Epidemiologist I

Texas Health & Human Services Commission • Austin, TX

6d • $4,900 - $4,900 • Hybrid

About The Position

Under the direction and supervision of the HIV Epidemiology and Surveillance Group Manager, performs advanced level epidemiological work within the HIV/STD/HCV Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit. Develops and performs data quality checks and processes to ensure the completeness and accuracy of the HIV data. Works closely with local and regional surveillance sites providing technical assistance and monitoring performance to ensure timeliness, consistency and accuracy of HIV reporting and data collection. Performs statistical analyses using advanced statistical software, interprets results, and writes articles, reports and sections of grant proposals related to HIV epidemiology and surveillance. Uses SAS, Access, Enhanced HIV/AIDS/Reporting System (eHARS), The TB, HIV, STD Integrated System (THISIS) and various other software applications or databases to manage and analyze data. Contributes to epidemiologic reports disseminated to the DSHS and the public, public health and medical communities.

Requirements

• Knowledge of the principles of epidemiology
• Knowledge of the principles of evaluation of surveillance, prevention, or health-related services programs.
• Knowledge of research design, research methods, and sampling
• Knowledge of survey design and administration
• Knowledge of the principles of descriptive and analytical statistics
• Knowledge of grammar, syntax, spelling, punctuation, usage, and style.
• Knowledge of scientific and technical writing.
• Knowledge of the principles of disease surveillance.
• Knowledge of the principles of grant-writing
• Knowledge of infectious diseases
• Skills in using software for Internet browsing and E-mail
• Skills in using spreadsheets (Quattro, Excel or Lotus)
• Skills in using SPSS for Windows
• Skills in using software for report writing (WordPerfect or Word).
• Skills in using software for graphic presentations (Harvard, Corel, or Power Point)
• Ability to acquire in-depth knowledge of the medical and epidemiologic aspects sexually transmitted diseases.
• Ability to learn to use STDMIS and Access software.
• Ability to work effectively as a team with diverse personnel, groups, and organizations.
• Ability to manage research projects involving multiple organizations and personnel.
• Ability to participate in group decision-making concerning research design, methods, and protocol.
• Graduation from a four-year college or university with major course work in social science, computer science, statistical analysis, behavioral science or biostatistics.

Nice To Haves

• Master level degree in public health, epidemiology, biostatistics, social science, or statistical analysis preferred.
• One year experience in applicable public health programs such as chronic or infectious disease preferred.
• Experience with programming in statistical software and familiarity with SAS preferred.
• Experience with survey development, data collection, statistical analyses, and data dissemination processes.
• Experience with writing and reviewing statistical reports and making presentations preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conducts reviews of alternate record systems (e.g. medication program, death/birth certificates, other disease registries, etc.) to identify unreported cases, ensure data integrity, and control data redundancy and integrity. Disseminates information to the appropriate local and regional surveillance sites. Monitors and evaluates the HIV data systems for quality and completeness of case reporting. Performs data cleaning in eHARS/THISIS and other databases as needed. Evaluates and prepares reports on the effectiveness of program activities, and makes recommendations for improvement and/or training for satellite surveillance sites and personnel. Adheres to security and confidentiality policies and procedures at all times. (25%)
• Provides technical assistance to satellite HIV programs and central office surveillance and local registry staff to promote and support active surveillance activities. Assistance can include but is not limited to, application of new Center for Disease Control (CDC) or state reporting guidelines, remotely checking the HIV data systems and/or contact other state data systems to ascertain the status of a reported or unreported case documentation, help with generating reports from the TB/HIV/STD data systems, provide copies of confidential source documents, and provide feedback on program effectiveness. (25%)
• Working in concert with surveillance program staff, designs surveillance program tracking and quality assurance measures for HIV reporting in THISIS. Assists in the design of workflows, reports, and other THISIS system tools to gauge the level of compliance of contracted and partner surveillance sites with DSHS guidelines. Writes statistical programs to produce reports intended to give central office and contract surveillance sites feedback on performance of the surveillance system. Creates files for analysis as needed. (20%)
• Using appropriate epidemiologic methods, relevant software applications, spreadsheets, database programs, and other allied statistical software, consolidates and analyzes HIV/AIDS surveillance data, and other morbidity, and demographic data to produce evaluation study reports, epidemiologic reports, articles, grant proposals, progress reports, and data requests related to the evaluation of HIV reporting. Contributes written epidemiologic interpretations of data to be used in profiles, evaluation study reports, and other Surveillance and Epidemiology quarterly and annual reports for the general public and for public health and medical communities. Prepares data for analysis in responding to federal grant objectives. (10%)
• Maintains and updates procedure and training manuals and case report forms for case reporting for HIV, STD and TB surveillance activities. Also provides training as necessary related to case reporting and data entry. (10%)
• Researches and evaluates new sources of information in order to develop long-range comprehensive program goals and strategies. Participates in the management of epidemiological data gathering and analysis and the resulting recommendations for disease control. Participate on special projects for the HIV/STD Surveillance Unit. (5%)
• Other HIV/STD epidemiologic and agency related duties as assigned. In the event of a regional or state wide disaster, all staff will participate, assist, and support all regional and/or state wide disaster relief efforts. Responds to and supports regional/statewide disaster relief efforts. (5%)

Benefits

• Insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level