Information on Epidemiologist III Positions in Houston and Arlington

Initial screening criteria

Master’s degree in public health and 4 or more years’ work experience in health care infection prevention and/or health care quality management and improvement and certified in infection control (CIC) or certified professional in healthcare quality (CPHQ). OR Doctoral-level epidemiologist and at least 2 years’ work experience in health care infection prevention and/or health care quality management and improvement and certified in infection control (CIC) or certified professional in healthcare quality (CPHQ) OR Other nonepidemiology professional degree or certification [e.g., RN, MD, MT(ASCP)] and at least 4 years’ work experience in health care infection prevention and/or health care quality management and improvement and certified in infection control (CIC) or certified professional in healthcare quality (CPHQ)

Job Description Under the direct supervision of the Emerging and Acute Infectious Disease Branch manager,leads team epidemiological activities related to reporting and prevention of health care associated infections (HAI) and preventable adverse events (PAE) in designated health service regions (HSR). Initiates,plans,develops,and directs surveillance and epidemiological investigations or studies. Implements HAI/PAE reporting. Collects, manages, evaluates,and disseminates data for investigations of clusters or outbreaks of HAI/PAE. Develops educational materials for health care facility staff on implementation HAI/PAE reporting and prevention. Develops recommendations to management on budget, grants, contracts, staffing needs, policies and procedures related to implementation and maintenance of HAI/PAE reporting. Prepares and presents speeches, reports, and briefings on HAI/PAE reporting, prevention, and investigations to HSR administration, professional organizations, and health care facility administration. Provides epidemiological information to the general public and DSHS press officer. Consults with hospital administrators, physicians, state and national organizations, regional health departments, state agencies, and healthcare facilities on issues and strategies related to infection prevention. Serves as the senior subject matter expert and team lead for HAI/PAE related epidemiologic issues for designated HSRs. Plans and assigns the work of one Public Health & Prevention Specialist IV; interacts with central office HAI/PAE program staff. Duties performed with minimal supervision and with considerable latitude for use of initiative and independent judgment.

60% Epidemiologic investigations and studies Plans, directs, conducts, and participates in epidemiological studies, surveillance projects, and investigations of infectious diseases with emphasis on infections and preventable adverse events in health care facilities. Leads field investigations of outbreaks in hospitals, clinics, dialysis centers, burn institutes, and nursing homes. Coordinates investigations with regional and local health department staff, and/or health care facility staff when necessary. Assembles appropriate epidemiological and laboratory resources to address disease outbreak investigations. Abstracts and interprets medical information. Assures appropriate communication and dissemination of study findings and recommendations. Provides epidemiologic consultations to medical and public health professionals, infection prevention professionals, other DSHS programs, and agencies on issues of disease reporting, investigation, and prevention (eg, isolation precautions) in health care facilities. Interprets agency policies (rules and regulations) to medical and public health professionals, infection prevention professionals, and agencies. Reviews, revises, and evaluates policies, procedures, and guidelines for reporting and prevention of HAI/PAE. Develops recommendations to management on data validation processes and procedures.

20% Leadership and education Assesses health care facility training needs and makes recommendations for training. Conducts training on the epidemiology, prevention, and reporting of HAI/PAE. Serves as a HAI and PAE reporting subject matter expert with infection prevention community in designated HSRs. Participates in the screening, interviewing, and selection process for other HAI and PAE team members. Assists the supervisor with establishing priorities for the HAI/PAE program and implements them. Assesses health care facility training needs and makes recommendations for training. Assists regional HAI/PAE PH&PS IV and other HAI/PAE program staff with complex issues and/or situations. Attends and provides input at meetings pertaining to work assignment.

15% Oral and Written communication Develops educational materials for public health professionals and the general public. Prepares and disseminates HAI/PAE prevention and reporting information to the medical and public health communities and the DSHS press officer. Prepares written manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals and other publications. Prepares and conducts oral presentations.

(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, and Abilities

Knowledge of the advanced principles and methods of epidemiology and related biostatistics Knowledge of infectious disease epidemiology, signs, symptoms, and laboratory findings Knowledge of the natural history of common infectious diseases Knowledge of organisms which cause infectious diseases Knowledge of infection prevention practices and measures Knowledge of health care risk management Knowledge of implementation of policies, procedures and state and federal laws and regulations

Ability to collect and analyze statistical/epidemiologic data and make recommendations Ability to present statistical and technical data in a clear and concise format Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing Ability to work as a team member to work effectively with regional and local health department personnel, private practice physicians, hospital staffs, the media, and the general public Ability to utilize computers and to organize and maintain complex records and files Ability to interpret laboratory findings, physical signs/symptoms, and information on medical charts

Skills in utilizing Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Monthly salary range: $4,458.50 to 7,133.58

To apply http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/Search-Jobs.aspx Click on Texas Health and Human Services Jobs Type in keywords “epidemiologist” Select “Epidemiologist III’ for the location of your choice