Public Health Informatics and Data Exchange Health Informatics Specialist III

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Austin, TX

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

This position works in the Public Health Informatics and Data Exchange (PHID) Group and performs highly complex (senior-level) health informatics work and systems analysis of the National Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NEDSS). Work involves gathering, storing, analyzing, interpreting, exchanging, and managing healthcare data. Designs and maintains the NEDSS servers and applications, including management of Globalscape users and oversight of Rhapsody route development and deployment; and manages Power Shell scripts that control the movement of Electronic Lab Results (ELRs) files across the ecosystem. Prepare and update system and architecture documentation. Prepare, document, and implement project plans for system upgrades as needed. Facilitate strategic planning sessions and implement policy decisions in regard to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Texas statute. Work with the Information Security Office to maintain and enforce security for the NEDSS servers. Work with IT Data Center Services to review, update and document the disaster recovery plan for the NEDSS ecosystem. Oversees the coordination of data issues between multiple groups within multiple divisions of DSHS and external entities. Works under limited supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgement.

Requirements

• Knowledge and understanding of HL7 for the exchange, integration, sharing, and retrieval of electronic health information
• Knowledge of SQL and a common scripting language
• Knowledge of file movement, processing, and ETL (extract, transform, and load) solutions.
• Knowledge of software tools that support online public health data acquisition, entry, abstraction management, analysis, and reporting
• Knowledge of information security policies and procedures; and of record keeping, including security procedures for handling, protecting, and distributing confidential data
• Skill in the use of a computer and applicable software, in analyzing problems and devising effective solutions, in conducting data searches, in evaluating and translating large amounts of data, and in critical thinking
• Skill in ensuring the utilization of interoperable data standards for storage and transmission, and being able to find the relevant standards specifications as needed
• Skill in composing and managing systems development teams in a manner that demonstrates recognition of the appropriate roles and domains for computer scientists, epidemiologists, programmers and other information technology specialists in information systems development
• Skill in developing large software systems or software tools for system maintenance
• Ability to communicate effectively
• Ability to read third-party software technical documentation and apply that documentation to effectively configure and design add-on solutions to third-party software
• Ability to create processes to maintain electronic documents, including documented versions, dissemination methods, and relevant standards specifications
• Ability to participate in the development of data models to ensure the representation of epidemiologic needs in associated databases and information systems
• Ability to think logically and suggest multiple alternatives to problems and clearly document the pros and cons of alternative solutions
• Ability to develop new or enhance existing databases to support epidemiologic investigations, surveillance, etc.
• Bachelor’s degree (or higher) from an accredited four-year university/college is required, preferably with courses in business analysis, data management, information technology, computer science, database management, and administration, or other related fields.
• Experience with SQL.
• Experience with file movement, processing, and ETL (extract, transform, and load) solutions.
• Professional experience in an enterprise environment.
• Experience with developing large software systems or software tools for system maintenance.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with electronic data exchange nomenclature (e.g., HL7, LOINC, SNOMED-CT) preferred.
• Experience with Rhapsody, HL7, XML, VBA, or SQL preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assists in onboarding facilities to submit electronic laboratory data via Globalscape.
• Monitors users to ensure proper credentialing.
• Trains and educates users on the submission process and standards; assists them in analysis and problem resolutions pertaining to each; and evaluates the effectiveness of training.
• Assists in developing user guides and provides user training for proper and effective utilization of HL7, Electronic Laboratory Reporting (ELR), and Globalscape. Trains other NEDSS staff. Keeps informed on the latest developments in HL7, ELR, Globalscape, and MU standards. Ensures that appropriate HL7 and ELR management software is available and effectively used.
• Routinely monitor and evaluate division surveillance systems to ensure complete, accurate, and timely reporting of public health data.
• Uses highly specialized knowledge in analysis, requirement specification, programming, and system configuration in order to define and implement the details of the design solution.
• Works with interfaces that utilize and incorporate standardized health information exchange and vocabulary protocols.
• Leads specification definitions for complex reporting and data extract needs and will be able to clearly document needs that both business stakeholders and technical staff can understand and utilize to deliver timely solutions.
• Defines the extraction of health care data from conceptualization through defining data mining approaches and presentation of data.
• Provides consultation on the development of interoperability of other data collection systems with NEDSS with particular emphasis on the use of HL7 and Rhapsody.
• Interacts with program epidemiologists to ensure that NEDSS and Informatics program needs are met.
• Analyzes data exceptions and produces management reports.
• Communicates with the team lead on public health informatics issues.
• Provides consultation on interoperability emphasis on HL7 and Rhapsody.
• Communicate with the NEDSS users on a frequent basis to keep them informed on the status of NEDSS issues or requests; bridge the understanding between third-party vendors and the business user.
• Coordinates/communicates with IT support groups for problem resolution.
• Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligation for disaster response and/or recovery of Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment.

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).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level