Flu Coordinator

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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JobDescription: PublHlth and Prevent Spcl II
Under thesupervision of the Epidemiology Supervisor,assists regional epidemiologists to conductdisease surveillance activities. Participates asa member of the Epidemiological Response Team(ERT) which serves as a state resource during anepidemiologic response. Monitors, reviews, andprocesses incoming disease reports and otherepidemiologic data. Ensures complete reporting,efficient data exchange, and coordinatesregulatory-compliant specimen submission withboth internal and external stakeholders.Maintains records and electronic data. Conductscase interviews and participates in outbreakinvestigations. Prepares and distributesepidemiologic reports. Manages and edits factsheets, surveillance and case investigationforms, program brochures, and otherinformational materials regarding emergencyresponse.

Essential JobFunctions: Attendswork on a regular and predictable schedule inaccordance with agency leave policy and performsother duties as assigned.
(20%) 1.Participates as a member of the EpidemiologicalResponse Team (ERT) and may respond to an eventor disease outbreak anywhere in the state.Assists with regional response readinessplanning. Assists in the development andcompilation of policies and plans that supportpreparedness and response. Assists in developingeffective relationshps and networks ofcommunication to promote teamwork andcollaboration in implementing responseactivities. Respond to written and verbalrequests for disease reporting and responseinformation.

(40%) 2. Conducts diseasesurveillance activities. Contacts physicians,hospitals and laboratories to identify andcollect data for persons with specific symptomsor disease. Works collaboratively with localhealth departments (LHDs) and health careprofessionals to coordinate data collectionprocedures. Monitors incoming data to ensureaccuracy and completeness and contact submittersto collect missing data. Creates surveillanceand case investigation forms. Enters morbiditydata. Performs database quality assurance reviewmeasures and data checks. Performs data queriesfor cleaning data. Conducts on-site evaluationsof hospital and laboratory reporting. Reviewsrecords to assess degree of reporting. Maintainshard copy files. Submits pertinent surveillanceforms in a timely manner to Central Office.

(15%) 3. Assists with epidemiologicinvestigations. Interviews patients/casecontrols and reviews medical, laboratory, andother records from hospitals and physicians.Obtains patient consent and arranges specimencollection and submission when needed. may labellab samples and fill out lab submission slips.Contacts private labs to ensure specimens areforwarded to DSHS lab as needed.

(10%)4. Responds to written and verbal requests formorbidity data and information. Assists withdata analysis. Prepares statistical data reportsusing a variety of software applicationsincluding Word, powerpoint, excel, EpiInfo,Access, SPSS.

(10%) 5. Assists withsurveilance and preparedness training. Preparespresentations and creates fact sheets and/orbrochures.

(5%) 6. Other duties asassigned include but are not limited to activelyparticipating and/or serving in a supportingrole to meet the agency's obligations fordisaster response and/or recovery or Continuityof Operations (COOP) activation. Suchparticipation may require an alternate shiftpattern assignment and/or location.

Registrations, LicensureRequirements or Certifications: N/A

KnowledgeSkills Abilities: Knowledgeof the causative agents of infectious diseasesof Public Health concern
Ability to conductinvestigations and to make investigativeinquiries
Knowledge of Epidemiologicalresponse procedures
Knowledge of thecomponents of the healthcare delivery system andtheir role in public health epidemiology.
Knowledge of medical terminology and basicepidemiology
Knowledge of Texas PublicHealth Laws governing the control and reportingfo notifiable conditions.
Skill in usingword processing, database, spreadsheet andgraphic software packages including MicrosoftWord, Access, Excel, EpiInfo, SPSS andpowerpoint.
Basic skill in interpretingdiagnostic laboratory results.
Skill inreviewing information and drawing conclusionsbased on program guidelines and protocols.
Skill in proof reading, editing, andmaintaining hardcopy and electronic documents.
Ability to maintain effective workingrelationships with managers, co-workers, thepublic and professional groups.
Ability toorganize and prioritize multiple tasks and meetdeadlines.
Ability to work independently
Ability to maintain confidentiality ofprotected health information (PHI)


InitialScreening Criteria:

Bachelor'sdegree from an accredited college or university.
Experience in disease epidemiology andsurveillance case work, disease prevention andcontrol, and data management are preferred.

Experience may be substituted for education.


AdditionalInformation: Attendswork on a regular and predictable schedule inaccordance with agency leave policy and performsother duties as assigned. Employee must complywith the Texas Department of Health EmployeeImmunization Policy. Employee must providetransportation. If an employee operates apersonal or state motor vehicle in performanceof their official duties, the employee mustpossess a current Texas driver's license for theappropriate vehicle. In compliance with theAmericans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSagencies will provide reasonable accommodationduring the hiring and selection process forqualified individuals with a disability. If youneed assistance completing the on-lineapplication, contact the HHS Employees ServiceCenter at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contactedfor an interview and need accommodation toparticipate in the interview process, pleasenotify the person scheduling the interview.

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