A Standardized Approach to the Development of a Job Description for Disease Intervention Specialists (DIS)

Background: Estimates indicate that there may be 2,000 Disease Intervention Specialists (DIS) working in health departments and federally qualified health centers. DIS enter the public health workforce from a diverse array of education and experiential backgrounds. The Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) contracted with PSI Services LLC (PSI) to conduct a Job Analysis and Test Specification for creation of a DIS credential. A Job Analysis was conducted to obtain information about tasks performed in the DIS job role and the knowledge statements to support the performance of these tasks. This process was conducted in accordance with industry requirements to ensure the development of content-valid and legally-defensible examinations. A three-phase approach was conducted to identify the tasks and knowledge necessary for competent performance of DIS across various settings and professional disciplines as well as geographical work settings

Methods: Phase one involved researching the role of the DIS using existing literature. Draft task and knowledge areas of a DIS were developed based on a literature review. Phase two involved refinement of the DIS role and function content. Subject matter experts reviewed, revised, and refined task and knowledge statements through multiple, iterative reviews. Task and knowledge statement drafts were developed. Phase 3 involved validation of the DIS role and job function content; conducting a public survey of DIS using Survey Monkey; and obtaining demographic and firmographic information to document the survey sample. Factor analyses were used to determine importance and performance ratings for tasks and knowledge. The date were then linked from the survey to build the new DIS examination specifications in conjunction with input from a group of subject matter experts.

Results: The outcome is a legally defensible, standardized DIS job description that can form the basis for national certification.

Conclusions: It is possible to develop a statistical process for describing the work of DIS.