taste/ Smell:                            Not Applicable

KEY

• Not Applicable                       Not required for essential functions
• Occasionally                           (0 - 2 hrs/day)
• Frequently                              (2 - 5 hrs/day)
• Constantly                              (5+ hrs/day)

 WORK ENVIRONMENT

General Office Setting, Indoors Temperature Controlled

EEOC STATEMENT

It is the policy of Heluna Health to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Heluna Health is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer that encourages minorities, women, veterans, and disabled to apply.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

See job description