Program Specialist V

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Austin, TX

5d • $4,523 - $5,889 • Hybrid

About The Position

Under the limited supervision of the Analytics Group Manager, the Program Specialist V uses knowledge to independently perform highly complex disease database management. Provides complex and advanced oversight of sexually transmitted disease (STD) data in the HIV/STD Integrated System (THISIS). This includes effective, secure, and efficient storage, retrieval, and archiving of information from multiple program sites into the THISIS system, which includes local and regional health departments across the state. Provides programmatic and technical assistance to the THISIS users located at each of the remote sites statewide. Develops and implements procedures, standards and policies relating to the operations and design of THISIS and its STD components. Performs site reviews statewide of STD surveillance sites, this includes local and regional health departments. Assists in establishing goals and objectives for the statewide STD surveillance program (THISIS) and monitors progress toward those goals and objectives. Works under limited supervision, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgement.

Requirements

• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of public health
• Knowledge of laws, rules and regulations related to disease reporting and surveillance activities
• Knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases
• Knowledge of disease control and reporting, in particular HIV/STD disease control and reporting
• Knowledge of HIV/STD laboratory reports
• Knowledge of data collection, security practices, and statistics used in the health field
• Skill in preparing effective oral and written communication, reports and correspondence
• Skill in data management and analysis
• Skill in identifying measures or indicators of program performance
• Skill in operating computers and applicable software
• Ability to prepare comprehensive and accurate reports
• Ability to use complex computer software and hardware and learn all relevant data systems
• Ability to use integrated database systems for disease surveillance
• Ability to manipulate data in a database and manage databases
• Ability to resolve data entry and retrieval problems
• Ability to use statistical software packages to analyze large datasets
• Ability to keep and maintain strict confidential information
• Ability to process information and perform mathematical calculations
• Ability to retrieve and extract data from medical charts and data
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with professional personnel and the public
• Ability to gather, correlate, and analyze facts and perform complex problem solving
• Ability to work effectively with others, as well as independently
• Ability to adapt to a changing work environment
• Ability to be an effective team member in identifying and resolving problematic issues
• Ability to maintain and/or monitor tracking systems
• Ability to develop, interpret, and follow branch, section, and agency policies and procedures
• Ability to train and provide technical assistance to others
• Ability to manage and consolidate information
• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments

Nice To Haves

• A master’s degree or higher is preferred.
• College level education and work experience may substitute for each other, for up to four years.

Responsibilities

• Performs THISIS quality assurance activities, including data cleanup, workflow management, person and event deduplication, and data analysis.
• Conducts weekly transmission to the CDC and works with CDC to resolve any identified errors.
• Runs routine quality assurance reports and corrects case data and patient records as necessary.
• Participates in development activities for STD products and performs user acceptance testing activities.
• Provides feedback on question packages, workflows, report development and process changes for THISIS implementation.
• Provides 2nd-Tier support by troubleshooting issues with STD modules, providing guidance to end users, forwarding unresolved concerns to the THISIS administrators, and logging defects in Jira.
• Provides technical assistance on THISIS, eHARS lookup file, ELR imports, and other programs such as WinZip, Citrix, and networking issues by phone or email.
• Develops technical assistance procedures and instructions.
• As an STD Surveillance subject matter expert, assists with trainings on specific functions in THISIS.
• Conducts scheduled HIV/STD program site reviews.
• Identifies and communicates concerns about site performance and data quality.
• Provides feedback to sites on ways to resolve issues and improve outcomes.
• As an STD surveillance subject matter expert, works with staff and vendor to create specifications for native STD reports in THISIS.
• Generates reports in THISIS based on a required schedule or as-needed.
• Develops and generates ad-hoc reports in THISIS based on statewide program and/or individual site needs.
• Creates files for analysis on request.
• Collaborates with staff to identify gaps and to develop and/or modify THISIS workflows to meet program needs.
• Performs general data cleaning.
• Maintains eHARS lookup file.
• Creates and deletes user profiles and reset passwords.
• Maintains STDMIS data archives.
• 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 (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

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: Mid Level