THE WORK OF A DISEASE CONTROL OFFICER
Job Purpose:
To contribute to effective surveillance, forecast and control of diseases of public health
importance, outbreaks, emerging and re-emerging threats and pandemics
Main Duties and Responsibilities
-Assist in managing epidemics. This includes:
o Carrying out mass vaccination in times of epidemics and mass treatment of
endemic diseases
o Assist in estimating resources needed—vaccines, drugs etc to control
epidemics
o Contribute to the development of strategies to combat epidemics
-Perform follow-up investigations on other non-communicable diseases.
-Perform follow up investigations of bacterial, viral or parasitic infections reported to
the health facility to determine source of infection, contacts and carriers of disease.
-Provide feedback on follow-up investigations of infections reported to health facilities
within area of jurisdiction.
-Provide treatment for clients with communicable diseases according to treatment
protocol
-Participate in the collection and analysis of appropriate epidemiological information
regarding communicable and non-communicable diseases within the community
using the GHS Reportable Disease Information System (GHSRDIS).
-Respond to communicable disease outbreaks to determine the source and to
recommend specific control measures.
-Participate in the regular monitoring and supervision of surveillance activities within
area of jurisdiction.
-Participate in the monitoring and evaluation of the impact of disease control and
prevention strategies
-Perform other official duties that might be assigned.
Communication and Working relationships
-Maintain effective communication and good working relationship with staff, clients
and visitors.
-Develop and sustain partnership working with individuals, groups, communities and
agencies
-Attend and contribute at general staff meetings
Personal and People Development
-Develop and maintain continuing personal and professional development to meet the
changing demands in the area of disease control and prevention.
-Monitor own performance against agreed objectives and standards.
-Keep up to date on job related issues as appropriate.
-Keep log of own performance and in-service training log for purposes of appraisal.
Health Safety Responsibilities
-Take care of own safety and ensure the safety of other staff in the disease control
unit.
-Comply with the health and safety policies, guidelines/protocols
Quality Assurance
-Comply with all GHS Quality Assurance Policy guidelines
-Keep up-to-date with quality developments relevant to area of work and related
services.
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