NBS Health Informatics Specialist

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Austin, TX

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

Performs highly complex (senior-level) health informatics work, data analysis and data research on Electronic Lab Reporting (ELR) and Electronic Initial Case Reporting (eICR) to the Texas National Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NEDSS) Based System (NBS). Work involves conducting detailed analysis of and extensive research on ELR and eICR data, providing results, and monitoring and implementing data quality to ensure valid test results data is submitted. Provides guidance to others. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Knowledge of reportable disease/health-related information systems; and of SAS, SQL, HL7 messaging and interfaces.
• Knowledge of statistics and analyzing data sets, running queries, report writing, and presenting findings.
• Knowledge of data models, database design development, data mining, and segmentation techniques.
• Knowledge of record keeping, including security procedures for handling, protecting, and distributing confidential data.
• Knowledge of epidemiology, medical or public health informatics, and disease surveillance.
• Skill in analyzing problems and devising effective solutions.
• Skill in conducting data searches, in evaluating and translating large amounts of data.
• Skill in critical thinking for problem-solving.
• Skill in multitasking priorities.
• Ability to compile, review, and analyze data.
• Ability to prepare reports, to maintain accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to lead, mentor, and provide guidance to other staff.
• Ability to gather information from a variety of sources and synthesize and translate detailed information into simpler terms.
• Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely orally and in writing.
• Ability to develop and effectively deliver training and technical assistance about research/data methods, procedures, or policies.
• Ability to plan, organize and conduct assigned phases of complex research projects.
• Ability to interpret complex statistical data, charts, and tables
• Ability to develop and analyze measuring instruments with respect to reliability, relevance, and validity.
• Ability to formulate reasonable hypotheses and structure research designs to account for variables.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and work with others as part of a team.
• MPH with two (2) years of experience in applied public health.
• Experience with electronic data exchange nomenclature (e.g., HL7, LOINC, SNOMED-CT).
• Experience with relational databases in manipulating, analyzing and visualizing data sets.
• Experience using analytic software SAS.
• Experience with SQL language. Preferred.

Responsibilities

• Analyzes ELR and eICR data using standard statistical tools (such as SAS), methods, and techniques. Compiles and queries ELR and eICR data. Identifies data gaps, errors, anomalies, inconsistencies, and redundancies by analyzing the content, structure, and relationships with data. Interprets results to identify significant differences in lab or eICR data. Identifies and interprets data patterns and trends and assesses data quality. Cleans and prunes data to discard irrelevant information. Performs quality assurance and serves as subject matter expert on data integrity, extraction, and compilation. Conducts data integration (e.g., matching/merging records across complex data sources).
• Performs onboarding activities, including screening, validation, and training for eligible hospitals and laboratories seeking to report to local and regional health departments via Texas NEDSS. Performs review and analyses of raw HL7 messages to identify data validity issues. Serves as subject matter expert on correct application of LOINC and SNOMED to ELR messages. Performs consultative work to convey detailed error analyses to submitters.
• Consults with internal program areas within DSHS (Lab, Blood Lead Team, Cancer Registry, HIV/STD, and Emerging and Acute Infectious Disease), and external customers such as private and commercial laboratories, hospitals, and physician’s offices to identify user needs. Prepares concise, comprehensive technical reports to present and interpret data, identify alternatives, and make and justify recommendations on data revisions.
• Assists NBS technical team in defining, developing, and implementing data standards for accurate electronic data submission. Assists NBS Systems Analysts and NBS epidemiologists in developing data quality measures, analyzing data quality results, and implementing necessary changes to ensure ELR data quality improvement. Assists in developing software applications or programming within NBS to use for statistical modeling and graphic analysis on ELR data and lab testing. Contributes to maintaining updated Texas ELR Onboarding Guidelines, Texas ELR Implementation Guidelines, and Texas eICR Onboarding Guidelines.
• Develops and implements databases, data collection systems, data analytics, and other strategies that optimize statistical efficiency and quality.
• Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligation for disaster response and/or recovery of Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternative 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