Public Health Informatics Specialist 2 (Epi2) Doh7761

Salary: $78,120.00 - $105,096.00 Annually
Location : Multiple Locations Statewide, WA
Job Type: Project (limited duration)
Remote Employment: Remote Optional
Job Number: DOH7761
Department: Dept. of Health
Division: Office of Innovation and Technology (OIT)
Opening Date: 12/11/2023
Closing Date: 12/25/2023 11:59 PM Pacific
Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step
Description
This is a project position working on the Syndromic Surveillance HL7 Validation project funded through June 30, 2024.
Use your skills in Public Health Informatics to make a difference in enhancing community health and safety.
As a Public Health Informatics Specialist, you'll be integral in transforming complex data into actionable insights, crucial for informed decision-making and effective policy development in Public Health. As part of our Data Modernization initiative, you will develop, maintain, and enhance data systems and informatics capabilities for Syndromic Surveillance and potentially other Public Health systems. You will develop solutions to improve data which are essential for case and contact investigation, surveillance, outbreak detection, and other critical Public Health functions.
In this position you will manage and analyze electronically formatted data, developing tools to measure and enhance the quality, integrity, and utility of these critical and sensitive data. You'll handle a broad range of tasks that include system planning, design, policy development, and project management. Additionally, you'll engage in the operational aspects of system development, implementation, and evaluation, developing control and feedback mechanisms for data submitters to improve the resiliency, reactivity, and scalability of Public Health systems.
This is a unique opportunity to contribute significantly to Public Health Informatics, working alongside a dynamic team dedicated to improving Public Health outcomes across Washington State. Join us in this meaningful endeavor to shape a healthier future for our communities.
Responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary subject matter expert in the Center for Data Modernization and Informatics on Syndromic Surveillance data lifecycle
• Design and implement innovative solutions to improve data quality, accuracy, and completeness for syndromic surveillance and other Public Health systems.
• Create resilient and scalable feedback loops to proactively identify data discrepancies within informatic workflows, inform data submitters, and track through restoration of data throughout.
• Analyze business operations and workflows to guide system development.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to manage changes from Public Health Informatics activities.
• Develop and execute testing plans to ensure accuracy and functionality of health data systems.
• Monitor system performance, identify and resolve technical issues.
• Ensure continuous operation and data collection through effective system testing.
• Make configuration updates to enhance Public Health data systems.
• Maintain and update reference datasets for clinical data exchange.
• Validate system processes and adjust data feeds as needed.
• Document work processes and system details for clarity and efficiency.
• Provide training and support to users and staff on system operations.
• Communicate with users to solve issues and improve data management processes.
• Understand and manage data flow in downstream systems for optimal interoperability.
• Administer and enhance data quality in program-specific datasets.
• Analyze and interpret data for insightful reports and recommendations.
• Conduct statistical analyses and manage complex data sets.
• Offer expertise in data management, analysis, and Public Health Informatics.
• Support teams with data analysis, technical documentation, and informatics inquiries.
• Stay informed on national standards and interoperability in Public Health.
• Create and update materials on data exchange and system integration.
• Provide backup support for Data Exchange Section and Center for Data Modernization.
• Engage in special projects to resolve interoperability and informatics challenges.

Qualifications:
You must have a degree in Health Informatics, Public Health, Science, Epidemiology, Public Policy or Health Policy, Health Services Research, Health Information Sciences, Computer Science, or closely related field AND the following informatics experience OR 7 years of the following informatics experience:
Experience in a healthcare or Public Health setting with Health Informatics responsibilities of conducting and/or supporting informatics projects including scientific investigations, information architecture management, and implementing data and information standards.

• Option 1: Seven (7) years of experience

• Option 2: Bachelor's degree AND three (3) years of experience

• Option 3: Master's degree AND One (1) years of experience

You must meet one of the above options AND have the following required skills to be considered for this position:

• An Understanding of Public health, disease surveillance, healthcare informatics/surveillance systems and epidemiologic practices
• An understanding of strategies for achieving effective data acquisition, management, quality, storage, use, and application to address clinical care and population health needs.
• Data communications security and privacy techniques; legal and ethical issues regarding confidentiality and use of individually identifiable Public Health and medical record data.
• Experience interpreting and evaluating information to analyze, summarize, and prepare reports.
• Experience interpreting and analyzing medical, health and other data obtained from a variety of sources.
• Experience Conveying complex information effectively using oral and written communication.

Note: Yourexperience may have been gained through a combination of education, professional experience and paid or unpaid experience. Experience substitutes for education on a year for year basis.
Desired Skills and Preferred Experience:
Additional years of experience in a Public Health practice or healthcare setting, with responsibilities including conducting and/or supporting the following informatics related functions:

• Information architecture management with open-source programming tools
• Scientific investigations,
• Information architecture management
• Complex data cleaning and analysis projects
• Implementing data and information standards.

