Epidemiology Investigator-Substance Use Related Morbidities

As the Epidemiology Investigator for Substance Use-Related Morbidities, you will support surveillance and prevention activities related to nonfatal opioid overdoses, hepatitis C, and other substance use-related health conditions. You will conduct confidential telephone interviews with clients, collect important health and risk-factor information, and provide respectful, person-centered, and nonjudgmental harm-reduction education, overdose-prevention information, and referrals to community and healthcare resources. You will also review medical and laboratory records, document investigation findings, and collaborate with healthcare providers, laboratories, community partners, and public health programs. Your work will help connect residents with potentially lifesaving resources while improving Maricopa County’s understanding of substance use-related health impacts.

Come work for Maricopa County Department of Public Health, the 3rd largest health jurisdiction in the U.S.! MCDPH’s mission is to increase the quality of life for our residents by collaborating with the community to develop and implement strategies, programs, and services addressing the emerging and changing needs of public health. We aim to serve Maricopa County residents with a focus on impact and a data-driven approach to our work. We value our staff's unique skills and differences, as well as the varied experiences and disciplines we represent. Together, we are working towards our vision of creating a healthy, thriving Maricopa County for all.

• Work with a greater purpose
• Tuition reimbursement
• Exceptional work-life balance, with hybrid work schedule options
• Opportunities for growth and development within Maricopa County
• Low-cost, high-value healthcare for you and your qualifying dependents
• Child care benefits, including access to our on-site center, Maricopa County Kids Club, dedicated to serving Maricopa County families
• Paid vacation, sick time, and parental leave
• Extensive wellness program, including an incentive
• Enrollment in the Arizona State Retirement System, a defined retirement benefit requiring an 11.98% per paycheck contribution rate that includes a 100% employer match on Day 1
• Want to learn more about the County’s Qualifying and Compensation Philosophy? Follow this link to learn more!  Work With Us | Maricopa County, AZ

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• Experience interacting with people who use drugs and discussing substance use in a respectful, nonjudgmental manner
• Experience working with people from varied socioeconomic backgrounds
• Experience reviewing medical records and applying basic medical terminology
• Experience administering surveys or interviews
• Experience using Motivational Interviewing techniques
• Bilingual skills in Spanish and English

• Conducts confidential telephone investigations with people who use substances or screened positive for hepatitis C virus infection to obtain epidemiological information and assess relevant risk factors
• Reviews case reports, medical records, laboratory information, and other documentation to verify key information, assess investigation needs, and identify missing or inconsistent information
• Provides harm-reduction education, infection prevention recommendations, and overdose-prevention information and refers clients to community resources or healthcare providers for diagnosis, treatment, and care
• Contacts healthcare facilities, providers, laboratories, and other partners to obtain records, clarify case information, and support complete and timely investigations
• Determines case classification and initiates appropriate public health interventions based on established protocols, available information, and program guidance
• Collaborates with internal programs and external agencies to ensure data quality, improve investigation completeness, and support surveillance and program activities
• Maintains clear, accurate, and confidential documentation of client, family, provider, and partner encounters in applicable surveillance and case-management systems
• Packages, addresses, and prepares overdose-prevention and harm-reduction supplies for distribution by mail and tracks related fulfillment activities

• Position is typically office or administrative work and is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions
• Working with computers, telephones, standard office equipment, electronic health records, disease-surveillance databases, data-entry reporting software, overdose-prevention materials, and mailing/packaging supplies
• Personal protective equipment is not routinely required for regular office-based duties, but appropriate protective equipment may be required during assigned emergency-response activities
• Ability to exert up to 10 lbs. occasionally or negligible weights frequently; sitting most of the time
• Must maintain strict confidentiality when handling protected health information and sensitive client information
• Must be comfortable discussing sensitive topics related to substance use, overdose, infectious disease, serious illness, and death in a professional and respectful manner
• Must be able to participate in emergency response training as scheduled and be available to respond as directed in the event of a public health emergency
• Within one month of hire, all employees will be required to provide evidence of immunity or receive immunizations for vaccine-preventable illnesses for any position within the Maricopa County Department of Public Health; required immunizations include MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), Tdap (whooping cough and diphtheria), Varicella (chickenpox), and annual Influenza; some positions require a Hepatitis B vaccine and/or a Tuberculosis test

• Consideration will only be given to candidates who submit online applications

• Candidates will be contacted primarily through email and their Workday online application profile

• Must pass a pre-employment background and/or fingerprint investigation as required by statute or policy, including drug and alcohol testing requirements for positions designated as safety-sensitive

Maricopa County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application process or to perform the essential functions of the position under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact MHRFeedback@maricopa.gov to initiate the interactive process.