Texas Health & Human Services Commission San Antonio , TX 78245
Posted 3 days ago
Epidemiologist II
Under supervision of the Healthcare Associate Infection (HAI)/Antimicrobial Resistant (AR) Investigations Group Manager, serves as subject matter expert and performs senior-level epidemiological work related to the reporting, prevention and control of HAI/AR. The HAI/AR Epidemiologist collaborates with other HAI Epidemiologists of the Healthcare Safety Unit, assigned DSHS Public Health Regions (PHRs) and local health departments (LHD). Plans, coordinates and conducts epidemiological surveillance and investigations of HAI/AR.
Conducts infection control assessments in healthcare facilities to evaluate their infection prevention and control (IPC) programs, and provides recommendations on how to mitigate identified gaps. Designs processes for the collection, management, evaluation, and dissemination of data. Develops educational materials and trainings for healthcare facilities and public health departments regarding HAI/AR, IPC recommendations and healthcare outbreak management.
Prepares presentations and technical reports on IPC topics and HAI/AR investigations. Collaborates with internal and external stakeholders at the local, regional and state level on IPC initiatives. Consults with hospital administrators, physicians, state and national organizations and others on the epidemiology of HAI/AR.
Responds to public inquiries regarding HAI/AR. Provides recommendations to Manager on budget, grants, contracts, staffing needs, policies and procedures. May be deployable to PHRs within the state to assist, as needed.
Essential Job Functions:
50% Epidemiologic investigations and facility assessments
Plans, coodinates and conducts epidemiological surveillance projects, infection control assessments, and investigations of HAI/AR infections in healthcare facilities. Investigations could include infectious disease outbreaks, medical product or device contamination, infection control breaches, transplant or tranfusion related infections, bloodborne pathogen exposures, and outbreaks related to healthcare facility environment.
Coordinates investigations and reporting of AR organisms with healthcare facilities, local and regional health departments, CDC, and other internal and external stakeholders. Reviews medical records and abstracts relevant information. Coordinates provision of epidemiological and laboratory resources to support investigations.
Provides epidemiologic consultation to infection preventionists, public health department epidemiologists, medical professionals, and other stakeholders. Communicates investigation findings and recommendations to relevant stakeholders. Develops, reviews and updates HAI and AR investigation guidelines and resources. Conducts data entry and ensures accuracy, precision, completeness, timeliness, and fidelity of data collected during epidemiological investigations and data entered into the National Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NEDSS). Provides assistance to other epidemiologists within the state, as needed.
30% Leadership and education
Helps achieve the HAI/AR Investigations Group's goals and objectives. Serves as a HAI/AR subject matter expert.
Mentors and trains local and regional health department epidemiologists, infection preventionists, interns, fellows and other HAI/AR Epidemiologists. Assists with the HAI/AR Investigations Group's grants, including writing work plans, making recommendations for budgets, carrying out and tracking activities, and reporting milestones and performance measures. Manages projects and helps prioritize tasks to ensure their timely completion.
Hosts and attends meetings with internal and external stakeholders to provide updates about IPC topics and HAI/AR investigations. Develops and provides educational materials and trainings for healthcare facilities, public health departments, general public and other partners. Provides recommendations to Manager on contracts, staffing needs, policies and procedures.
15% Communication
Prepares and disseminates information to internal and external stakeholders regarding IPC topics and HAI/AR reporting, prevention, and control, including health advisories. Prepares abstracts for manuscript submission or presentation at professional organization meetings and conferences. As requested by DSHS leadership, responds to legislative requests and inquiries from the DSHS Press Office.
5% Other Duties as Assigned
Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location
Knowledge Skills Abilities:
Knowledge of epidemiology and biostatistics
Knowledge of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and other infectious diseases
Knowledge of infection prevention and control (IPC) strategies
Knowledge of healthcare risk management and quality improvement
Knowledge of disease surveillance of HAIs and antimicrobial resistance (AR)
Knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations related to notifiable conditions and HAI
Skills in using Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
Skills in using National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN)
Skill in the use of the National Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NEDSS) or other comparable surveillance system
Skills in preparing written reports
Skills in creating effective technical documents
Skills in managing large databases
Ability to conduct epidemiological surveillance
Ability to collect, analyze and interpret data
Ability to make recommendations based on data analysis results
Ability to assess compliance with IPC standards
Ability to make recommendations based on IPC assessment findings
Ability to present statistical and technical data
Ability to communicate effectively
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
Ability to work with public health and healthcare professionals
Ability to inform and educate stakeholders on IPC strategies
Ability to use computers to organize and maintain records and files
Ability to interpret laboratory findings and medical records
Ability to interpret state laws and rules of the State of Texas
Registration or Licensure Requirements:
Certification in Infection Control (CIC) strongly preferred.
If not CIC-certified, must obtain the associate
Initial Selection Criteria:
Master's degree (MPH, MS, MSN), Doctorate degree (PhD., DSc., DNP., DrPH., ScD., DMSc.), or professional certification or licensure (RN, MT[ASCP], PA, MBBS, MD, DO)
AND
At least 2 years of relevant experience (e.g., infection prevention and control, infectious disease epidemiology, public health epidemiology surveillance, data analysis, or microbiology).
Additional Information:
MOS Code:
68S, 60C, HM, 230X, 4E0X1, 43HX, 43MX, 43EX
HHS agencies use E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.
I-9 Form
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.
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