BIDS Epidemiologist I

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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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Brief job description

Under the supervision of the Regional Epidemiologist, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment, provides leadership to the Border Binational Infectious Disease Surveillance (BIDS) Program.  The BIDS program aims to improve disease detection, reporting and prevention of infectious disease of binational concern in the US-Mexico border region.  BIDS Epidemiologist performs moderately complex (journey-level) epidemiological work by designing, implementing and analyzing epidemiological investigations or studies.  Establishes active, border or binational surveillance systems using standardized data collection and laboratory diagnostic testing for infectious diseases.  Responds to requests for infectious disease information from healthcare providers and the public.  Cross trained in all aspects of epidemiological conditions within the region, participates in epidemiologic investigations, including interviewing patients, data gathering and analysis and resulting recommendations for disease control and the creation of outbreak survey forms and reports.  Participates in border and binational outbreak investigations.  Networks and develops partnerships with local, state and federal binational public health entities.  Works in conjunction with the local health departments and Mexican public health colleagues.  Serves as a consultant to health professionals and the general public on public health matters in the Region through education and training related to surveillance, disease reporting and infectious diseases.

Essential Job Functions

EPIDEMIOLOGY AND SURVEILLANCE.  Assists regional response to disease clusters or outbreaks.  Improves surveillance for infectious disease by collecting and analyzing epidemiologic data to detect trends, outbreaks or unusual occurrences in Region 11 counties.  Collects epidemiological data, enters data into electronic systems and assures quality data entry into the National Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NEDSS) Based System (NBS).  Assists with epidemiological studies. Completes investigations, prepares communicable disease reports and consults with physicians, laboratories, hospital personnel and members of the public.  Coordinates the collection of clinical or environmental specimens for surveillance projects or outbreak investigations and oversee the submission of such specimens for analysis.  Maintains a log of NBS system and provides guidance and reports to various community stakeholders and the general public about infection control, communicable diseases, disease prevention and the epidemiology of diseases.  35%

TECHNICAL AND BORDER HEALTH ASSISTANCE.  Manages surveillance sites participating in a BIDS project in Region 11 by coordinating the recruitment, collection and reporting activity.  Maintains and improves the program’s surveillance and database system.  Develops tools to assess data on binational cases.  Develops clear guidelines on the use of the binational variables in case investigations.  Integrates the binational variable into disease surveillance systems and carries out quality assurance of binational case notifications.  In collaboration with Office of Border Public Health (OBPH) staff, develops or revises regional protocols for binational case reporting.  Coordinates data collection procedures with hospitals and laboratories, as well as abstract data from patient charts.  Builds and maintains collaborative relationships with local, state and federal binational epidemiology and surveillance partners.  Implements the US-Mexico Guidelines for infectious disease prevention and control via the Operational Protocol for Binational Communication and Coordination.  Improves completeness and timeliness of reporting of surveillance data, including effective use of binational variable.  Provides accurate, timely and relevant information to partners and the general public when requested while maintaining appropriate levels of confidentiality.  Develops and implements public health interventions addressing the disease priorities in the border region.  Prepares and distributes statistical data reports used to set regional priorities.  Improves coordination and exchange of public health information in the border region and binationally.  In collaboration with OBPH, plays a leadership role in binational epidemiology workgroups and other networks to improve public health response in the border binational region. 35%

TRAINING AND EDUCATION.  Develops and delivers training programs or presentations targeting the improvement of reporting and surveillance of notifiable conditions of binational concern.  Supports efforts to improve reporting and awareness through the preparation of articles and reports.  Prepares and presents speeches, technical report and briefings.  Promotes preventative measures through community education.  Provides border region workforce training to respond to border and binational infectious disease events.  May work with OBPH staff to develop or implement community health worker curricula focusing on infectious diseases.  20%

OTHER DUTIES. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to helping meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation and participating on a rotating after-hours call schedule.  Such participation may require an alternate shift and/or location assignment. 10%

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications

Texas Class C driver license or equivalent from another state to operate a motor vehicle safely.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of principles and methods of epidemiology, biostatistics and the epidemiology of infectious disease.
Knowledge of the transmission of infectious diseases and working discreetly while maintaining confidentiality.
Knowledge of state laws pertaining to disease reporting and the prevention and control of communicable disease.
Knowledge of current social, economic and public health issues relevant to Public Health Region 11
Knowledge of medical terminology as well as laboratory and medical reports.
Knowledge of educational program development and implementation.
Knowledge of data management and statistical methods, effectiveness of information reporting and quality assurance measures and techniques.

Skill in word processing, database development and management, spreadsheet software and graphic design software including Word, Outlook, Access, Excel and PowerPoint.
Skill in using statistical software packages such as Epi Info, SPSS, SAS.
Skill in public speaking.
Skill in writing and editing.
Skill in mathematical and statistical computations.

Ability to conduct investigations.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing
Ability to plan, develop and oversee disease surveillance programs
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external customers.
Ability to work independently, exercising sound judgment.
Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
Ability to travel.
Ability to speak, read and write Spanish.
Ability to work effectively in a binational environment with Spanish and English speakers.

Initial Screening Criteria

1. Bachelor’s degree in microbiology, epidemiology, infectious diseases, virology, biology, infectious diseases, biostatistics or related field, preferred.  Experience and education may be substituted for one another, provided the work experience is relevant to the job duties of the position. Two years of relevant work experience will equal one year of college education.

2. An advanced degree (ex: MPH, MSPH, MS, MD, PhD, DrPH or similar degree), is preferred.  

3. Three years of work experience related to the job duties of the position. (ex: Experience in analyzing data such as reviewing data sets, using a statistical software, running reports from a database, and interpreting data outputs).

4. Experience using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook and Power Point).

5. Ability to speak, read and write in Spanish.

Additional Information:

HHS agencies use E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.
I-9 Form - Click here to download the I-9 form.

Requires completion of at least Incident Command System 100, 200, 700 and 800 courses within 6 months of hire.

Applicants invited to an interview will be required to complete a skill test/in-basket assignment.

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