Epidemiologist II

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Austin, TX

3d • Onsite

About The Position

With direction from the Epidemiology team lead, performs advanced (senior-level) investigative and consultative epidemiological work in the Immunization Section related to vaccine preventable diseases (VPD) under the supervision of the Assessment and Compliance Group Manager. Collects and analyzes, interprets, and distributes epidemiological data on vaccines in Texas. May supervise the work of others in data collection. Provides telephonic and electronic technical consultation to public health professionals, healthcare providers, and the public on the use of vaccine prophylaxis and may assist these partners acquiring vaccine in any VPD outbreak response. Prepares public health information, training materials, and investigative tools for VPD surveillance and investigation. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgement.

Requirements

• Knowledge of the principles and methods of epidemiology and related biostatistics
• Knowledge of vaccine preventable diseases (VPD)
• Knowledge of vaccines and related schedules
• Knowledge of infection control methods during a VPD outbreak
• Ability to report on vaccination use during a VPD outbreak
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Ability to apply the principles and methods of epidemiology as related to investigation of infectious disease outbreaks, especially vaccine preventable diseases
• Ability to build and manage databases
• Ability to design and implement systems necessary to collect, maintain, and analyze data
• Ability to work collaboratively on a team
• Ability to work effectively with regional and local health department personnel
• Ability to provide operational guidance and leadership to field staff
• Ability to achieve grant deliverables
• Ability to manage projects and facilitate trainings
• Ability to train other in procedures to request vaccines for VPS outbreak control
• Skill in the use of Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Access, and statistical software
• Skill in the use of visualization software, e.g., Tableau or ArcGIS
• A master’s degree with a focus in epidemiology or biostatistics and 2 or more years of work experience in epidemiology in a public health agencyOR
• An undergraduate degree in public health, biostatistics, or biological sciences supplemented with 4 or more years of epidemiology or infectious disease investigation work experience in a public health agency

Responsibilities

• Assist in epidemiologic investigations: Participates in VPD outbreak investigations by coordinating vaccine administration data collection with local and regional health department partners, designing and modifying report forms, coordinating shipping of vaccines, performing data analysis using statistical programs, and assisting with recommendations for control measures. Analyzes and interprets vaccine data, including during outbreaks. Creates, maintains, and distributes databases using applications such as Excel, Access and SAS.
• Report generation activities: Creates reports, executive summaries, and situation reports as directed by the epidemiology team lead; ensures data quality. Assists in establishing and implementing activities to improve reporting of vaccination rates. Retrieves data from the agency’s immunization information system (ImmTrac2) and works with other groups in the section or CDC to collect the data needed for assigned reports. Disseminates data reports to internal and external partners.
• Leadership: Serves as a liaison to the epidemiologists on the VPD team within the Emerging and Acute Infectious Disease Unit (EAIDU). Coordinates with local and regional health department partners on inter-jurisdictional vaccine requests. May serve as a point of contact with CDC for VPD outbreak vaccine and Immunoglobulin (IG) requests. Recommends measures for prevention and control of VPD outbreaks. Working with section staff, develops protocols, procedures, and training materials related to outbreak related vaccine and IG requests. Participates in training regional and local staff in vaccine and IG requests.
• Communication: May prepare and give oral presentations on epidemiological vaccine data for professional and lay audiences. Assists in the development of vaccine fact sheets, pamphlets, and brochures with the intervention team in the Assessment Compliance Group. May assist in preparing articles for publication in journals. Prepares or assists in preparing vaccine data for posting to the web. Reviews scientific literature as appropriate. Listens to assigned webinars and call, taking turns with the other epidemiologists on the team taking detailed notes for section leadership as assigned.
• Other Duties as Assigned: Performs related duties as assigned by supervisor, which may 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.

Benefits

• DSHS offers 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: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees