Overdose-Related Morbidities Epidemiology Investigator

Are you ready to make a difference in the community by combating the spread of disease and championing harm reduction? If so, the Epidemiology Investigator role is for you! 

As an Epidemiology Investigator, you will be a member of a specialized team focused on the surveillance of substance use-related morbidities, including nonfatal opioid overdoses and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. You will be responsible for calling people who have recently survived an opioid overdose or who have screened positive for HCV infection. Epidemiology Investigators will speak with patients by phone and share harm-reduction education, community resources, and infection-control recommendations while collecting key risk-factor data during calls.

About Us

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.

Proud to Offer

• Work with a greater purpose

• Tuition reimbursement

• Exceptional work-life balance, with hybrid and alternative work schedules

• 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 a 12% 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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We Require

• Bachelor's degree in Health Promotion, Public Health, Medical Technology, Health Sciences, or a health-related field

• A combination of post-secondary education and/or job-related experience interacting with clients and gathering health information by conducting health-related investigations, community outreach, or case management at a public health, healthcare, or academic institution may substitute for the minimum requirements on a year-for-year basis

We Also Value

• Experience interacting with people who use illicit substances/drugs and speaking about illicit substances/drugs

• Experience interacting with people from various socioeconomic groups

• Experience with medical record documentation and a basic understanding of medical terminology

• Experience with administering surveys and interviews

• Experience with Motivational Interviewing

• Bilingual Spanish/English skills

Job Contributions

• Contacts a specified number of case patients by phone per day

• Packages and addresses overdose prevention supplies for mail-out, on-site

• Conducts case investigations on diseases, health events, and exposures

• Contacts healthcare facilities, providers, and laboratories to obtain case health records

• Reviews case medical records for key fields

• Determines case classification and initiates public health interventions focused on harm reduction; this may include referring patients to community resources or healthcare providers for diagnosis, treatment, and care

• Provides related information and education to clients, medical providers, community, and staff

• Maintains clear documentation of patient, family, and provider encounters

• Collaborates with intra/inter-agencies to ensure data accuracy and investigation completeness

Working Conditions

• Most work is performed in an office environment, with an approved hybrid telework schedule

• Must be able to work comfortably with topics related to death and disease

• Strict adherence to confidentiality policies is required

• 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 are 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