The Climate/Policy Intern will be an integral part of MACDC’s team, our climate work with LISC and New Ecology, and the implementation of all aspects of DASH activities.

The Intern’s responsibilities will include the following:

• Assist with staffing the Clean Energy Cohort, a community of practice for affordable housing professionals interested in energy efficiency, renewable energy, resiliency, and resident health to network, learn, and share information. This will include planning agendas, outreach to MACDC Members, and helping to manage a list serv to facilitate peer-to-peer conversations.
• Participate in planning two large-scale forums; one on “Electrification and Affordable Housing”, and the other on “Passive House Lessons Learned”.
• Assist with MACDC’s policy advocacy for financial and regulatory solutions to support deep energy retrofits and transition toward equitable decarbonization- through research, member mobilization, and stakeholder outreach. • Respond to inquiries about MACDC’s energy and climate-related work and help coordinate this work.
• Assist with other MACDC policy advocacy, including our health-related advocacy, the HERO Campaign to raise revenue for affordable housing and climate work, and advocacy related to federal funds coming to Massachusetts.
• Conduct research on policy and practice to support MACDC’s activities on energy, climate, housing, health, and other areas as requested. The Intern will have the opportunity to author, and co-author, blogs and articles for MACDC’s newsletter.

he Department of Population Health Science and Institute for Healthcare Delivery Science (I-HDS) at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS) are seeking a postdoctoral fellow to undertake epidemiological modeling and health economics research. The postdoctoral fellow will primarily work as a group member of a multidisciplinary research team on a project aiming to investigate prevention of cardiovascular disease in patients with diabetes.

The successful fellow will have the opportunity to receive comprehensive training and a unique research experience in advanced decision science and economic evaluation of health technology. In addition, the position provides the opportunity to engage with investigators at UCSF in San Francisco, CA, Wake Forest in Winston-Salem, NC, and the Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The fellow is encouraged to develop own research ideas and a career development grant application with support from the I-HDS faculty. Our institute has a strong culture of longterm mentoring of postdoctoral fellows and sponsoring them to become faculty, either at ISMMS or at other institutes.

Qualifications By the start of the fellowship, the candidate should have a PhD/doctoral degree in decision science, health economics, epidemiology, econometrics, biostatistics, or a related field. A strong interest in multidisciplinary research and academic career development, and programming proficiency in R statistical software are required. Previous experience with epidemiological modeling is preferred. Clinical experience, though not required, is a plus. Salary and Benefits  This position offers an integrated compensation package, a tailored benefits package, and generous paid time off. Postdoctoral housing is subject to availability. Additional funding for research-related travel may be granted with the department and PI’s prior approval.

How to Apply  Please submit CV and one-page cover letter describing relevant experience and your research interests to bart.ferket@mountsinai.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Short-listed candidates will have conference call interviews.

COVID-19 Corps M- Case Investigation and Contact Tracing Coordinator
Case investigation and contact tracing is the process of working with a patient who has been diagnosed with an infectious disease to identify and provide support to people (contacts) who have been exposed through close contact with the patient. This process is a core disease control measure that has been employed by health department personnel for decades and is a key strategy for preventing the spread of COVID-19. The Case Investigator and Contact Tracing Coordinator provides direction, support, and coordination for a diverse team including staff, volunteers, and contractors who conduct disease intervention activities with people (patients) with probable, suspected and laboratory-confirmed diagnoses of COVID-19, AND people (contacts), who may have been exposed to the virus, through close contact with a person diagnosed with COVID-19. The Case Investigator and Contact Tracing Coordinator provides direction, support, and coordination to the team in the use of MAVEN. "MAVEN" is the Massachusetts Virtual Epidemiologic Network - a PHIN (Public Health Information Network) compliant, secure web-based surveillance and case management system for infectious diseases that enables rapid, efficient communication among local and state health departments and laboratories. There is no software to download or purchase because MAVEN is a web-based application. MAVEN can be accessed from anywhere there is Internet connectivity.

Position Summary:
The Coordinator is an experienced public health professional providing support to the Worcester Division of Public Health and local boards of health in the fight against COVID-19. The Coordinator is responsible for the coordination, direction, training, and continuous assessment of a case investigation and contact tracing team serving multiple towns in the Worcester Division of Public Health jurisdiction. It is preferred that the Coordinator possesses an advanced understanding of the principles of case investigation and contact tracing, and the use of MAVEN and can guide the team regarding messaging, creative problem solving and other interventions for patients and contacts to interrupt ongoing disease transmission. The Coordinator supports the performance of day-to-day disease intervention activities, ensuring that the quality and timeliness of work is performed according to established state guidelines. In collaboration with the Chief of Nursing they instruct and monitor team activities, ensuring that team members’ efforts are aligned with standard operating procedures for collection of epidemiological data, instructions for quarantine and isolation, and linking clients to clinical and social support services. The Coordinator ensures compliance with policies and procedures of the Worcester Division of Public Health regarding confidentiality and data security for the handling of sensitive client information and protected health information. They collaborate with Worcester Division of Public Health staff and other key partners to evaluate COVID 19 activities, identify best practices and lessons learned and facilitate enhancements.

