Antimicrobial Stewardship and Resistance Program Specialist V

Texas Health & Human Services Commission•Austin, TX

5d•$4,523 - $5,889•Hybrid

About The Position

The Program Specialist V performs advanced consultative services and technical assistance for the daily operations of the Healthcare Safety Unit (HSU), under the direction of the Data and Training Group Manager. The role plans, develops, and implements major agency programs and supports program staff, government agencies, community organizations, and the public. It works under limited supervision with considerable latitude to use initiative and independent judgment to integrate and streamline HSU processes and activities, and may provide direction to others as a lead worker. The position leads completion of federal grant milestones and complex Antimicrobial Stewardship initiatives. It serves as a Healthcare Safety program liaison and subject matter expert, recruits and enrolls healthcare facilities for grant-related projects, develops educational and communication materials for prescribers, staff, residents, and families, and publishes current best-practice guidelines and tools for healthcare facilities across Texas. It also leads efforts to identify and engage antibiotic stewards, clinicians, facilities, and health systems needing support to improve implementation of CDC antibiotic stewardship Core Elements in different healthcare settings. The role also represents HSU on budget, policy, planning, legislation, and administrative operations; supports grant applications, budgets, deliverables, and reporting; coordinates with department staff and stakeholders; evaluates program compliance; and prepares administrative, performance, research, and legislative reports. The position is required to work in person at the Austin office on a hybrid schedule, alternating between three office/two home days and two office/three home days. Travel is up to 10%.

Requirements

At least 2 years of relevant healthcare or public health experience, a relevant bachelor’s degree (such as public health, science, or health promotion), and infectious disease professional experience; alternatively, at least 1 year of relevant healthcare or public health experience, a relevant master’s degree, and infectious disease professional experience.
If not CIC-certified, obtain the Associate - Infection and Control (a-IPC) certification within 6 months of hire and CIC certification within 15 months of hire.
Ability to work effectively with internal and external stakeholders and develop collaborations with public health-related colleagues.
Attention to detail.
Knowledge of budgets and state finances.
Knowledge of measuring, implementing, and assessing grant deliverables and milestones.
Knowledge of public health, epidemiology, healthcare-associated infections (HAI), PAE, and/or infectious diseases.
Knowledge of implementing policies and procedures and applying state and federal laws and regulations.
Ability to plan and direct programs and communicate effectively.
Ability to collect and analyze statistical or epidemiologic data and make recommendations based on findings.
Ability to present statistical and technical data clearly and concisely.
Ability to work effectively with state, regional, and local health department personnel and private-sector healthcare professionals.
Ability to communicate with the media and the public.
Ability to use computers to organize and maintain complex records and files.
Ability to establish measurable, well-defined goals and objectives; think creatively; and support creative thinking in others.
Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships and work through conflict.
Ability to lead teams, train others, and delegate effectively.
Ability to manage time, prioritize assignments, and handle time-sensitive, high-visibility work.
Ability to interpret data, develop effective operating procedures and presentations, organize and present information orally and in writing, and comprehensively and accurately evaluate reports.
Skills using Word, Excel for data analysis, and PowerPoint.
Skill in implementing healthcare quality improvement and management.
Ability to work in person at the 1100 W. 49th Street, Austin, Texas office on the stated hybrid schedule.

Nice To Haves

Certification in Infection Control (CIC) is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead implementation and ongoing management of complex Antimicrobial Stewardship program initiatives and coordinate related projects tied to grant milestones.
Serve as an HSU liaison and Antimicrobial Stewardship subject matter expert, explaining program requirements and providing technical assistance to staff, government agencies, community organizations, and the public.
Coordinate development and monitoring of federal grant applications for new and ongoing programs, monitor assigned contracts, and implement new legislation for HSU.
Represent HSU and provide guidance on budgets, including federal grant budgets, policy, planning, legislation, and administrative operations.
Prepare and evaluate program budget requests; participate in grant application composition, review, and evaluation; and report on grant deliverables and milestones.
Make program data and information available to executive staff to support policy decisions.
Work with Healthcare Safety Unit staff on program projects, including creation and maintenance of the Healthcare Safety web page.
Evaluate compliance with program policies and procedures, statutes, and rules.
Speak to community and professional groups to coordinate, improve, and stimulate interest in programs and secure support.
Coordinate and communicate with department staff and stakeholders on grant milestone projects and communicate with legislative liaisons, advocates, and others about legislation affecting the unit.
Participate directly in Antimicrobial Stewardship project activities and outreach.
Complete and monitor administrative and performance reports, studies, and specialized projects, and recommend program changes.
Oversee and collaborate with the team on responses to program-information requests, specialized research projects or studies, and administrative or legislative reports.
Provide high-level advice and counsel by interpreting program policies, procedures, rules, regulations, and standards.
Recruit and enroll healthcare facilities from designated cities and counties for grant-milestone projects; develop educational and communication materials; and publish current best-practice guidelines and tools.
Lead grant-milestone efforts to identify and engage antibiotic stewards, clinicians, facilities, or health systems needing additional support to implement CDC antibiotic stewardship Core Elements.
Participate in a supporting role in disaster response or recovery and Continuity of Operations activation when assigned; this may require an alternate shift pattern or work location.
Collect, organize, analyze, and/or prepare materials in response to program-information and reporting requests, and perform related work as assigned.