Communicable Disease Technician

QUALIFICATIONS
*Grade 12 education (MB Standards) required.
*Recognized post-secondary certificate or diploma in a health services or social sciences field required.
*Post-secondary education, including degree specific to population and public health preferred.
*Minimum two years working with diverse populations from a community-based perspective that supports individuals, families, groups and communities across the lifespan.
*Other combinations of suitable education and experience may be considered
*Knowledge of population health and health equity an asset.
*Knowledge of communicable disease management and harm reduction and asset.
*Knowledge of and experience working with diverse populations required.
*Province of Manitoba Class 5 Drivers Licence, or equivalent from province of residence, and access to a personal vehicle required.
*Proficiency with Microsoft programs (Outlook, Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint), as well as Internet applications and other Information Technology.
*Demonstrated organizational skills, and the ability to work independently
*Demonstrated problem solving and decision making skills
*Demonstrated flexibility to facilitate changes in techniques and procedures in a changing environment
*Demonstrated knowledge and competence of skills and concepts related to the position
*Demonstrated communication skills
*Ability to respect and promote confidentiality
*Ability to perform the duties of the position on a regular basis
*Ability to respect and promote a culturally diverse population
*Ability to work effectively and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, clients and within interdisciplinary team

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Communicable Disease Technician works under the direction of regional public health teams (Public Health Nurses, Public Health Nurse Communicable Disease and/or Immunization Coordinators, Medical Officers of Health, Managers) to support public health communicable disease prevention and control.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Overview:

Communicable disease prevention

Prevention reduces the occurrence of disease and its consequences in a variety of settings.

1. Supports case and contact management, maintaining accurate health records and data entry.
2. Provides current health information to clients.
3. Provides clients with direct access to a variety of resources.
4. Refers clients to appropriate services using the type of support that will make the referral successful.
5. Outreach work to support engagement of hard to reach clients.
6. Supports outbreak response efforts (e.g. supporting community partners to implement existing processes/tools, supporting public health rapid response for highly-vulnerable settings).
7. Supports vaccination efforts through assessment, education, advocacy, collaboration and outbreak response action.
8. Harm reduction activites such as supply distribution as appropriate.
9. Surveillance related activities such as data collection and entry.

Community engagement

Community engagement strengthens the connections and relationships between individuals and with organizations that will result in an increased capacity within communities to work towards common goals. The focus of the Communicable Disease Technician is on intersectoral collaboration, locality development and organizational development.

1. Provides support through outreach to agencies/services (e.g., daycares, schools, workplaces, community organizations, etc).
2. Develops effective relationships with agencies and the public toward promotion of communicable disease prevention and harm reduction.
3. Encourages clients to share knowledge to promote health.
4. Collaborates with stakeholders to support the health of populations at risk.
5. Contributes to a healthy and responsive workplace and organization.

Communication - liaison, partnerships

Communication is an essential skill in the development of respectful relationships. Effective communication techniques contribute to a strong professional team as well as multidisciplinary, intersectoral and intrasectoral partnerships.

1. Makes contact with priority populations through a variety of methods (phone, outreach, creative engagement).
2. Respond to requests for information. Communication of health information and education as required for individuals, families and groups.
3. Develops trust and a positive rapport with clients by being supportive and non-judgmental.
4. Establishes professional supportive relationships which assists clients to identify options and make choices that best meet their health needs.
5. Advocates on behalf of clients when and where appropriate.
6. Establishes and maintains respectful, productive relationships, with people in and outside of the organization including team members, other service providers and those who are vulnerable and socially excluded.
7. Fosters team building and mutual respect in all interactions.
8. Promotes cultural safety and respect for diversity (e.g., economic and social status, ethnicity, culture, belief systems, sexuality, education).
9. Maximizes collaborative decision-making with clients, colleagues, and other professionals to provide integrated care and appropriate services.
10. Effectively uses a variety of communication strategies such as written, verbal, non-verbal and electronic.

Professional responsibility and accountability

Communicable Disease Technicians are accountable for their professional competence, the quality of their work and utilizing knowledge that is evidence-based and current.

1. Recognizes personal attitudes, beliefs, feelings and values about health; identifying the effects of personal values and assumptions in interactions with clients.
2. Systematically seeks professional development experiences that are consistent with current practice, new and emerging issues and changing needs of the population.
3. Takes preventive, as well as corrective action individually or in partnership with others to protect clients from unsafe, incompetent, or unethical circumstances.
4. Adheres to relevant legislation (e.g., Child and Family Services Act, Personal Health Information Act).
5. Participates in quality assurance.

Administrative responsibility and accountability

Administrative responsibility and accountability promotes effective and efficient organizational operation and data collection. Communicable Disease Technicians are responsible to complete relevant functions and are accountable to the organization, the team and their clients to provide service in the most effective and efficient manner.

1. Effectively manages and prioritizes work.
2. Completes documentation, accurate statistical data, and reports in a timely manner.
3. Incorporates appropriate quality assurance processes.
4. Completes relevant administrative functions and documentation (e.g., vacation requests, mileage, complaints process, occurrence reports).
5. Actively participates in relevant meetings and committees (e.g., program, community, provincial).
6. Other duties as assigned.