Public Health Nurse

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Austin, TX

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

This is an advanced (senior-level) public health role focused on healthcare safety and infection control, with a specialization in antimicrobial stewardship (AS) and antimicrobial resistance in healthcare settings. The position involves understanding antimicrobial use, resistance mechanisms, lab interpretation, and AS programming. Key responsibilities include managing federal- and state-mandated reporting for preventable adverse events (PAEs), healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), sharps injuries, bloodborne pathogen exposures, and multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs). The role requires representing the program as a subject matter expert and public speaker on these topics, leading investigations of unusual events, coordinating public health education and surveillance, providing consultative services, legislative guidance, technical assistance, and public speaking. The position also involves supervising healthcare safety data reporting processes, leading AS grant responsibilities, and overseeing projects using evidence-based methods. Duties are performed under limited supervision with considerable latitude for initiative and independent judgment.

Requirements

• Must be licensed as a registered nurse by the State of Texas or a state that recognizes reciprocity through the Nurse Licensure Compact.
• Masters/Doctorate in nursing or related degree with at least 2 years professional experience in healthcare, public health, academia, or state government; OR Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in nursing or from an accredited nursing program with at least 3 years professional experience in healthcare, public health, academia, or state government.
• Infectious disease professional experience.
• Knowledge of infectious disease clinical and empirical expertise.
• Expertise and clinical experience in AR and/or stewardship (bonus: AR and/or AS research, and policy).
• Knowledge of state laws and rules regarding HAIs, bloodborne pathogen exposures, and PAEs.
• Knowledge of HAIs, infection prevention measures, and patient safety standards and interventions.
• Knowledge of NHSN’s surveillance definitions and data requirements.
• Knowledge of PAEs or serious adverse events in healthcare.
• Knowledge of infectious diseases and public health surveillance.
• Knowledge of healthcare safety prevention and control measures.
• Knowledge of data quality control and management practices.
• Knowledge of plain language methodologies.
• Skilled in completing detailed tasks ensuring 100% accuracy.
• Skilled developing collaborations with public health-related partners, including internal and external stakeholders.
• Skilled at being detail-oriented and organized, while multitasking under a deadline.
• Skill writing and presenting to high profile scientific and non-scientific audiences.
• Skill in investigation and surveillance of healthcare safety data.
• Advanced skill with statistical analysis and interpretation.
• Skill using Word, Excel to analyze data, and PowerPoint.
• Skill implementing healthcare quality improvement and management.
• Skill with project management.
• Ability to plan and direct programs and to communicate effectively.
• Ability to collect and analyze statistical/epidemiologic data and make recommendations based on findings.
• Ability to present statistical and technical data clearly and concisely.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work effectively as a team member with state, regional and local health department personnel, and private sector professionals.
• Ability to communicate with the media and the public.
• Ability to interpret antimicrobial resistance results and reports and provide expert clinical recommendations.
• Ability to organize and maintain complex records and files.
• Ability to establish measurable and well-defined goals and objectives.
• Ability to think analytically and teach analytical thinking skills to staff.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with team members and work through conflict.
• Ability to lead teams, train others, and delegate effectively.
• Ability to manage time effectively, prioritize assignments, and manage the time-sensitive and high visibility workload of the position.
• Ability to interpret data, develop effective operating procedures, and presentations.
• Ability to organize and present information effectively, oral and written.
• Ability to comprehensively and accurately evaluate reports.

Nice To Haves

• Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ)
• Certification in Infection Control (CIC) - if not obtained at hire, must earn within first 6 months of employment.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a clinical subject matter expert and educator for infection prevention and control, including antimicrobial stewardship (AS), preventable adverse events (PAEs), healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), sharps injuries, bloodborne pathogen exposures, and multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs).
• Develop and lead multi-media training for internal and external stakeholders on healthcare safety topics.
• Represent Texas at occasional conferences and workshops (1-3 times annually).
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of educational activities.
• Serve as the lead on the implementation and ongoing management of complex AS program initiatives, working with healthcare facilities, the public, Texas Leadership, and national authorities like the CDC.
• Perform public speaking and assist with planning and organizing healthcare safety meetings, conferences, and seminars.
• Develop and oversee the coordination of AS projects related to grant milestones.
• Coordinate the development and monitoring of federal grant applications for new and ongoing programs.
• Monitor assigned contracts and implement new legislation for the Healthcare Safety Unit (HSU).
• Use critical thinking skills to solve complex issues.
• Serve as the HSU public health liaison and subject matter expert on patient safety and healthcare safety reporting.
• Provide consultative services and technical assistance on program specifics and requirements to various stakeholders.
• Formulate and develop technical, public-facing written policies and procedures for PAE reporting using the Texas Healthcare Safety Network (TxHSN).
• Collaborate with epidemiologists and Texas employees developing plans for surveilling, evaluating, enhancing, and supporting activities focused on the prevention and control of HAIs and PAEs in healthcare.
• Review and update case definitions and case scenarios for PAEs.
• Conduct ongoing analyses and monitoring of healthcare safety data for accuracy and impact.
• Evaluate PAE reporting to identify and correct common errors.
• Develop plans and recommendations to improve compliance with reporting rules.
• Monitor and manage reporting processes and procedures for PAEs, including bloodborne pathogen exposures, as mandated by the Texas Health and Safety Code.
• Coordinate with partner agencies on regulatory topics and quality assurance.
• Evaluate and recommend courses of action for the Texas Administrative Code (TAC).
• Maintain knowledge and understanding of the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) by participating in ongoing training and update calls/meetings.
• Prepare detailed, professional, and accessible administrative healthcare safety documents and reports.
• Assist in coordinating, writing, and reviewing infection control guidelines, data reports, and surveillance.
• Assist with monitoring and responding to data and open records requests.
• Communicate professionally and effectively with local, regional, state, and federal agencies and key partners.
• Review and analyze federal and state legislation to determine impact on healthcare safety reporting and assist in preparing associated budget requests.
• Consult with national organizations (CDC, AHRQ, CSTE), healthcare facilities, professional organizations, and state agencies involved with healthcare safety reporting and prevention.
• Coordinate, plan, and monitor public health education in support of MDRO/AR surveillance and reporting, including data entry, case status determinations, and quality assurance review for cases entered in NEDSS.
• Use MDRO/AR knowledge to inform AS activities.
• Follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the National Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NEDSS).
• May work on notifiable condition guidelines, alerts, reporting, and tracking.
• Actively participate and/or serve in a lead or supporting role to meet agency obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation.
• May serve as Lead or primary coordinator of Unit or Agency projects in emergency or acute scenarios, including tasks associated with legislation, disease outbreak, clinical consultations, and/or congregate settings infection control.

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: Senior