Public Health Prevention Specialist I

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.

Review our Top 10 Tips for Success when Applying to State of Texas Jobs.

Brief Job Description:

Performs responsible technical, clerical and program administrative duties as a team with the public health nurse to maintain clinic flow and function according to DSHS policy and procedures. Work involves planning, organizing, and performing a variety of administrative activities. Work is performed under the supervision of the Program Supervisor III and Team Leadership of the public health nurse with limits determined by established policies and procedures and is subject to review and approval through conferences with the supervisor. The exercise of a degree of individual initiative and planning is encouraged. Confidentiality is of the utmost importance. Assists with home visits and provides TB Direct Observation Therapy under nurse regional and TB program over site provided in the Standing Delegation Orders. Provide education to the community on various Title V Child and Maternal Health State or Federal performance measures targeted for data collection. Is or will have current CPR certification (Basic Life Support).

Essential Job Functions:

1) Performs clerical duties for comprehensive clinic, participates in eligibility screening as needed. Initiates the client record, including demographics and social economic data to fill out documentation as needed for chart files. Uses CMIS (Case Management and Investigation System) to schedule appointments, conduct invenory, and charting. Utilizes PIOS to order and receive vaccine shipments. Completes lab forms and check for completeness, assist in preparation of blood/urine/other specimens (i.e. use of incubation or centrifuge; cold packaging) for shipment to appropriate lab, ship specimens, and files lab results in client record once nurse has reviewed. Processes all outgoing mail including lab specimens and picks up mail that is delivered to PO Box. (30%)

2) Performs various administrative functions and works as a team member with the public health nurse to provide clinic and community-based services. Functions as receptionist, answering phone to take messages, provides information, and schedules appointments. Prepares the monthly calendar with input from nurse, maintains accurate filing system, provides office staffing as the front-line representative of public health for the community. Utilizes eTravel travel reimbursement system for monthly travel vouchers. Also, utilizes the CAPPS human resource system for timekeeping and monthly certification. Assists nurse in preparing necessary materials for community education and staff in-services. Reviews lab slips for billing and client information accuracy prior to specimen shipment. (30%)

3) Assists with outreach functions for Title V Child and Maternal Health population-based services, including participation in community/stakeholder events (i.e. school health advisory committee, health fairs). Provides information regarding DSHS and other HHSC program services and maintains current knowledge of other local services within community to assist community. (20%)

4) Inventories stock levels, including regular vaccine inventory levels in partnership with the nurse, and orders clinic and office supplies, equipment, and educational materials. Reconciles and shortages/overages of inventory. Assist with the notification and the transfer of short-dated vaccine to eliminate vaccine waste, according to Immunization Program procedure. Assist with shelf rotation of medications according to expiration dates.  Call Out:  Will be called out after hours, including weekends and holidays, in response to temperature excursion notification from Sensaphone System on vaccine refrigerator and/or freezer vaccine storage units.  Will follow vaccine contingency plan. (10%)

5) Performs other support services as assigned. May perform home visits on TB patients to monitor the Direct Observation Therapy treatment and record client contact with over site of the nurse and TB program under the TB program Standing Delegation Orders. Maybe called upon to respond to public health emergencies or events to actively participate and/or serve 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 alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location. Will participate as directed in an all-hazard response and has knowledge of Incident Command System. (10%)

Knowledge Skills & Abilities:

Knowledge of needs, problems, and community environments of persons in various populations served.

Knowledge of state health programs, services, and resources available to local community.

Knowledge of office management and accounting practices.

Knowledge of various types of office equipment and the use of that equipment. 

Skill in assessing immunization records according to current immunization schedules. 

Skill in using medical equipment, such as centrifuge or incubator. 

Ability to work under limited supervision exercising sound judgment.

Ability to work with and learn various computer software and programs.

Ability to be work in a flexible manner in a business office or medical office busy work environment.

Ability to clearly understand, interpret, and adhere to policies and procedures of Department of State Health Services.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with supervising personnel and coworkers.

Ability to work with and establish favorable rapport with diverse populations in the clinic and in the community including home or community visits.

Ability to maintain HIPAA confidentiality requirement.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications: 

Valid driver's license

Initial Screening Criteria:

High School diploma, experience using office equipment, and Microsoft Office, experience in a field realated to health.

Additional Information:

DSHS is a Tobacco-free workplace.  Employee must provide transportation. If an employee operates a personal or state motor vehicle in performance of their official duties, employee must possess a current valid Texas driver's license for the appropriate type of vehicle. Employees/applicants are responsible for providing a copy of their driver’s license prior to beginning employment. May be required to work a flextime schedule, which would include weekends and holidays and to travel on short notice. Compliance with DSHS Immunization Policy required: serologic evidence of immunity to, or documented evidence of vaccination against, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chickenpox), Tdap, annual vaccination against influenza (and hepatitis B if applicable).

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