Category: Intervention Specialist

Disease Intervention Specialists (DIS) are responsible for promoting public health and infectious disease awareness within a community. With Disease Intervention Specialists, risk groups are identified and those currently infected are notified, helping to prevent the spread of serious illness. Disease intervention specialists act as public health and awareness agents.

We’ve put together this career guide to help you better understand the role of a disease intervention specialist. If you possess strong research skills, an empathetic nature, and excellent customer service, becoming a Disease Intervention Specialist could be a great career choice. One of the many advantages of this position is the ability to work remotely. We included Disease Intervention Specialists on our list of the best home nursing jobs.

Duties and Responsibilities of the Disease Intervention Specialist

What Does A Disease Intervention Specialist Do?

Disease Intervention Specialists serve as public health outreach workers who are commonly responsible for locating and counseling people with sexually transmitted diseases, as well as their contacts. Her skills include communication, contact tracing, interviewing, case analysis, and community engagement.

The job duties of a DIS parallel those that would be required to respond quickly and efficiently to critical public health issues, such as bioterrorism.

Some Of The Daily Job Responsibilities Of A Disease Intervention Specialist Include:

• Follow-up of patients who have STDs such as syphilis, HIV, and gonorrhea.
• Ensuring that each patient receives appropriate treatment and educational counseling.
• Ensure that each patient’s partners are brought in for testing and treatment.
• Conducting voluntary interviews with patients to acquire the names and contact information of their partners.
• Use contact information to contact patient associates and notify them of their potential exposure.
• Advise the patient on how to successfully notify and refer their partners.
• Notify exposed partners if the patient prefers that they do so.
• Employ entry-level investigative skills to perform job tasks related to infectious disease threats to public health.

Where Do Disease Intervention Specialists Work?

Disease intervention specialists may work remotely for health departments, community health centers, and other similar institutions. They run contact tracing, partner services, and emergency response for their employer. However, since the heart of this job is building trust, developing a relationship, and providing support to the public, you will likely need to travel and meet other people in addition to virtual communication.

Disease Intervention Specialist Hours

Disease intervention specialists may work during regular business hours. They also tend to hold full-time positions at 40+ hours per week. On occasion, they may be required to work outside of normal business hours and travel to events.

Disease Intervention Specialist Skills

Becoming a disease intervention specialist may be a good option for you if:

• Offer excellent interpersonal communication skills.
• Possess strong contact tracing skills
• Excellent in interviews, counseling, and case analysis.
• Be aware of observation
• Interact with the community as needed
• They are trustworthy, empathetic, resourceful, and supportive.
• Approach tasks with a patient and dedicated mindset

• Works well with others, various personality types, etc.

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To be qualified for the role of Disease Intervention Specialist, you will likely need to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Some employers will require you to obtain a bachelor’s degree in epidemiology or public health and experience in health policy and work. Many employers will also allow you to take the knowledge and skills you’ve learned from earning your BSN and apply them to the role of a Disease Intervention Specialist.

If you want to earn a BSN, this means you must graduate from an accredited nursing program. You may also be required to pass the NCLEX-RN Licensing Exam and look for two to four years of related experience.

If you want to become a remote disease intervention specialist, you will need to take the following steps:

Earn A Bachelor Of Nursing (BSN)

The first step to becoming a DIS is to earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing. While you could also earn a degree in public health or epidemiology, earning your BSN will likely prepare you for better job opportunities, higher earning potential, and a better job outlook.

BSN Program Candidates Typically, you must submit various application materials, such as transcripts, GRE scores, personal essays, and letters of recommendation.

Basic nursing classes during a BSN program often include the following topics:

• professional nursing
• Health Assessment
• family nursing
• Medical and surgical care
• nursing management
• psychosocial nursing

Get Specialized Training

If you’re looking to become a DIS, you may need to get specialized job training through your employer. This training typically includes how to determine public health issues, discuss sensitive issues with patients, and any other relevant health and safety regulations in the field.

Disease Intervention Specialist School Cost

So how much does it cost to become a disease intervention specialist? As noted above, most disease intervention specialists have earned at least a bachelor’s degree. If they choose to pursue a BSN, the cost will typically depend on the institution.

However, you can probably expect to pay anywhere from $40,000 to $100,000 when this process is said and done.

Work-From-Home Opportunities

Before you apply for your first remote job, consider shadowing an experienced DIS. This allows you to observe your daily tasks. In this role, peer assistance and mentoring are a vital part of the learning process. Talk to other disease intervention specialists, as well as your supervisors, for vital support. It would also be beneficial to interact with specialists from all over the country. For example, you can attend the National Coalition of STD Directors (NCSD) Annual Conference.

Once you have completed your training, you can search for remote positions in the field. Check out job boards at  certifiednursing.org, content at  nursejournal.org, and job listings on  LinkedIn. Don’t forget to search for open positions on  Indeed and ZipRecruiter, too!

Treatments for Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Intervention

In addition to medication, alcohol intervention programs use group counseling and therapy to help you stop drinking. Most alcoholics need help to recover from their illness. With support and treatment, many people can stop drinking and get their lives back on track.

self-help groups

Alcoholics Anonymous

Self-help groups are the most commonly sought-after source of help for alcohol-related problems. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is one of the best-known self-help groups. AA emphasizes person-to-person group relationships and a commitment to recovery. The meetings consist primarily of discussions about the participants’ problems with alcohol and testimonials from those people who have recovered. AA outlines 12 consecutive activities, or steps, that you should achieve during the recovery process. You can get involved with AA before you start professional treatment, as part of it, or as aftercare after professional treatment.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Numerous cognitive and behavioral therapies can be used in the treatment of alcohol abuse and alcoholism. These approaches target thoughts and behaviors that could contribute to alcohol abuse. Cognitive-behavioral interventions have been shown to improve mood and reduce substance abuse.

Aversive conditioning is a behavioral approach in which alcohol consumption is associated with a wide range of noxious stimuli. Another approach, self-management training, can help you reduce your alcohol intake without abstaining entirely. A variety of coping and stress management skills could also be used.

Relapse prevention will help you recognize early warning signs of relapse. You will identify high-risk situations, such as parties or sporting events, and learn to assess your vulnerability to relapse. You will learn coping skills to help you avoid or refrain from risky situations. They also teach you how to handle a relapse so you don’t get discouraged or lose confidence.

Motivational Stimulation Therapy

Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) is based on the assumption that you have the responsibility and ability to change. Your therapist begins by giving you individualized feedback about the effects of your drinking. Working closely together, you and your therapist will explore the benefits of abstinence, review treatment options, and design a plan to implement treatment goals.

Couples Therapy

It is often very helpful to involve a non-alcoholic spouse or partner in your treatment program. This can increase the likelihood that you will complete therapy and continue to abstain after finishing treatment.

Behavioral-marital therapy (BMT) combines a focus on drinking with efforts to strengthen your marital relationship. BMT involves shared activities and the teaching of communication skills and conflict assessment. Couples therapy could also be combined with learning and rehearsing a relapse prevention plan. Among alcoholics with severe marital and drinking problems, the combination approach produces improved marital relationships and higher abstinence rates.…