[Hiring] Healthcare-Associated Infection (HAI) Epidemiologist III @TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS

Role Description

Under supervision of the Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI)/ Antimicrobial Resistance (AR) Epidemiology Manager, serves as subject matter expert and performs senior-level epidemiological work related to the reporting, prevention and control of HAIs and antimicrobial resistance (AR) for designated Public Health Region(s) (PHR).

• Works in collaboration with other epidemiologists of the Healthcare Safety Unit and assigned PHR(s).
• Initiates, plans, conducts, and oversees epidemiological surveillance and investigations of HAI/AR.
• Conducts infection control assessments in healthcare facilities to evaluate their infection prevention and control (IPC) programs, and provide recommendations on how to mitigate identified gaps.
• Designs processes for the collection, management, evaluation, and dissemination of data.
• Develops educational materials and trainings for healthcare facilities and public health departments regarding infectious diseases, IPC recommendations and healthcare outbreak management.
• Prepares presentations and technical reports on IPC topics and HAI/AR investigations.
• Collaborates with internal and external stakeholders at the local, regional, and state level on IPC initiatives.
• Consults with hospital administrators, physicians, state and national organizations and others on the epidemiology of HAI/AR.
• Responds to public inquiries regarding HAI/AR.
• Develops recommendations to Manager on budget, grants, contracts, staffing needs, policies and procedures, legislative tasks, as needed.
• HAI Epidemiologist will be deployable to other PHRs within the state to assist, as needed, and with minimal advanced warning.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree (MPH, MS, MSN), Doctorate degree (PhD., DSc., DNP., DrPH., ScD., DMSc.), or professional certification or licensure (RN, MT[ASCP], PA, MBBS, MD, DO)
• At least 3 years of relevant experience (e.g., infection prevention and control, infectious disease epidemiology, public health epidemiology surveillance, data analysis, or microbiology).

Requirements

• Certification in Infection Control (CIC) strongly preferred.
• If not CIC-certified, must obtain the associate - Infection and Control (a-IPC) certification within 6 months of hire, and CIC certification within 15 months of hire.

Benefits

• Insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS).

Additional Information

• Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified for this position.
• In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), DSHS will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring process for individuals with a qualifying disability.
• The salary offered will follow DSHS starting salary guidelines.
• DSHS uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.