Program Specialist IV

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Austin, TX

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Under the direction of the HIV Epidemiology and Surveillance Group Manager and the HIV Monitoring and Reporting Team Lead, the Program Specialist IV performs highly complex (senior-level) consultative services and technical assistance work supporting local and regional health department HIV Surveillance staff and programs.  Performs a variety of tasks related to the reporting and case validation of HIV investigational data, including database maintenance, report tracking, data entry, and quality assurance. Acts as the primary point of contact and overseer for contracts and case reporting from assigned local and regional health department jurisdictions. This position will aid in development of short-term, mid-term and long-term goals and objectives, and the development of standards for achieving strategic operational goals. Exercises independent judgment and professional discretion with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment to administrate, advise, plan, and coordinate duties.

Requirements

• Knowledge of word processing, database software applications, and spreadsheet software applications.
• Knowledge of infectious disease control or disease surveillance.
• Knowledge of HIV control and/or reporting.
• Skill in organizing and interpreting data, preparing reports, delivering public health information in presentations.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to work with others to resolve complex issues.
• Graduation from a four-year college or university with major course work in social sciences, public health, public administration, or related field.
• Four years of experience in applicable public health programs, such as chronic or infectious disease may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis.
• Experience with the development, data extraction, and maintenance of databases.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with public health, surveillance and infectious disease control preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provides consultative services, technical assistance, and program information to regional and local HIV registry sites in accordance with state and national goals to ensure the accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of data gathered during HIV investigations.
• Coordinates the instate and interstate communications, Out of State Record Searches (OOS), Cumulative Interstate Duplicate Review and Routine Interstate Duplicate Review, necessary to ensure the reporting and investigation of HIV cases which transverse state boundaries are complete, timely, accurately capture case history, and do not overcount the total number of people with HIV at a national level.
• Manages database workflows and provides guidance, training and technical assistance on the review and monitoring of workflows at surveillance sites, ensuring data are entered meeting federal and state requirements.
• Verifies entered HIV data by reviewing, correcting, deleting, or reentering data collected from medical records and other sources; combining data from multiple systems and multiple data sources when reporting information is incomplete; purging files to eliminate duplication of data.
• Supports epidemiologists by researching and resolving aberrant data findings and records while understanding the reporting limitations of the data collection process.
• Participates in CDC site visits and trainings as appropriate. Prepares data and objectives for grant applications, annual progress reports, and interim progress reports.
• Performs other duties as assigned, including but not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations Planning (COOP) activities. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

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