Download Information on Epidemiologist III Positions in Houston and Arlington

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