Essential Functions, include but are not limited to:

• Collaborates with state and local surveillance, epidemiology and clinical staff and other health officials in establishing priorities for case investigation and contact tracing, appropriate response protocols for incoming MAVEN case reports, and evaluation and monitoring of case investigation and contact tracing activities and outcomes.
• Directs the assignment of disease intervention activities, collaborating with the Chief of Nursing to ensure the equitable assignment of priority cases and contacts for investigation to the team. Monitors progress to ensure investigations are completed in a timely manner. Conducts workload assessments and adjusts work assignments as necessary. Facilitates inter-jurisdictional coordination of information to ensure the continuity of case investigation and contact tracing using MAVEN.
• Coordinates orientation and training of new hires/contractors/volunteers and existing case investigation and contact tracing team members. Ensures completion of role-specific knowledge and skill-based training courses, familiarity and proficiency with Massachusetts Department of Public Health guidance and scripts for interactions with patients and contacts, as well as MAVEN surveillance and data management system. Provides modeling and coaching of effective interview techniques and provides timely feedback to questions. Provides guidance on expectations for thorough investigation and documentation procedures and criteria for closure of case and contact follow-up activities.
• Provides ongoing coaching, mentorship and facilitates training for case investigation and contact tracing team to enhance performance. Supports Chief of Nursing with creative problem solving around complex and atypical cases, clarifying proper procedure for documentation and closure, resolving challenges in locating patients and contacts or persuading clients to comply with recommendations for medical evaluation, testing, quarantine or isolation. Coordinates collaborative learning opportunities such as facilitating meetings to discuss lessons learned with both successful and poor outcomes of case investigations, notification of exposure and isolation/quarantine compliance and monitoring.
• Supports Chief of Nursing in reviewing case reports prepared by team to ensure completeness and appropriateness of investigations and actions taken. Promptly discusses findings with Chief of Nursing and team and offers constructive feedback to improve or maximize levels of performance.
• Confers with Worcester Division of Public Health management team regarding significant events that could impact COVID 19 response (i.e., potential outbreak situations, personnel issues, changes in health care facility’s policies/infrastructure, or other special circumstances).
• Collaborates in the collection, analysis, and evaluation of process and outcome measures related to case investigation and contact tracing activities and related COVID 19 activities. Conducts routine report generation and review of performance measures. Identifies new and revised work procedures with potential for improving operating efficiency. Collaborates with state and local health jurisdictions and other relevant partners to discuss barriers, facilitators, making recommendations for improvement, jointly develop a plan of action to resolve systems issues and improve overall program effectiveness. Monitors quality improvement activities, providing feedback and training to redirect or realign priorities or resources as deemed necessary to achieve objectives.
• Maintains open communication and works collaboratively with staff and contractors within the Worcester Division of Public Health and its relevant partner organizations to maximize opportunities for disease intervention and to further other mutual goals. Provides documentation in standard reports and participates in regular COVID 19 meetings and other forums, providing updates on program activities, challenges and successes. Collaborates in initiatives to enhance the quality of contact tracing activities and program outcomes.
• Establishes protocols and procedures for routine administrative functions within assignment areas (e.g., coordinating schedules, tracking time, proper use of MAVEN). Employs best practices in the management of virtual workforces and implements appropriate telework policies/procedures, including provisions for patient confidentiality and data security.
• Ensures adherence with all requisite trainings and requirements for maintenance of patient confidentiality and collection of information using MAVEN in concordance with local data privacy and confidentiality standards.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements:
This job involves viewing a CRT or VDT screen 50 to 75 percent of the time. The position may require some travel and occasional participation in off-site meetings as the COVID 19 situation develops. The position requires responding to public health emergencies and at times requires communicating on short notice. The position will require daily use of a computer, telephone or cell phone, and access to a secure internet connection. The position may require working non-standard hours (evenings and weekends).

Required Qualifications/Skills:

• Associate degree, with three years of direct work experience conducting case investigation, contact tracing and other communicable disease investigation activities.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university, with two years of direct work experience conducting case investigation, contact tracing and other communicable disease investigation activities.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including active listening, emotional intelligence
• Ability to interact in a non-judgmental manner with culturally diverse populations and persons experiencing a wide range of social conditions
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and the ability to use sound judgment in responding to client issues and concerns
• Ability to compile, analyze and present data for various audiences
• Ability to read and write in English
• Ability to adapt to changing environments and give and receive constructive feedback
• Ability to identify performance challenges and appropriate solutions
• Ability to use discretion, maintain confidentiality and ethical conduct
•  Ability to work effectively with all levels of staff, establishing and maintaining collaborative professional relationships
• Strong time management skills (e.g., organization, prioritization, multitasking)
•  Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Proficiency with use of computers (desktop, laptop, tablet) and mobile devices (smartphones, mobile apps)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in supervising or leading personnel conducting communicable disease investigation, case investigation/contact tracing or carrying out health education, community outreach, linkage to care, or other public health efforts
• Experience in training, mentoring and coaching
• Bilingual skills (e.g., Spanish)
• Experience using MAVEN

To Apply: https://www.cdcfoundation.org/jobs