Experience with the following:

• Maintaining and enhancing Public Health systems
• Working in a hospital, clinic, laboratory, or other clinical setting
• Working with an integration engine such as Rhapsody or similar
• Health Level 7 (HL7) standards such as v2, eICR, CCD, FHIR, etc.
• Relational database management including writing Structured Query Language (SQL) queries
• Using programming and statistical analysis languages such as Python, JavaScript, SAS, and R
• Performing statistical analyses, data cleaning, data wrangling, and similar tasks using R, SAS, or STATA
• Providing technical assistance in support of health information exchange, data linking and system integration
• Developing instruments and methodologies for an integrated Public Health surveillance system such as
  • Aberration detection algorithms
  • Data mining programs
  • Matching and duplication of individual records when integrating different databases

Leveraging visualization and BI reporting tools such as Power BI or Tableau

An understanding of the following:

• Public health, disease surveillance, healthcare informatics/surveillance systems and epidemiologic practices
• Health information vocabularies and data standards (e.g. HL7, ICD, LOINC and SNOMED codes)
• Data modeling and the design of data systems
• Information technology project management practices including Agile.
• Business and/or technical requirement documentation for information system development and enhancement
• Electronic health record (EHR) and/or laboratory information management systems (LIMS)

Our ideal candidate will meet the following competencies:

• Proactively anticipates future challenges and trends, devising contingency plans and strategic initiatives in collaboration with key stakeholders.
• Adapts strategies and projects based on feedback from employees, customers, and community members, ensuring alignment with the organization's broader goals and sustainable value creation.
• Utilizes a deep understanding of the organization's structure, culture, and processes to effectively gather resources for projects and programs.
• Clearly communicates project milestones and schedules to all involved parties, measuring program performance and implementing improvements through inclusive, community-partnered evaluation systems.
• Efficiently plans, organizes, and prioritizes a variety of projects, managing multiple tasks in dynamic, high-pressure environments.

The Center for Data Modernization and Informatics
We are proud to be a leader in Public Health data management, emphasizing data access, transparency, and communication. We support data visualization and provide technical assistance to various divisions. Our focus on Data Modernization aims to evolve Public Health data systems to be interconnected and adaptable. In Business Intelligence Analytics, we transform data into insights to improve business decisions and efficiency. We prioritize effective data exchange for case investigation, contact tracing, and surveillance, facilitating seamless data integration with our surveillance systems.
In Informatics, we guide the agency in adhering to national standards for clinical data exchange, manage the state's Health Information Exchange (OneHealthPort), and ensure interoperability of solutions. Our team actively collaborates with local, state, national, federal, tribal, and international partners to direct our strategic approach to information systems, ensuring compliance with federal rules. We are committed to assisting clinical providers and the public in achieving optimal health outcomes.
About the Washington State Department of Health (DOH)
At DOH, we safeguard Public Health in an ever-evolving world. Through collaboration with local health jurisdictions and state, federal, and private partners, our programs, and services impact every Washingtonian and visitor daily. We're driven by Equity, Innovation, and Engagement, as outlined in our Transformational Plan for the future of Washington health.
Benefits and Lifestyle
We prioritize your work-life balance and offer one of the most competitive benefits packages nationwide, tailored to support your lifestyle. Discover more about "Why DOH" by visiting Work@Health.
Location and Flexibility
Homebased - Our approach to work is flexible. You'll primarily work remotely from your home location with an occasional on-site presence at the DOH office in Tumwater, WA. We're extending our reach to include remote applicants located anywhere within the USA.
Application Process:

• Remember to showcase your relevant education and experience in your application materials.
• DO NOT attach any documents that include photos, letters of recommendation, or private information (transcripts, social security number, year of birth, etc.).
• Click "Apply" to submit your detailed application profile along with the following:
  1. A cover letter (without personal pictures) describing how you meet the qualifications and why you are interested in this position.
  2. A current resume (without personal pictures).
  3. Three (3) or more professional references, to be listed in your profile under the references section, which includes at least one supervisor, peer, and (if you have supervised staff) someone you have supervised or led.

Veterans Preference: Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference must attach a copy of their DD-214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or signed verification of service letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to their application. Please remove or cover any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers and birth year.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: We regard diversity as the foundation of our strength, recognizing that differing insights and abilities enable us to reflect the unique needs of the communities we serve.
DOH is an equal-opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination based on race/ethnicity/color, creed, sex, pregnancy, age, religion, national origin, marital status, the presence or perception of a disability, veteran's status, military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender expression, or gender identity.
Representation: This position is covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.
Questions and Accommodations: If you have questions, need accommodation in the application or selection process, or need information in an alternative format, contact Shawnelle Goalder at shawnelle.goalder@doh.wa.gov. For general DOH recruitment questions, email the Talent Acquisition Team at Deaf or hard of hearing contact Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1; individuals outside of Washington State contact Washington Relay Service at 1-800-833-6874.
Technical Support: Reach out to NEOGOV directly at 1-855-524-5627 for technical support and login issues.
Conditions of Employment:
I am prepared, wit...