KIPP Metro Atlanta Schools is part of the growing network of KIPP Public Schools across the nation. KIPP Public Schools is a national network of free, open enrollment, college-preparatory public schools dedicated to supporting all students to reach their highest aspirations. There are 270 KIPP schools across the nation serving more than 120,000students. Nationally, KIPP students have a 4X higher graduation rate than that of their peers.

KIPP Metro Atlanta currently operates eleven KIPP schools including four primary schools, five middle schools, one K-6 school, and one high school, as well as the KIPP Forward program which supports students through college, career, and beyond. 

Case investigation and contact tracing are the processes of working with a person (patient) who has been diagnosed with an infectious disease to identify and provide support to other people (contacts) possibly infected through close contact with the patient. This process is a core disease control measure employed by health department personnel for decades and is a crucial strategy for preventing the spread of COVID-19. Depending on the agency or jurisdiction, separate personnel may perform both the case investigation and contact tracing roles. At KIPP Metro Atlanta Schools, our Case Investigators will perform both functions.

As a KIPP Metro Atlanta Schools Case Investigator your main responsibilities include: 

COVID Safety Support

• Support 1 to 3 KMAS Campuses with COVID-19 protocol implementation.
  • Universal and correct use of masks
  • Physical distancing
  • Handwashing and respiratory etiquette
  • Cleaning and maintaining healthy facilities
• Ensure campuses have required supply of COVID-19 safety supplies, e.g., masks, hand sanitizers, soap, etc.
• Support morning entry and afternoon exit in accordance with protocols
• Support lunchtime observance of protocols
• Maintain COVID-19 safety signage in Health Suites
• Monitor patients (children and adults) in COVID-19 isolation (CARE Rooms) as needed
• Coordinate campus exit for persons with COVID-19 symptoms, exposure, or diagnoses.
• Train campus staff on COVID-19 safety protocols
• Implement COVID-19 Advanced Mitigation Strategies, including Test-to-Play, Test-to-Stay, etc.
• Implement state and district requirements regarding COVID-19, including state and district-required reporting, vaccination status confirmation, etc.
• Other duties as delegated by the Director of Health and Safety in accordance with the Georgia Nurse Practice Act (Board of Registered Nurses)

Compliance

• Helps ensure school compliance with federal, state and local school district guidelines and requirements regarding reporting COVID-19 cases and mitigation
• Ensures timeliness, accuracy and thoroughness of medical documentation including monitoring of COVID-19 case investigations
• Initiate prompt communication with KIPP community members diagnosed with or exposed to COVID-19 (contacts) through text, phone calls, email, and other communication platforms as necessary. Every effort should be made to interview the patient by telephone or video conference instead of in-person.
• Employ dynamic communication and interpersonal skills, cultural competency/ sensitivity, tactful language, and empathetic interviewing skills to build rapport and maintain trust with patients of varied backgrounds.
• Verify the individual's identity during initial communications and prior to disclosing confidential information. Assure confidentiality and carry out efforts to locate and communicate with clients in a manner that preserves the confidentiality and privacy of all involved.
• Verify receipt of a positive laboratory report or probable or suspected diagnosis of COVID-19. Notify the contact of their exposure to COVID-19, following a script or guidance to provide COVID-19 health education.
• Conduct notification of exposure in a manner that maintains the confidentiality of the patient (or person who was diagnosed with COVID-19) and ensures that the identity of the patient is NOT disclosed.
• Obtain and document detailed information regarding patient diagnosis, demographics, COVID-19 symptoms and their onset date(s), clinical course, underlying medical conditions, and other risk factors.
• Review clinically documented and patient's self-reported COVID-19 symptom history to determine the timeframe when the patient was infectious and not under isolation (contact elicitation window).
• Work with the patient to identify close contacts during the contact elicitation window, including household members, co-workers, and others who might have been exposed.
• Document date, duration, and location of exposure along with name, locating information (e.g., home, phone, email, work).
• Identify community settings (e.g., campus workplaces, residential housing, classrooms) that may require further investigation.
• Depending on the circumstance, the investigator may be coaching and supporting the client to notify contacts (e.g., parent, spouse/significant other, children) in the home.
• Provide guidance on COVID-19 control measures. This may include conveying information on situations requiring the exclusion of individuals from work, school, or specific activities within a group setting.
• Provide approved information on self-isolation and quarantine procedures, including what to do if symptoms worsen or new symptoms develop.
• Participate in requisite trainings, regular program meetings and quality monitoring improvement activities in order to ensure and enhance the quality of contact notification activities and program outcomes.

Required Qualifications:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including active listening, emotional intelligence
• Ability to interact in an empathetic and 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 use discretion, maintain confidentiality, and practice ethical conduct
• Ability to work effectively with all levels of staff, establishing and maintaining collaborative professional relationships
• Strong time management skills (organization, prioritization, multitasking)
• Proficiency with MS Office 365 (i.e., Outlook, Word)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience conducting telephone-based or in-person interviews and collecting and entering data
• Experience with health education, community outreach, linkage to care, social services
• Experience in a customer service industry
• Experience in public health
• Bilingual skills —fluency in the primary language(s) of the geographic area and communities assigned to support

Compensation:

We offer a competitive salary that depends on prior experience, as well as a benefits package including

• Healthcare (medical, vision, and dental) 
• Life and Long-term Disability
• Additional Voluntary Supplemental Insurance 
• Enrollment in the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia (mandatory for all employees)  

Statement of Non-Discrimination:

KIPP Metro Atlanta is committed to a policy of equal treatment for all individuals applying to the school.  KIPP Metro Atlanta does not discriminate based on race, color, gender, handicap, age, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin.