Medical Screening Quality Improvement Program Specialist VI

DSHS is committed to hiring skilled and dedicated individuals who share a passion for public health to pursue our vision of A Healthy Texas. If you are looking to make an impact and tackle new challenges, we encourage you to consider a career with us.

Employee Benefits:

DSHS offers insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS). To learn more about all the benefits available to you as a DSHS employee and other DSHS opportunities for early career pathways, visit the DSHS Careers Page.

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Functional Title: Medical Screening Quality Improvement Program Specialist VI 
Job Title: Program Specialist VI 
Agency: Dept of State Health Services 
Department: NBS/Med Scrning QI/Test Supp 
Posting Number: 7556 
Closing Date: 08/13/2025 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Life, Physical, and Social Science 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-23 
Salary Range: $5,098.66 - $6,701.75 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Shift: Regular Weekend Day 
Additional Shift:  
Telework: Not Eligible for Telework 
Travel: Up to 5% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: AUSTIN 
Job Location Address: 1100 W 49TH ST (DBGL) 
Other Locations:  
MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,86P0,88A0,88B0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS 
 
 
 

Brief Job Description:

Under the supervision of the Medical Screening Unit Quality Improvement and Testing Support Branch manager, plans, develops, manages, and monitors continuous quality improvement and technology upgrade projects for the Medical Screening Unit. Evaluates prioritizes, coordinates, and facilitates the development of activities and processes with stakeholders and DSHS staff according to defined schedules. Oversees, organizes, and prepares program and legislative reports and action memorandums. Composes and assists the submission of grant applications, reports, and scientific publications. Develops and monitors work plans, timelines, and deliverables for achieving grant objectives, evaluates and prioritizes activities, and coordinates and facilitates the development of processes with stakeholders and DSHS staff.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

EJF1 (40%) Manages and coordinates continuous quality improvement, technology upgrades, and other projects for the Unit. Plans and tracks tasks and resources, and organizes communication, ensuring milestones are completed within established time frames, and reports progress to Branch manager, Unit Director, and as requested to department management and committees. Oversees the effectiveness of programs and projects. Identifies, develops, and implements effective techniques to evaluate Unit programs and projects in order to ensure the highest quality of laboratory services.

EJF2 (20%) Plans, implements, and oversees other Unit and DSHS collaborative activities in support of the Unit and Laboratory Services Section as required. Responsibilities include assisting with developing, approving, and monitoring schedules, priorities, and standards for achieving DSHS and program goals, including collaborative meetings. Oversees, prepares, and organizes submission of grant applications. For awarded grants, develops timelines for deliverables defined in grants, oversees grant deliverable compliance, maintains cost accounting records, and reports grant activities.

EJF3 (20%) Collects, compiles, and creates written reports, posters, presentations, abstracts, manuscripts of requested information and clinical data. Provides information for legislative requests and prepares scientific manuscripts for publication. Ensures reports and assignments are completed in a timely manner.

EJF4 (15%) Effectively communicates with and serves as liaison within the DSHS Laboratory and between the Laboratory, vendors, and other state agencies on Unit activities in order to maintain and improve overall customer satisfaction of Unit programs. Responds to evolving needs of customers and actively obtains information from external stakeholders that are required for Unit programs and projects. Maintains knowledge of emerging technologies for identification of newborn disorders and provides updates to Unit manager as needed.

EJF5 (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 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. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge and understanding of the roles of public health laboratories.

Knowledge of microbiology, biochemistry, and chemistry laboratory testing.

Knowledge of Laboratory Information Management Systems.

Knowledge of DSHS and HHSC policies and procedures for personnel, budget management and tracking, fiscal accounting, purchasing, and contracting, travel, and grants management.

Knowledge of email, word processing, project management, spreadsheet, and database programs such as MS Outlook, MS Word, MS Project, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, and Access.

Knowledge of project management concepts.

Skill in effective customer service practices. 

Skill in synthesizing and analyzing complex information for a variety of purposes.

Skill in problem solving and conflict resolution.

Skill in oral and written communication.

Skill in systems development, implementation, and evaluation.

Skill in time management and planning.

Skill in managing projects and public health programs. 

Ability to prepare concise reports, to develop and evaluate policies and procedures, and to plan for following action needed.

Ability to utilize computer programs for spreadsheet analysis, database analysis, word processing, and Laboratory Information Management Systems.

Ability to utilize computer programs for laboratory data analysis including trend analysis.

Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, analyze data, and devise solutions to problems.

Ability to present complex information to a variety of audiences. 

Ability to develop recommendations for policies and procedures and produce concise reports.

Ability to organize and manage multiple tasks, prioritize heavy workloads, and meet deadlines. 

Ability to establish goals and objectives.

Ability to facilitate meetings and projects and work effectively with teams.

Ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships with managers, co-workers, and partners. Ability to adapt to a changing work environment.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

N/A

Initial Screening Criteria:

1. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited 4-year college or university. Advanced degree preferred.

2. At least one year of full-time experience in public health, process improvement, project management or development, or program evaluation. Experience in newborn screening is preferred but not required.

Additional Information:

N/A

Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified for this position. For more information see the Texas State Auditor’s Military Crosswalk at https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions/.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), DSHS will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring process for individuals with a qualifying disability. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the interview process, please notify the person who contacts you to schedule the interview. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747 or via email at HHSServiceCenter.Applications@ngahrhosting.com.

Salary Information, Pre-employment Checks, and Work Eligibility:

• The salary offered will follow DSHS starting salary guidelines. Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds.
• Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.
• DSHS uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.  Download the I-9 form