The COVID-19 Case and Contact Investigator is responsible for performing the initial interview of persons with confirmed COVID-19 infection, probable and suspect cases and/or their contacts to gather information necessary for public health case investigation and contact tracing efforts within a specific Local Health District in the Commonwealth of Virginia. This position will involve case investigation, contact tracing, or both. The CCI position is designated as a full-time, temporary, non-exempt position.

The Institute for Public Health Innovation (IPHI) will hire, train and deploy CCIs who will be integrated into Local Health District pandemic response teams or as part of the Virginia Department of Health’s regional COVID-19 response efforts. The CCI is a technologically savvy public health professional responsible for conducting case investigations and contact tracing efforts in order to interrupt ongoing disease transmission within the assigned District. Additional responsibilities may include providing flexible assistance during surges of COVID-19 cases or contacts, staff turnover, backlog of data entry, and after hours or weekend coverage. This position is initially designated as a remote position requiring telework, though on-site work requirements could change in the future and the position may require on-site work for certain Local Health Districts. While initially CCIs will be designated to a particular Local Health District, CCIs may be asked to support other Local Health Districts that need additional support.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Interview and Data Collection

1. Initiates prompt calls to newly diagnosed cases and their contacts to gather health information and inform contacts of potential exposure. May also be asked to initiate probable and suspect case investigations.
2. Uses dynamic communication and interpersonal skills, cultural competency/sensitivity, tactful language, and empathetic interviewing skills to build rapport and maintain trust with cases and contacts of varied backgrounds if symptomatic, and enrollment in the monitoring database.
3. Maintains case and contact confidentiality and ensures that and all information is collected in concordance with state data privacy and confidentiality standards.
4. Collects and records information daily into statewide databases/monitoring systems and assures accuracy of data.

Health Education

1. Provides case and contacts with approved information about state isolation and quarantine expectations and procedures. If appropriate, refers them to testing and public health monitoring.
2. Alerts Epidemiologists if the case is associated with a congregate or other high-risk setting that requires additional public health investigation or intervention.
3. Alerts Care Resource Coordinator if the case or contacts requires additional social support or resources to safely isolate or quarantine.
4. Following established procedures and/or script, CCIs will provide the individual with resources available for further information or support as needed.

Data Entry and Maintenance

1. Utilizes established surveillance and monitoring databases or local tracking spreadsheets to identify newly diagnosed cases and contacts for tracing efforts.
2. Inputs data collected (i.e., symptoms, contacts, etc.) into the database and assures the database is kept up to date within 2 hours of the completed investigation; alerts onsite supervisor immediately if timeliness is an issue,
3. Provides data from Case or Contact Investigation efforts to local epidemiologists and/or Health Educators as necessary.

Surge Team Support

1. Is available during standard business hours, typically 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, but also has the flexibility to deploy during non-standard hours (i.e., evenings, weekends, holidays) when requested. A work schedule that includes some weekend hours may be required.
2. Participates in trainings, regular program meetings, and quality monitoring and improvement activities to ensure and enhance the quality of case investigation activities and program outcomes.

Contributes to team effort by assisting with any other duties as assigned

Maintains daily communication with onsite supervisor

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in nursing, biology, public health, epidemiology or other health field related to the duties of the position, or an equivalent combination of education, experience and training.
• Ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing with diverse audiences.
• Ability to work with a variety of computer software packages, including G Suite (e.g., Google products, including Gmail, Google Drive, Google Calendar and Google Meet) and Microsoft Office (e.g., Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)
• An understanding of case and contact confidentiality, including the ability to conduct interviews without violating confidentiality (i.e., to those who might overhear their conversations).
• Excellent and sensitive interpersonal, cultural sensitivity, and interviewing skills such that they can build and maintain trust with interviewees; ability to maintain confidentiality; judgement as to when to refer cases to other resources if needed.
• Knowledge of public health practices, communicable diseases, disease control, and epidemiologic methods.
• Ability to manage, compile, analyze, interpret and present data.
• If remote, ability to conduct investigations in a private, quiet setting with the utmost professionalism and conduct and with a secure internet connection. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master of Public Health or related field preferred.
• Understanding of medical terminology and principles of exposure, infection, infectious period, potentially infectious interactions, symptoms of disease, pre-symptomatic and asymptomatic infection.
• Bilingual candidates strongly preferred
• Basic skills of crisis counseling, and the ability to confidently refer persons for further care if needed. 

Compensation: The hourly rate for this position is $28.00 per hour, as set by the Virginia Department of Health. IPHI will offer its complete benefits package for these temporary, full-time positions.

Necessary Special Requirements: This position is designated as essential and is part of the State’s emergency response, which operates 7 days a week. This position’s activities may be required during evenings, weekends and holidays. Candidate must have adequately equipped private workspace and high-speed Internet connection to facilitate telework with technology provided by the Virginia Department of Health. Candidates will need access to a computer for their onboarding training.

About the Institute for Public Health Innovation (IPHI)

The Institute for Public Health Innovation is a regional non-profit organization that develops multi-sector partnerships and innovative solutions to improve the public’s health and well-being across Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia. IPHI’s work strengthens health systems and policy, enhances conditions that promote health, and strengthens government and community capacity to ensure equitable health opportunities for all.

The Institute for Public Health Innovation is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from individuals who would contribute to its diversity.