Publ Hlth and Prevent Spcl I - DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES

Job/Position DescriptionUnder the supervision of the PHR 2/3 Epidemiologist III, works under moderate supervision with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment to perform journey-level routine public health work for the Epidemiology Program. Assists in field surveillance activities and disease outbreak investigations. Performs data entry, sorting, and mailing of confidential laboratory and medical reports and clinical specimens. Disseminates information, maintains databases and filing systems. Provides epidemiological support to regional epidemiologists. Attends program meetings, takes meeting minutes and disseminates minutes to staff, as requested. Work involves consulting with local health agencies, physicians, government officials, and other stakeholders on the reporting, prevention, and control of diseases. Develops and disseminates educational and training materials, and public health information. Collects public health data for program initiatives. Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule. Must be able to independently travel throughout the State of Texas and out-of-state to complete essential job functions. This position is office-based unless a response requires mobile or remote work. Actively participates and/or serves in a supporting role to meet the agencyand#146;s obligations for continuity of operations activation during public health emergency response and recovery. Must comply with HHS, DSHS, Texas Department of Public Safety applicable policies/procedures/standards.Essential Job FunctionsAttends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned. Notifiable Condition Surveillance Correspondence and Database Coordination: Processes confidential disease reports from a variety of sources; enters them into the appropriate computer database; and forwards them electronically or by mail as appropriate; formats, prints and mails complex disease reports and program related correspondence using Microsoft Office products with intermediate to advanced proficiency. Assures confidentially of medical and other information in accordance with HIPAA and departmental policy. Abstracts, reviews and interprets medical information, including labs. Contacts physicians, hospitals, schools/universities, laboratories, and other stakeholders to identify and collect data for persons with specific symptoms or diseases. (45%) Programmatic Support: Attends and documents meetings and conference calls, provides written meeting minutes as directed by the program supervisor or program manager. Must be able to independently travel throughout the State of Texas and out-of-state to complete essential job functions. Assists in planning meetings, conferences and seminars. Routes calls from the public, physicians, hospitals, and others as appropriate. Relieves the front receptionist/switchboard as needed. Responds to routine inquiries regarding communicable disease surveillance for external customers (medical care providers, local health departments, etc.). Sorts and mails confidential medical and laboratory reports and laboratory specimens as appropriate. Operates and trains others in the use of office automation equipment/software and surveillance software; operates a document folder/inserter; uses Epidemiology databases in Microsoft Office products. Reviews and processes travel requests. Develops, coordinates, and maintains record keeping according to state retention schedules and paper filing syste https://jobshrportal.hhsc.state.tx.us/ENG/CareerPortal/job_profile.cfm?szOrderID=619762 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.