Jovanté Thomas
Chicago,IL
Summary
Insightful professional in public health research, known for high productivity and efficiency in task completion. Possess specialized skills in statistical analysis, disease surveillance, and public health policy development. Excel at communication, problem-solving, and teamwork, leveraging these soft skills to bridge gaps between scientific research and community health initiatives.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Infection Preventionist
Chicago Department of Public Health
Chicago, IL
04.2023 - Current
- Functions as a specialized advisor to healthcare facilities in defining infection prevention and control objectives and strategies
- Educates skilled nursing facilities about infection prevention practices as a lead group facilitator for the CDPH/CDC's Project Firstline project (e.g., successfully recruited and trained 12 skilled nursing facilities in less than six months).
- Identifies and monitors HAIs at healthcare facilities by assisting in the surveillance, analysis, and investigation of infections
- Manages and responds to known or suspected outbreaks of HAIs in healthcare facilities
- Conducts on-site assessments of healthcare facilities (e.g., examining infection control practices, reviewing protocols to ensure compliance with state and federal requirements, conducting gap analyses) and compiles assessment and recommendation reports
- Assists healthcare facilities in the development of mitigation strategies and conducts follow up visits to ensure facilities have resolved concerning practices
Deputy Director of Environmental Services
Cook County Sheriff's Office
Chicago , IL
12.2020 - 04.2023
- Conducts routine inspections of Division/Unit facilities to improve the living environment and facility maintenance outcomes, to mitigate pest related issues, and to respond effectively to detainees' and their grievances pertaining to food safety, sanitation, and pest within the jail setting
- Assists HR in hiring new prospective environmental health specialists, oversees CCSO pest control contractor operations, tracks all pest control notifications, creates the routine schedule for all pest control special projects, and facilitates environmental services related training such as food safety, sanitation, and laundry services for employees, vendors, volunteers, and detainees
- Assists with evaluation and modification of all Sheriff's Office environment health-related policies/procedures and ensures federal, state, and local compliance with OSHA, EPA, and fire codes
Surveillance Coordinator
Chicago Public Schools - OSHW
01.2020 - 07.2020
- Created fact sheets using 2018 Profiles and 2019 YRBS data for dissemination, followed up with principals and teachers regularly to ensure questionnaire completion, and exceeded the completion rate of Principal surveys for 323 schools by 6%
- Assisted sexual health team by conducting an in-depth health policy analysis, led facilitation group discussions for sexual health instructor training and provided sexual health expertise to help sexual health team challenge status quo
- Provided technical support to school staff in completing the questionnaires and communication with Westat by sending tracking data biweekly for overall progress
Lead Project Specialist
Test Positive Aware Network, TPAN
Chicago , IL
02.2017 - 06.2019
- Actively enrolled over 100 black men who have sex with men (MSM) and black women ages 18 - 29 for an evidence based youth program, trained staff on geosocial media training, and established a HCV Testing Partnership with Malcolm X College
- Collaborated with Prevention/Outreach staff to implement outreach strategies and activities that encourages participation in the program and conducted outreach events and education presentations as appropriate to the goals and objectives of the program
- Supervised other outreach specialists through geo-social media trainings, trained in narcan/naloxone administration, prepared syringe exchange supplies/services for walk-in
clients, and conducted HIV/HCV testing, counseling, and referral services in a variety of settings and ensured accurate and timely data collection, entry, and reporting for all program
related client-level data.
Prep Navigator, M-Powerment Group Facilitator
Austin Collaborative Black Caucus (CBC) Initiative
07.2016 - 02.2017
- Facilitated HIV and prep focus groups for black men who have sex with men (MSM), recruited and enrolled over 50 black and Latino MSM for Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) services, and ensured adherence to medication.
- Led educational workshops about safer sex practices such as condom usage and completed quarterly assessments and follow-ups with clients
- Led HIV testing initiatives, counseling, and referrals in and out of Austin Health Center.
HIV Prevention Coordinator (AmeriCorps Member)
Chicago House and Social Service Agency
08.2015 - 07.2016
- Led geo-social media outreach for sexual health services and reached over 500 young men who have sex with men (YMSM), led HIV testing and counseling primarily for LGBTQ+ individuals, and led case management relations related to HIV/AIDS.
- Made referrals for HIV or PrEP care and advocated for safer sex practices
- Supervised apprenticeship program participants through HIV test counseling trainings, led community and street outreach efforts and distributed condoms to high risk groups throughout Chicagoland.
Education
Master's Degree - Public Health
University of Illinois
05.2020
Bachelor's Degree - Biological Sciences
Mississippi State University
05.2015
Associate Degree - Arts
Shelton State Community College
05.2012
Skills
- Proficient in Microsoft (Office, Teams, Outlook)
- Infection control
- Outbreak management
- Data analysis
- Regulatory compliance
- Policy development
- Risk assessment
- Training development
- Team collaboration
- Effective communication
- Problem solving
- Attention to detail
- Stakeholder engagement
- Healthcare education
- Public Health Interventions
- Infectious disease response
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Developing prevention policies
- Written communication
- Relationship building
- Health Data Management
- Motivational Interviewing
- HIV Counseling
- Time Management
- Leadership
Certification
Certified in Infection Control (CIC), CBIC (Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc.), 10/01/23, 12/01/28, 138079
Timeline
Infection Preventionist
Chicago Department of Public Health
04.2023 - Current
Deputy Director of Environmental Services
Cook County Sheriff's Office
12.2020 - 04.2023
Surveillance Coordinator
Chicago Public Schools - OSHW
01.2020 - 07.2020
Lead Project Specialist
Test Positive Aware Network, TPAN
02.2017 - 06.2019
Prep Navigator, M-Powerment Group Facilitator
Austin Collaborative Black Caucus (CBC) Initiative
07.2016 - 02.2017
HIV Prevention Coordinator (AmeriCorps Member)
Chicago House and Social Service Agency
08.2015 - 07.2016
Master's Degree - Public Health
University of Illinois
Bachelor's Degree - Biological Sciences
Mississippi State University
Associate Degree - Arts
Shelton State Community College
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