Infectious Disease Data Epidemiologist Ii

Do you have a "can do" attitude, enjoy working on a dynamic team, and want to be a part of the fascinating field of Infectious Disease surveillance and epidemiology?
Performs highly complex epidemiological work related to Texas' notifiable Infectious Disease conditions. Work involves planning, coordinating and conducting epidemiological investigations of the Texas notifiable multidrug resistant organisms (MDRO) and novel and targeted antibiotic resistant (AR) organisms identified through the Antibiotic Resistance Laboratory Network (AR Lab Network). The AR/MDRO Epidemiologist designs and implements complex data collection systems, analyzes data expertly using epidemiological and statistical significance methods, interprets findings, and disseminates results to DSHS internal and external stakeholders, including healthcare facilities, health departments' epidemiologists and the general community. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Job Functions:
(40%) Epidemiology and Surveillance: Coordinates epidemiological data collection operations for the notifiable MDRO conditions and targeted AR organisms. Conducts data quality assurance and control activities, data clean-up and data management of MDRO and AR epidemiological investigations. Proposes and initiates epidemiological projects, including design specification and analysis related to the investigations and reporting of MDROs and ARs. Conducts epidemiological investigations of MDRO notifiable conditions and completes data entry into the National Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NEDSS) Base System (NBS). Assist Healthcare Associated Infection (HAI) Epidemiologists with the investigation of targeted AR Lab Network organisms.
(40%) Consultation and Technical Assistance: Reviews and provides consultation on the epidemiological investigations of notifiable MDRO conditions and targeted AR organisms. Reviews and approves in NEDSS data entry of epidemiological investigations conducted by Texas local and regional epidemiologists. Creates, reviews and updates the Epidemiology Case Criteria, Investigations Guidelines and NEDSS Data Entry Guide for the notifiable MDRO conditions. Monitors shared email inbox in which laboratory reports and inquiries related to MDROs and AR organisms are received. Processes and downloads laboratory reports. In collaboration with the HAI Epidemiologists, coordinate colonization screenings needed as part of the containment response to targeted AR organisms. Serves as a consultant for local and regional epidemiologists in the investigation of notifiable MDRO conditions and targeted AR organisms. Coordinates relevant meetings with internal and external stakeholders, as needed.
(15%) Communication and training: Develops and implements ongoing trainings for local and regional epidemiologists related to the reporting of notifiable MDRO conditions and targeted AR organisms. Determines the appropriate formats for epidemiological reports; and coordinates the technical preparation, graphics design, and compilation of Notifiable MDRO Annual Report and AR Lab Network Investigations Annual Report. Reports the results of epidemiological investigations to professional, state and national organizations such as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
(5%) 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.

Knowledge Skills Abilities:
Knowledge of the principles and practices of epidemiology.
Knowledge of techniques used to evaluate the effectiveness of information reporting systems.
Knowledge of disease surveillance of antimicrobial resistant organisms, antibiotic stewardship, and health care-associated infections (HAI).
Knowledge of public health informatics and electronic database surveillance systems including the National Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NEDSS).
Knowledge of data quality control and data quality management practices.
Ability to gather, assemble and analyze data.
Ability to interpret public health laws of the State of Texas.
Ability to inform and educate the general public concerning antibiotic resistant organisms.
Ability to understand, organize, manipulate, and maintain complex data.
Ability to identify appropriate data to develop and create presentations of statistical and technical data clearly and concisely.
Ability to make sound judgments while working independently using own initiative.
Ability to identify ineffective surveillance areas, recommend and implement improvements.
Ability to analyze and evaluate public health needs.
Ability to work independently and with a group.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Skills in making and understanding mathematical and statistical calculations.
Skills in preparing written reports.
Skills in using Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook.
Skills in creating effective technical documentation.
Expert skills in managing large databases.

Registration or Licensure Requirements:
Certification or formal training in statistical methods, data management, and/or infection control desired but not required.

Initial Selection Criteria:
Required: Bachelors degree from a US Dept. of Education accredited institution.
Bachelors AND relevant work experience is desired.

Additional Information:
Partial or full telework a possibility, pending successful work performance.

MOS Code:
61G, HM, 230X, SEI12, 4E0X1, 43EX, 43HX