Job/Position DescriptionEpidemiologist IIUnder supervision of the Healthcare Associate Infection (HAI)/Antimicrobial Resistant (AR) Investigations Group Manager, serves as subject matter expert and performs senior-level epidemiological work related to the reporting, prevention and control of HAI/AR. The HAI/AR Epidemiologist collaborates with other HAI Epidemiologists of the Healthcare Safety Unit, assigned DSHS Public Health Regions (PHRs) and local health departments (LHD). Plans, coordinates and conducts epidemiological surveillance and investigations of HAI/AR. Conducts infection control assessments in healthcare facilities to evaluate their infection prevention and control (IPC) programs, and provides 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 HAI/AR, 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. Provides recommendations to Manager on budget, grants, contracts, staffing needs, policies and procedures. May be deployable to PHRs within the state to assist, as needed.Essential Job Functions50% Epidemiologic investigations and facility assessmentsPlans, coodinates and conducts epidemiological surveillance projects, infection control assessments, and investigations of HAI/AR infections in healthcare facilities. Investigations could include infectious disease outbreaks, medical product or device contamination, infection control breaches, transplant or tranfusion related infections, bloodborne pathogen exposures, and outbreaks related to healthcare facility environment. Coordinates investigations and reporting of AR organisms with healthcare facilities, local and regional health departments, CDC, and other internal and external stakeholders. Reviews medical records and abstracts relevant information. Coordinates provision of epidemiological and laboratory resources to support investigations. Provides epidemiologic consultation to infection preventionists, public health department epidemiologists, medical professionals, and other stakeholders. Communicates investigation findings and recommendations to relevant stakeholders. Develops, reviews and updates HAI and AR investigation guidelines and resources. Conducts data entry and ensures accuracy, precision, completeness, timeliness, and fidelity of data collected during epidemiological investigations and data entered into the National Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NEDSS). Provides assistance to other epidemiologists within the state, as needed. 30% Leadership and educationHelps achieve the HAI/AR Investigations Group's goals and objectives. Serves as a HAI/AR subject matter expert. Mentors and trains local and regional health department epidemiologists, infection preventionists, interns, fellows and other HAI/AR Epidemiologists. Assists with the HAI/AR Investigations Group's grants, including writing work plans, making recommendations for budgets, carrying out and tracking activities, and reporting milestones and performance measures. Man https://jobshrportal.hhsc.state.tx.us/ENG/CareerPortal/job_profile.cfm?szOrderID=611237 Copy the URL in the preceding sentence to an Internet Explorer browser to apply to the job directly through the Texas Health and Human Services Career Portal.