Acute Communicable Disease Program Assistant

DEPARTMENT: City of Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH)

DIVISION: Division of Disease Control (DDC)

PROGRAM: Acute Communicable Disease (ACD) Program

ROLE TYPE: Full-Time

JOB OVERVIEW:

The Acute Communicable Disease (ACD) Program Assistant position is a contract position that offers a great opportunity to gain experience in routine infectious disease surveillance activities at a major urban health department. The position is within the ACD Program of the Division of Disease Control (DDC) at the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH). The ACD Program is responsible for the surveillance, investigation, prevention, and control of all reportable acute communicable diseases, except tuberculosis, sexually transmitted diseases, and multidrug-resistant organisms. The position requires working on a multidisciplinary team with disease surveillance investigators, nurses, physicians, epidemiologists, and laboratory technicians.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

This is a grant-funded position for at least one year and may require after-hours availability. The person filling this position will participate in data management activities, coordinate testing, including courier services, and execute educational outreach efforts. The Program Assistant will also support ACD with routine disease investigations and outbreak response. The position duties require on-site work (not virtual) and regular driving in Philadelphia (2 or more days per week). Anticipated duties are described below:

• Support data management activities for communicable disease surveillance, including processing and distributing electronic faxes to the investigation team, reviewing reports received electronically for completeness, entering new reports and laboratory results into the ACD web-based database (CDMS), and executing data quality assessments prior to the submission of datasets for nationally notifiable disease surveillance.


• Coordinate submission of specimens and supporting documentation for testing at public health laboratories.


• Transport clinical specimens from hospitals and healthcare providers’ offices to the PDPH Public Health Laboratory or DDC office for shipment to public health laboratories.


• Package specimens for shipment to CDC and other public health laboratories.


• Notify providers of results for testing conducted at public health laboratories when needed (e.g., outbreak response, emerging infections).


• Schedule presentations and other educational activities with healthcare and community partners.


• Schedule and assist with the organization and documentation of internal meetings and trainings.


• Maintain and monitor ACD’s inventory of testing, mitigation, and outreach supplies, including storage location, expiration tracking, and placing additional purchase requests per DDC and PDPH specifications.


• Coordinate the distribution of testing, mitigation, outreach, and medical countermeasure supplies in collaboration with other ACD or DDC staff.


• Organize and conduct data intake support for vaccination, chemoprophylaxis, and testing clinics in the community.


• Assemble materials for response clinics, outreach events, and mailings.


• Conduct investigation interviews by telephone, in-person visit, or medical record review when needed.


• Participate in emergency preparedness exercises along with training for potential surge support staff.


• Participate in debriefings and contribute to the development of after-action reports.


• Support other communicable disease surveillance and response activities as needed.

SKILLS:

• Attention to detail and excellent organizational skills


• Computer skills are necessary and should include familiarity with Word, Excel, and REDCap, or at least the ability to learn these software programs.


• Strong communication skills and ability to interact appropriately and effectively with a wide range of people


• Experience conducting telephone-based interviews is advantageous.


• The applicant will be expected to work independently and as part of a team.


• A valid driver’s license and familiarity with driving in Philadelphia are required, as position duties include work in the community.

EXPERIENCE:

Demonstrated interest in public health and/or epidemiology and documentable experience with community engagement

EDUCATION REQUIREMENT:

Bachelor’s degree required. Concentration in public health or biologic/social science preferred.

SALARY:

The position salary range is $48,000 to $52,000. This position comes with a comprehensive benefits package consisting of medical and dental coverage, as well as paid sick, vacation, and personal time.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

At the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, we value health justice and equity. Our work is guided by a commitment to all people’s health and humanity, and we recognize the impact that health disparities have on our city’s diverse population. We are dedicated to building a staff that reflects the diversity of Philadelphia. We are an EEO employer, and we are committed to providing a diverse, inclusive, safe workplace free from discrimination, sexual harassment, intimidation, or retaliation.

Applicants who are originally from and live in the Philadelphia area are strongly encouraged to apply.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

To apply for this position, please send a cover letter and resume or CV via email to Dana Perella, MPH, Acute Communicable Disease Program Manager, [email protected]. Please name materials in the following convention: LastName_FirstName_Document (e.g., resume or cover letter). Include "ACD Program Assistant" in the subject line. Candidates selected for the final interview may also be required to submit a driver record. For questions regarding the position, please contact the Division of Disease Control at 215-685-6740.

PHMC is an Equal Opportunity and E-Verify Employer.

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