Immunization Medical Exemption and Surveillance Specialist, Bureau of Immunization

City of New York • Long Island City, NY

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Bureau of Immunization (BOI) aims to prevent vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) through comprehensive immunization programs, promoting lifelong vaccination, addressing disparities, and responding to outbreaks. The BOI School Compliance Unit (SCU) ensures children in childcare and schools meet vaccination requirements. The BOI Surveillance Unit monitors diseases like measles, mumps, and pertussis, manages surveillance data, and assesses vaccine impacts. The Immunization Medical Exemption and Surveillance Specialist will support both SCU and the Surveillance Unit, reporting to the Director of Epidemiology and Surveillance. This role involves reviewing medical exemption requests for immunizations for children in childcare and schools, determining their validity based on national guidance, and assisting in emergency and outbreak responses for VPDs. Responsibilities include acting as a medical liaison for exposure sites, providing guidance on contact identification, immunity assessments, and post-exposure prophylaxis, coordinating referrals, and relaying clinical updates and test results. The specialist will also participate in other BOI and DOHMH activities, such as the Doctor-of-the-Week rotation and the Doctor-on-Call program.

Requirements

• Possession of a valid license to practice medicine in the State of New York.
• Valid Board Certification issued by the appropriate American Specialty Board in any specialty area required by the agency; or Current approved application on file for admission to the certifying examination given by the appropriate American Specialty Board in any specialty area required by the agency.
• One year of satisfactory experience practicing in the specialty area (to be assigned to Assignment Level II).
• A Master's degree in Public Health, or equivalent Master's degree, including or supplemented by graduate credits in epidemiology and biostatistics; OR Completion of Epidemic Intelligence Service program of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (to be assigned to Assignment Level III).
• At least two years of satisfactory experience after receipt of the Master's degree, or equivalent, in the practice of epidemiology (to be assigned to Assignment Level III).
• Specialty Board Certification or eligibility may be substituted for one year of this experience (for Assignment Level III).
• Completion of an approved residency program in an accredited hospital, including three years of experience, in either internal medicine, or family practice, or pediatrics, or another related specialty area required by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (to be assigned to Assignment Level IV).
• Valid board certification or board eligibility issued by the appropriate American Subspecialty Board in Infectious Disease, Pulmonary Medicine, or a related subspecialty (for Assignment Level IV).
• Completion of an approved fellowship program in an accredited hospital, including two years of experience, in either infectious diseases, or pulmonary medicine, or another related subspecialty required by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (for Assignment Level IV).

Responsibilities

• Receive and review medical exemption requests to immunizations including any accompanying medical documentation.
• Determine the validity of the medical exemption requests through discussion with the submitting physician, BOI physicians and external consultants as needed.
• Enter exemption request data and use the data entry system to describe trends in medical exemption requests and the submitting physicians.
• Draft written guidance to medical providers and schools regarding immunization exemptions.
• Serve as a medical liaison to sites of exposures for vaccine preventable diseases to provide guidance on contact identification and notification immunity assessments, and control measures.
• Collaborate with medical providers for high-risk contacts to determine need for PEP based on the contacts’ medical conditions.
• Coordinate referrals for titers for assessment of serologic immunity for vaccine preventable diseases and referrals to healthcare facilities for PEP for people exposed in community settings.
• Document updates in the surveillance database, Maven.
• Assist in other aspects of outbreak responses, as needed.
• Participate in BOI activities, such as the Doctor-of-the-Week rotation.
• Participate in additional DOHMH activities, such as the Doctor-on-Call program and emergency response activities.

Benefits

• Federal/state loan forgiveness and repayment assistance programs
• Premium-free health insurance plan
• Additional health, fitness, and financial benefits may be available based on the position’s associated union/benefit fund.
• Public sector defined benefit pension plan
• Tax-deferred savings program
• Robust Worksite Wellness Program

What This Job Offers

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