AIDS COUNSELOR I 2720

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

Under general supervision, an employee in this class is responsible for conducting investigations, making recommendations for the prevention and control of communicable diseases, and providing referral services and guidance to infected patients and those at risk of infection. Communicable diseases include, but are not limited to, HIV, sexually transmitted infections, and other communicable diseases. The work includes interviewing patients diagnosed with communicable diseases, as well as close contacts who are at risk for infection, their families, and other identified contacts. In compliance with Public Health Law, field investigations are made to locate individuals who have been diagnosed with communicable diseases, as well as close contacts who are at risk for infection. The incumbent exercises considerable initiative and professional judgment in conducting interviews and health risk assessments. Supervision is received from professional medical staff members through conferences and written reports. Does related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES

Interviews individuals diagnosed with communicable diseases to advise of the need for medical treatment, connect them to care, and elicit contacts;

Conducts field investigations to locate patient's identified contacts, and to ensure that appropriate medical follow-up has been undertaken;

Provides pre and post-test counseling to individuals assessed as being at risk for HIV infection and provides referrals for appropriate testing;

Interviews individuals with positive HIV tests for the purpose of providing patient requested services related to the partner notification assistance program as per current Public Health Law;

Interprets and complies with Public Health Law relating to the control of communicable diseases;

Provides current information to the medical community and conducts educational presentations as necessary;

Maintains case records and statistics, and prepares reports;

Attends seminars and educational conferences related to communicable diseases;

Ensures confidentiality of all protected individuals and all information

acquired during investigations and interviews.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

Good knowledge of the operations and policies of the County's public health communicable disease programs; good knowledge of investigation techniques which may involve confidential matters; good knowledge of the principles and techniques of effective interviewing; good knowledge of current literature and sources of information regarding communicable disease; good knowledge of pertinent laws, rules and regulations; ability to prepare clear and comprehensive case work records and statistical reports; ability to analyze information and to reach sound decisions based on that information; ability to express oneself clearly and concisely both orally and in writing; physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

OPEN COMPETITIVE:

Either:

(a) Graduation from a college with federally-authorized accreditation or registration by NY State with a Bachelor's Degree, including or supplemented by 30 credits in psychology, social work, nursing or other health related field, or;

(b) Graduation from a college with federally-authorized accreditation or registration by NY State with a Bachelor’s Degree and one (1) year of experience as a counselor, educator or provider of medical services in an organized, preventive medicine program dealing with AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases or other communicable diseases, including case investigations and contact tracing.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT

a) Within the first six months of employment, the employee may be required to become certified by New York State as an HIV pre and post-test counselor.

b) At the time of appointment and during employment in this title, employees must possess a valid license to operate a motor vehicle in New York State.

R02/15/2024

SUFFOLK COUNTY

Competitive