Hybrid Senior Public Health Assistant - Tuberculosis Program bei Lake County, IL

About the Department

The Senior Public Health Assistant is a valuable member of our Tuberculosis team who under the direct supervision of the Tuberculosis Coordinator, facilitates client entry into the Tuberculosis clinic, screens clients for eligibility, answers incoming phone calls, schedules appointments, verifies insurance, bills client, tracks inventory, places orders for supplies and equipment, receives purchases, enters required data into computer system, facilitates the completion of a client’s application for “Fee for Services”, and provides information and resources. This position also translates for Spanish-speaking clients, assists with home visits for direct observed therapy, provides Tuberculosis education, and outreach in the community. The employee will receive training in the daily job functions as well as training on the necessary knowledge needed to perform the above-mentioned activities. Work assignments are specialized, and some specific areas of responsibility will be assigned.

Scheduled Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Position Duties

• Serves as a receptionist/greeter: schedules appointments, answers client questions, checks clients in and makes phone calls to follow-up with clients who have missed appointments; Centralized phone duties as assigned.
• Explains program services to clients and their families in the home and other settings.
• In collaboration with the TB nurse, assists in determination of eligibility for services by screening clients for income/residency requirements according to program guidelines and enrolls in appropriate services. Checks identification documents for accuracy and completion, and ensures appropriate signatures.
• Electronically completes client intake including participant look-up, program /insurance information, immunizations, service entry, and caseload assignment. Explains program services and clients’ rights & responsibilities. 
• Accurately performs data entry of program-related data and information in the Agency’s electronic scheduling and health record. 
• Establishes a sensitive and understanding rapport with clients to ensure open communication and increase client compliance. Translates Spanish/English with general proficiency to clients and client families for TB staff. 
• Promotes TB screening and treatment, educating clients on test purpose, expected reactions, result follow-up, and importance of taking treatment per doctor’s instructions. 
• Performs directly observed therapy (DOT) by visiting in client’s place of residence or place of employment (this could extend beyond normal work hours).
• Monitor video-assisted directly observed therapy (VDOT) on clients selected by the TB Coordinator and Head Nurse. 
• DOT and VDOT includes watching clients take their prescribed medicines monitoring client’s compliance, progress on remaining medications, and recording these encounters in Agency’s Electronic Medical Records. Provides input and follows guidance provided by clinical staff to improve client compliance. 
• Investigates the locations of known or suspect cases of active TB where there has not been a repsonse to the clinic’s inquiries. • Prints and issues client related medical and administrative documentation and faxes.
• Assists in organizing, scanning documents into charts, or pulling charts as needed.
• Participates in gathering and maintaining program statistics and completes required forms/reports (including timecard) in a timely manner to ensure accurate data collection.
• Maintains and tracks inventory of clerical and clinical supplies and equipment supplies at assigned workstation. Completes order form monthly to assure adequate inventory at workstation. • Participates in Continuous Quality Improvement activities to assess, monitor and improve clinic services.
• Participates in community outreach and education promotion activities.
• Participates in mandatory in-services and drills, attends staff trainings and other continuing education to update skills, meet programmatic needs, and provide for individual career goals.
• Performs duties in a prioritized organized and orderly manner to maximize clinic efficiency and productivity. 
• Utilizes knowledge of clinic organization and client flow to assist with the clinic set up. Maintains orderliness and cleanliness of clinic and work area. 
• Assists in maintaining office/clinic security by locking up equipment, money, and other supplies.
• Develops and maintains a basic knowledge of services available at LCHD.
• Has a basic awareness of the populations impacted by TB infection and risk factors to progress to TB disease to reduce health disparities within our communities.
• Demonstrates adherence to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) and Protected Health Information (PHI) regulations per agency policies.
• Develops and maintains a working knowledge of individual Emergency Preparedness roles. 
• Reports all unusual occurrences that may involve the safety and well-being of the clients and coworkers directly to the Supervisor, Program/Clinic Coordinator; and/or Safety Officer.
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires a High School Diploma or G.E.D.
• Requires two years relevant experience.
• Requires being bilingual in English and Spanish. 
• Experience working with computer systems and having data entry skills.
• Ability to work on weekends holidays and overtime if necessary. • Ability to maintain and keep records.
• Ability to relate well to a wide variety of individuals (clients, peers, supervisory staff) in a professional manner.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to read, write, and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. 
• Some knowledge of spelling, punctuation and grammar.
• Aptitude for working with numbers.
  

Other Qualifications

As the largest human service provider in Lake County, we believe that services must be available without barriers. No residents are turned away due to the inability to pay. We believe in providing services in an environment of mutual respect, free of discrimination or bias. Whether assuring accessible and effective care, impacting policy, or assessing and monitoring risks, the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center has been an essential part of the public health system in Lake County for 60 years. We are looking for passionate, qualified team members who can help make a difference in our agency and, most importantly, in our community. 

Additional information about the Lake County Health Department, our culture, and why you should join our team can be found athttps://lakecountyil.attract.neogov.com/health-department.

At this time, you must live in Illinois or Wisconsin to be eligible to work at Lake County Health Department. You can find our salary gradesathttps://www.lakecountyil.gov/4515/Salary-Grades. For unionized positions, a list of our collective bargaining agreements can be found here: https://www.lakecountyil.gov/2686/Collective-Bargaining-Agreements.

Any offer of employment is conditioned on the successful completion of a background screening, drug and alcohol testing and may include a pre-employment medical exam.

The Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other protected characteristics.