Title: Regional Health Specialist: Academic Detailer
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Date: June 2024
Reports to: Capacity Extension Section Supervisor
PURPOSE OF POSITION
Busy clinicians, behavioral health providers, and public health professionals need an accurate, ongoing source of current data about the epidemiology, testing, prevention, and treatment of HIV, STIs, and hepatitis. Likewise, social service providers also need to be updated about the network of services available to their clients who are disproportionately susceptible to or living with HIV, STIs, or hepatitis. Because all professionals have competing demands for their time, the field of academic detailing, or as we call it, public health detailing has emerged to help medical and social services providers to keep abreast of current evidence, research, and best practices. Public health detailing is interactive educational outreach to medical and social services providers by trained professionals.
Public health detailers provide support for stakeholders to conduct sexual health assessments; to integrate testing and prevention services at their facilities; to understand and respond to health disparities that are associated with social determinants of health; and to reduce stigma associated with HIV, STIs, and hepatitis.
JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY
The mission of the Regional Health Specialists (RHS) is to cultivate the workforce that will end HIV-, STI-, and hepatitis-related health disparities in Iowa. RHS initiates frequent contact with healthcare providers, substance use prevention and treatment specialists, mental health practitioners, community-based correction advocates, public health and human service providers, and medical and health science students. RHS implements public health detailing strategies to support, educate, and customize evidence-based interventions that improve HIV, STI, and hepatitis-related health outcomes. Specialists position themselves within the community as liaisons between its members and the programs and services of the Bureau of HIV, STD, and Hepatitis.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Develop and maintain a sufficient knowledge base concerning a variety of HIV/STI/HCV-related topics including:
- Epidemiology and data overview
- HIV Care Continuum
- Health equity and issues of importance to the health of communities marginalized on the basis of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, HIV stigma and other barriers in rural Iowa
- Mental health, trauma, and their relationship to HIV outcomes
- Pre- and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP and nPEP)
- Substance use and Opioid epidemic infectious disease correlation
- Current clinical practice recommendations
- The programs, services, and processes of the Bureau of HIV, STD, and Hepatitis.
- Identify and develop relationships with key stakeholders and gatekeepers in the assigned region and serve as a liaison between the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services and:
- Local health systems/Hospitals/Clinics/Clinical Leaders
- Mental health professionals
- Substance use prevention and treatment agencies
- Community-based corrections
- Community-based organizations
- the Iowa Primary Care Association
- Local public health agencies
- Boards of Health
- IDPH Sub-Recipients such as Ryan White and testing sites
- Gather, prepare, and disseminate educational material and tools for stakeholders highlighting and substantiating essential public health messages.
- Deliver tailored presentations that meet educational objectives related to stakeholder and patient/client needs.
- Conduct interviews and other tailored strategies (academic detailing) to evaluate clinician/service provider baseline knowledge, needs, barriers, and motivations for implementing culturally responsive and evidence-based public health practices related to HIV, STI, and hepatitis care, treatment, testing, and related issues.
- Work with stakeholders to identify and implement SMART objectives that will improve access to healthcare and support services for the patient population.
- Provide referrals, trouble-shooting resources, and positive reinforcement of improved practices in follow-up visits.
- Strengthen systems and build supports for the implementation of HIV/STI testing, prevention, linkage, and retention of people living with HIV in care.
- Attend local coalition/community meetings as a representative of the Bureau of HIV, STD, and Hepatitis.
- Track and report outreach efforts and outcomes.
- Serve as a liaison and collaborate with other Bureau of HIV, STD, and Hepatitis program staff on a variety of projects and initiatives.
- Other duties as assigned.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
This job has no supervisory responsibilities.
QUALIFICATIONS
We value lived experience as an important source of knowledge and expertise. We seek to build and support a workforce that reflects and honors the rich diversity of the populations most impacted by the epidemics of HIV, STIs, and viral hepatitis. By bringing forth the lived experiences, understandings, and strengths of our employees and the people we serve, we are better able to fulfill our mission to stop these intersecting epidemics and their root causes. As such, any combination of education and experience that would contribute to success in the role will be considered. The knowledge, skills, and abilities below are representative of those preferred for this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
PREFERRED EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
- LPN, Medical Assistant, Registered Nurse, Healthcare Provider, Social Work, Public Health, Health Promotion and Education, Pharmaceutical Representative, or other related field. Four-year degree preferred.
- Demonstrated experience in public speaking and ability to communicate effectively to a variety of audiences, including in professional settings.
- Possess knowledge of adult learning principles and preferred experience in utilizing these strategies to influence behavior change among adult professionals.
- Possess skills related to motivational interviewing, mediation, emotional intelligence, sales, or other “soft skills” that facilitate rapport and relationship building with a diverse group of stakeholders.
- Knowledge of health equity, social determinants of health, and culturally responsive strategies for improving access and engagement in healthcare and support services.
- In-depth knowledge of HIV, STIs, and hepatitis preferred.
- Familiarity with technology to deliver presentations in person and remotely.
- Must be flexible and able to adapt readily to new environments, circumstances, or unexpected changes.
- Must possess the ability to prioritize, organize tasks and manage time successfully.
- The ideal candidate will be self-motivated, driven, innovative, and a team-player.
- Fluent in Microsoft Office and G-Suite (google apps). Expertise in PowerPoint and Google Slides a must.
- Must possess a valid driver’s license and a reliable automobile and be available for regular travel within the assigned region as well as to Des Moines, including occasional overnight and weekend travel as needed.
Work from Off Site/Work from Home:
The Regional Health Specialist will work from an off-site location or from an approved home office. Must be self-motivated to work in this environment. Preference will be given to candidates who live in Northcentral and Northeast Iowa.
Benefits:
Full-time positions offer a competitive benefits package including health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, 401k match, a paid time off plan, and more.
COMPANY INFORMATION
NuCara Specialty Pharmacy Staffing Services, Capacity Extension Program, is an independent contractor of the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services with offices located in the Historic East Village of Des Moines and throughout Iowa. We provide public health staffing and programming with a focus on extending the capacity and agility of the Bureau of HIV, STI, and Hepatitis.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands are representative of those found in a general office environment.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment is representative of that found in a general office environment. Tasks involve the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight (20-25 pounds.) Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation and on the telephone.
Job Type: Full-time
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $57,595.20 - $89,294.40 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
Application Question(s):
- Tell us about your lived experience, especially related to stigma and stigmatized communities who are disproportionately impacted by HIV, STIs, and Hepatitis.
- You have been asked to reach out to an obstetrician who has not been testing pregnant patients for syphilis and has had two patients in the past year pass the virus on to their babies. The physician has not returned your call or responded to your attempt to stop by and leave information with the receptionist. Fill in the blanks: For my next step, I would: ______. If that wasn't successful, I would: _______. At what point would it be appropriate to stop attempting to reach out to the provider? Under what circumstances or at what point would you try to approach the clinic again?
- Describe your connection to northcentral and/or northeast Iowa. Where do you live and how long have you lived there? How familiar are you with the people, businesses, and resources in the area?
Ability to Relocate:
- Iowa: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: On the road