Healthcare-Associated Infection (HAI) Epidemiologist III

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS•Houston, TX

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

DSHS is committed to hiring skilled and dedicated individuals who share a passion for public health to pursue our vision of A Healthy Texas. If you are looking to make an impact and tackle new challenges, we encourage you to consider a career with us. Employee 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). To learn more about all the benefits available to you as a DSHS employee and other DSHS opportunities for early career pathways, visit the DSHS Careers Page. Review our Top 10 Tips for Success when Applying to State of Texas Jobs. Brief Job Description: Under supervision of the Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI)/ Antimicrobial Resistance (AR) Epidemiology Manager, serves as subject matter expert and performs senior-level epidemiological work related to the reporting, prevention and control of HAIs and antimicrobial resistance (AR) for designated Public Health Region(s) (PHR). Works in collaboration with other epidemiologists of the Healthcare Safety Unit and assigned PHR(s). Initiates, plans, conducts, and oversees epidemiological surveillance and investigations of HAI/AR. Conducts infection control assessments in healthcare facilities to evaluate their infection prevention and control (IPC) programs, and provide recommendations on how to mitigate identified gaps. Designs processes for the collection, management, evaluation, and dissemination of data. Develops educational materials and trainings for healthcare facilities and public health departments regarding infectious diseases, IPC recommendations and healthcare outbreak management. Prepares presentations and technical reports on IPC topics and HAI/AR investigations. Collaborates with internal and external stakeholders at the local, regional, and state level on IPC initiatives. Consults with hospital administrators, physicians, state and national organizations and others on the epidemiology of HAI/AR. Responds to public inquiries regarding HAI/AR. Develops recommendations to Manager on budget, grants, contracts, staffing needs, policies and procedures, legislative tasks, as needed. HAI Epidemiologist will be deployable to other PHRs within the state to assist, as needed, and with minimal advanced warning.

Requirements

Knowledge of epidemiology and biostatistics
Knowledge of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and other infectious diseases
Knowledge of infection prevention and control (IPC) strategies
Knowledge of healthcare risk management and quality improvement
Knowledge of disease surveillance of HAIs and antimicrobial resistance (AR)
Knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations related to notifiable conditions and HAI
Skills in using Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
Skills in using National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN)
Skills in preparing written reports
Skills in creating effective technical documents
Skills in managing large databases
Skills in creating an epidmiological curve
Ability to conduct epidemiological surveillance
Ability to collect, analyze and interpret biostatistical data
Ability to make recommendations based on data analysis results
Ability to assess compliance with IPC standards
Ability to make recommendations based on IPC assessment findings
Ability to present statistical and technical data
Ability to communicate effectively
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
Ability to work with public health and healthcare professionals
Ability to inform and educate stakeholders on IPC strategies
Ability to use computers to organize and maintain records and files
Ability to interpret laboratory findings and medical records
Ability to interpret state laws and rules of the State of Texas
Master’s degree (MPH, MS, MSN), Doctorate degree (PhD., DSc., DNP., DrPH., ScD., DMSc.), or professional certification or licensure (RN, MT[ASCP], PA, MBBS, MD, DO)
At least 3 years of relevant experience (e.g., infection prevention and control, infectious disease epidemiology, public health epidemiology surveillance, data analysis, or microbiology).

Nice To Haves

Certification in Infection Control (CIC) strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Initiates, plans, conducts and oversees epidemiological surveillance projects, infection control assessments, and investigations of HAI/AR infections in healthcare facilities.
Coordinates investigations with healthcare facilities, local and regional health departments, CDC, and other internal and external stakeholders.
Reviews medical records and abstracts relevant information.
Coordinates provision of epidemiological and laboratory resources to support investigations.
Provides epidemiologic consultation to infection preventionists, public health department epidemiologists, medical professionals, and other stakeholders.
Independently performs case adjudication, and collects, analyzes, and interprets biostatistics and epidemiological data using significance values (e.g., p-values) and variability metrics (e.g., SE, SD, CI).
Communicates investigation findings and recommendations to relevant stakeholders.
Develops, reviews and updates HAI and AR investigation guidelines and resources.
Provides assistance and/or mentorship to other epidemiologists within the state, as needed.
Helps achieve the HAI Investigations Groups' goals and objectives.
Serves as HAI/AR subject matter expert for designated Public Health Region (PHR).
Mentors and trains local and regional health department epidemiologists, infection preventionists, interns, fellows and other HAI Epidemiologists.
Assists with the HAI Investigations Group grants, including writing work plans, making recommendations for budgets, carrying out and tracking activities, and reporting milestones and performance measures.
Manages projects and helps prioritize tasks to ensure their timely completion.
Hosts and attends meetings with internal and external stakeholders to provide updates about IPC topics and HAI/AR investigations.
Develops and provides educational materials and trainings for healthcare facilities, public health departments, general public and other partners.
Develops recommendations to Manager on contracts, staffing needs, policies and procedures.
Participates in the interviews and selection process for other team members.
Serves as a Team Lead/Delegate for specific Unit responsibilities and/or subject expertise, and may be required to provide coverage for colleagues and/or Epidemiologist IV when needed.
Prepares and disseminates information to internal and external stakeholders regarding IPC topics and HAI/AR reporting, prevention, and control, including health advisories.
Prepares abstracts for manuscript submission or presentation at professional organization meetings and conferences.
As requested by DSHS leadership, responds to legislative requests and inquiries from the DSHS Press Office.
Communicates with CDC and attends CDC or other high-level HAI/AR meetings as HAI/AR expert.
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.

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).

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