Zoonosis Epidemiologist

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Arlington, TX

13d • $4,020 - $5,178 • Onsite

About The Position

Under the direction of the PHR 2/3 Regional Zoonosis Control Program Manager/Veterinarian, performs moderately complex (journey-level) and comprehensive epidemiological work. Assists in the design, implementation, and analysis of notifiable conditions surveillance processes including conducting epidemiological investigations or studies. Abstracts epidemiological data from medical records of physicians, veterinarians, and hospitals. Participates in general data management and report writing for epidemiological investigations or studies on notifiable conditions. Maintains disease databases and logs. Prepares oral and written reports and presentations. Initiates, develops, and maintains relationships with local governments, health departments, state and federal agencies, and private organizations to enhance and facilitate reporting, prevention, and control of zoonotic diseases and implementation of rabies prevention program. Provides consultative services and technical assistance to internal and external partners and the public concerning zoonotic diseases. Implements rabies prevention program through consultations, education, facility inspections, and anti-rabies biologicals distribution. Plans, organizes, and participates in animal control officer training and zoonotic disease educational programs to broad audiences. Participates in local, regional, inter-regional, and statewide Zoonosis Control Programs (ZCP). Responds to emergency public health issues and assists in bioterrorism and disaster activities as needed. Participates in the cooperative use of epidemiological data with other agencies, states, and national organizations such as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Works under general supervision, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgement. Must be able to travel independently throughout the State of Texas and out-of-state to complete essential job functions. Member of the Incident Command Structure in response to public health emergencies. Must comply with HHS, DSHS, Texas Department of Public Safety applicable policies/procedures/standards. This position is office-based in the Arlington regional headquarters, Monday-Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm unless job duties, or a response requires mobile or remote work.

Requirements

• Experience in public health work, animal health, epidemiology, infectious diseases, microbiology, biostatistics or other related work relevant to job functions.
• Willing to work on call to include holidays and weekends.
• Willing to travel 35% of time.
• Must possess a valid Class C Texas driver’s license, or equivalent license from another state.
• Knowledge of the prevention and control of infectious agents.
• Knowledge of etiology and dynamics of diseases.
• Knowledge of medical terminology, epidemiology, and public health problems.
• Knowledge of Texas public health laws, including those that govern the control and reporting of notifiable conditions.
• Knowledge of basic and natural sciences, and disease vectors.
• Knowledge of statutes and rules administered by the Zoonosis Control Branch; including the Rabies Control Act.
• Knowledge of educational techniques and procedures.
• Knowledge of preparedness and response procedures.
• Skill in using computers and software including word processing, database, spreadsheet, internet, e-mail and graphic software packages such as Word, Access, Excel, Adobe, PowerPoint, GIS.
• Skill in data management and analysis.
• Skill in problem solving.
• Skill in communicating effectively verbally and in writing.
• Skill in preparing technical reports in a clear and concise manner.
• Skill in proofreading and editing documents.
• Skill in basic interpretation of diagnostic laboratory results and information from medical charts.
• Skill in public speaking before professional and lay audiences.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with managers, co-workers, the public and professional groups.
• Ability to interpret public health laws and regulations.
• Ability to communicate effectively to diverse audiences.
• Ability to provide excellent customer service experience.
• Ability to work independently to conduct investigations and maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to organize and prioritize workload and meet deadlines.
• Ability to obtain, handle and process biologic specimens from a variety of environmental conditions.
• Ability to independently travel throughout the State of Texas and out-of-state to complete essential job functions.
• Ability to work in an office-based setting unless a response requires mobile or remote work.
• Ability to meet deadlines and work on multiple projects at the same time.
• Ability to Participate fully in on-call schedule.

Nice To Haves

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university

Responsibilities

• Conducts investigation of human and animal zoonotic disease suspects and laboratory confirmed cases directly or in coordination with local health departments.
• Participates in all aspects of specific epidemiological investigations or studies.
• Abstracts, reviews, and interprets medical information, including labs.
• Builds and maintains collaborative relationships with epidemiology and surveillance partners.
• Contacts partners and patients to identify and collect epidemiological data.
• Adheres to procedures and policies pertaining to notifiable disease investigation and documentation including timely turnaround of investigation and documentation.
• Enters epidemiologic data into and maintains appropriate logs and databases.
• Analyzes data and disseminates the results of investigations and surveillance.
• Prepares reports and presentations.
• Maintains disease surveillance program to include collection and forwarding of specimens, recording results, and analyzing and reporting data.
• Participates in the cooperative use of epidemiological data with other agencies, states, and national organizations.
• Coordinates with and assists the Regional Zoonosis Control Veterinarian with the planning, development, and implementation of regional zoonotic and vector-borne disease surveillance program.
• Obtains patient consent and arranges specimen collection and submission when needed.
• May label, package and ship specimens, and fill out laboratory submission slips.
• Maintains inventory of surveillance equipment and supplies.
• Provides assistance for epidemiological investigations conducted by outside agencies and organizations.
• Must be able to independently travel throughout the State of Texas and out-of-state to complete essential job functions.
• Participates in on-call rotation to assure 24/7 availability on holidays, weekends, and after normal work hours.
• Provides complex consultative services and technical assistance to a diverse group of partners and the public on prevention and control of zoonotic diseases.
• Participates in development, planning, implementation, and monitoring programs on a broad range of subjects linked to zoonosis control and public health.
• Assures and assists in the management and distribution of rabies biologicals.
• Provides consultative services to veterinarians, animal control officers, patients, physicians and local health departments concerning risk assessment of rabies exposure incidents and investigations.
• Organizes, conducts, and provides training at Animal Control Officer and other continuing education courses.
• Conducts on-site inspections and reviews of rabies quarantine facilities to determine compliance with state regulations, completing appropriate inspection forms to document findings.
• Evaluates surveillance processes and procedures.
• Provides consultations and technical assistance to animal welfare groups, agricultural and wildlife workers, veterinarians, medical providers, local health departments and other partners regarding zoonotic disease related issues and public health.
• Represents ZCP to internal and external partners.
• Develops, prepares, and distributes technical information to partners.
• Assists in preparation of reports and presents findings to diverse audiences, including children.
• Use automated mapping systems to summarize and pinpoint disease clusters and complete reports.
• Participates in cross-training on investigation and communication processes.
• Develops awareness materials and tools.
• Disseminates and/or communicates educational courses and materials, training, and presentations as well as awareness materials to stakeholders.
• Coordinates and/or conducts surveillance activities for zoonotic and vector-borne diseases.
• Processes biological specimens and performs diagnostic tests according to proper procedures and infection control techniques.
• Analyzes, and monitors surveillance data in relation to program goals and provides input to the Regional Zoonosis Control Veterinarian regarding modification of regional surveillance strategies.
• Prepares reports, presentations, and maps summarizing disease surveillance data.
• Enters surveillance data into statewide databases.
• Participates in disease outbreak responses and follow up.
• Participates, as determined by the PHR 2/3 Regional Zoonosis Control Program Manager/Veterinarian, in statewide field training opportunities and the implementation of the Oral Rabies Vaccination Program.
• May be required to work other than normal business hours to respond to public health emergencies; actively participate and/or serve in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response/recovery/Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation- requires completion of at least ICS 100,200, 700 and 800 courses and may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.
• Maintain compliance with DSHS Policy, Fleet Operations and Management & Procedures and Standards, and a current valid Texas Driver's License.
• Other duties as assigned.

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
• Education Level: Associate degree