There are currently two full-time vacancies in the title of Community Health Nurse located at the Tompkins County Health Department

We are seeking dedicated Project Assistant (Case Monitors) to assist in our efforts to limit the spread of contagious diseases. In this role, your duties will include contacting positive cases once they have already completed initial interview. You will be monitoring and documenting patients’ symptoms, referring to additional support resources as needed, ensuring those placed under isolation comply with regulations, and releasing patients from isolation when they meet criteria for release. You may be asked to assist with responding to public inquiries coming into the Community Health Division of the Health Department.  For those candidates who are interested, there is an option to assist with administration and data entry at vaccine clinics organized by the Health Department, as the need arises. At this time, the Health Department is working with the NYS DOH Virtual Call Center to support quarantine efforts, but Case Monitors may be tasked with conducting the initial interview with contacts of positive cases, and monitoring and releasing those in quarantine if the need arises.   

To ensure success, Case Monitors should possess excellent organizational skills and the ability to work in an environment where strict adherence to policies and procedures is required. First-class candidates exhibit sound judgment and exceptional interpersonal skills.  

• Maintain ongoing virtual communication to monitor symptoms of positive cases. 
• Communicate with nurse supervisor if the case you are calling is experiencing new symptoms or needs isolation extended 
• Refer cases to available community resources. 
• Collaborate with designated local authorities in supporting the isolation and quarantine of individuals. 
• Comply with all Health Department regulations, including those aimed at protecting personal information. 
• Educate regarding requirements of isolation and meeting criteria for release from isolation (using NYSDOH guidance document regarding when to release) 
• Document in CommCare regarding any symptoms the person might be having and how they are doing with isolation 
• Issue isolation release email on release day and close case in CommCare 
• Provide contact tracing and quarantine support if the need arises:  
• Interviewing traced contacts once the reference case investigation is completed by a nurse. Interview includes gathering demographic information, providing education on quarantine, quarantine dates, symptoms, when/where to get tested, and daily monitoring during quarantine (SMS or phone call) 
• Providing contacts with regulated information on isolation and quarantine procedures. 
• Referring contacts to available community resources. 
• Daily monitoring phone calls to people in mandatory quarantine (for those who opt out of SMS or for those who have symptoms) 
• Ask if people are experiencing symptoms, know where to send people for testing if they are symptomatic and how to help them if they do not have transportation to the testing site 
• Ensure people in quarantine have their needs met in order to continue to quarantine 
• Educate re: essential worker and healthcare worker guidelines if person is going to work during quarantine (see NYSDOH guidance documents regarding this) 
• Document interview in CommCare and enroll contact in SMS, and issue mandatory quarantine notice via email  
• Issue mandatory quarantine release email on last day of mandatory quarantine and close contact in CommCare 
• Assist with response to inquiries from the public, if the need arises
• Assist with vaccine clinic data entry, logistics, and support for crowd flow, if the need arises  

Skills needed: 

• Ability to listen and support person in isolation, including providing community resources to help meet the needs someone might have in isolation. Ability to think on your feet, adapt and learn quickly, and work in a team are a plus.   

The health department is open seven days a week for communicable disease surveillance.  This work can be done remotely, all necessary equipment will be provided by the Health Department.  A typical work day is from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm with a 30-min break for lunch.  Working hours may range from 16 to 35 hours a week, but will depend on the candidate’s availability and the need.  The work schedule can be flexible and adapted as needed with the Supervisor, but minimum working hours are not guaranteed.   

We are seeking dedicated Case Investigators to assist in our efforts to limit the spread of contagious diseases. In this role, your duties will include contacting positive cases, determining who had close contact with diagnosed patients, conducting remote assessments of symptoms, and ensuring that those placed under isolation or quarantine comply with regulations. 

To ensure success, Case Investigators should possess excellent organizational skills and the ability to work in an environment where strict adherence to policies and procedures is required. First-class candidates exhibit sound judgment and exceptional interpersonal skills, and work well in a team.   

Case Investigator Expectations and Responsibilities: 

• Conduct case investigation interviews with patients who are newly diagnosed 
• Document and assess symptoms 
• Determine isolation dates and explain and support isolation efforts 
• Make referrals to other community support resources as needed 
• Trace individuals the patient had contact with  

• Identify where they might have been exposed to the contagious disease in the first place 
• Coordinate COVID case investigation and contact tracing efforts with Supervisors from the Local Health Department and other community partners. 
• Conduct interviews in a professional manner that reflects emotional and cultural awareness 
• Collect and record complete and accurate information using Commcare software 
• Collaborate with designated local authorities in supporting the isolation and quarantine of individuals 

• Comply with all Health Department regulations, including those aimed at protecting personal information. 

The health department is open seven days a week for communicable disease surveillance.  This work can be done remotely, all necessary equipment will be provided by the Health Department.  A typical work day is from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm with a 30 min break for lunch.  Working hours may range from 16 to 35 hours a week, but will depend on the candidate’s availability and the need.  The work schedule can be flexible and adapted as needed with the Supervisor, but minimum working hours are not guaranteed.    

Shift: 3pm - 11pm- Paid vacation, sick and personal leave, NYS Retirement, Health/Dental (BC&BS) insurance and in-service education opportunities.