Job Title: Epidemiologist III
Organization: Texas Department of State Health Services
Number of Openings: 1
Location: Austin, TX
Compensation: $4,441.16 to $6,480.67
Position Description. Position will serve as the coordinator for the State System Development Initiative Grant. Performs highly advanced professional research and epidemiological work requiring specialized knowledge of specific health and behavior related topics about women, infants and children. Emphasis on the integration and management of data and data systems. Functions as lead for data integration tasks, development of strategic initiative pertaining to the improvement of data and data integration, and the review of existing data systems. Work includes developing and/or refining theoretical concepts; developing and implementing algorithms for the linking of administrative data sets; using deterministic and probabilistic matching and other tools to aid data integration; coordinating studies; collecting, analyzing and evaluating data; and communicating results to different audiences. Develops and directs grant-funded projects; generates scientific publications, public health reports and presentation of completed work to agency/program management; and, when appropriate, presents at scientific conferences. Work is performed under limited direction with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Reports to the Manager, Office of Program Decision Support.
Essential Functions. (40%) – Initiate, plan, develop, and direct highly advanced epidemiologic studies using integrated data. Use a variety of advanced study designs, data analysis techniques, and biostatistical tests. Develop definitions and protocols to ensure consistent use of the data and a strong methodological framework to ensure high scientific standards and data quality. Apply highly advanced epidemiologic concepts to answer epidemiologic questions across administrative data sets and state agencies. Develop and promulgate findings and their impact on public health policy and practice to prevent or control public health problems. Suggest implications and identify possible strategies and actions to operationalize results to improve health and prevent disease. May require working in and leading teams. (20%) – Lead the data acquisition and matching processes. Identify the best methods for data linkages (probabilistic or deterministic) between administrative data sets. Identify and review policy and legal obstacles that prevent data integration and develop solutions. Use SAS or other appropriate software to routinize matching processes throughout DSHS and between state agencies and increase matching efficiency. Work with other divisions, sections, or agencies to identify opportunities for data integration which may entail creating or augmenting data collection and/or developing strategic plans for data integration. (20%) – Initiate, plan, develop, and direct the State System Development Initiative (SSDI) Grant and integration of administrative data sets within and between state agencies in support of specific health system capacity indicators listed in the Title V MCH Block Grant. Determine project feasibility. Complete continuation application and competitive grant applications. Provide recommendations on budget, project goals and objectives, and staffing and software needs. Make recommendations for staffing associated with the SSDI application and identify staff with whom to collaborate and involve on project committees. Prepare and disseminate articles, papers, and reports on the outcomes and utility of data linkages for publication, in-house distribution and to support program management and others DSHS activities. (10%) – Provide operational manuals/reports of the matching process for each project that will include a detailed methodology, description of project strategies and approaches, matching procedures, statistical programs used, and documentation of the algorithm development. Reports will inform internal staff, legislators, and the general public. This technical documentation will serve as educational materials for local, state, and federal leaders seeking to duplicate the processes implemented by this position in Texas. The position will need to present findings to participating agencies, scientific peers, and other interested parties.
(10%) – Develop and assist with the development of protocols to improve data quality and usability. Develop policies that guide the data matching process and usage, both internally and externally, of the linked data in compliance with local, state, and federal confidentiality rules. Review information collection systems to identify and suggest improvements to increase the use of data to benefit programs. Review and monitor information infrastructure. Identify opportunities to improve data collection and report creation. Develop web-based data collection applications.
Qualifications. Knowledge of: the techniques used in the integration of data; the array of principles and theories associated with public health informatics; the development of algorithms for the matching of administrative data sets; the development of processes to improve and routinize data integration; the principles of probabilistic and deterministic matching; total quality management/continuous quality improvement concept; scientific research methods, principles, and philosophy; statistical concepts and methods and their application to research analysis; software applications to aid in linking and how these are applied; computer software statistical package applications (SPSS, SUDAAN, SAS), word processing (WordPerfect, Word), spreadsheet (Excel), graphics (Power Point, Harvard Graphics), geographical information systems (ArcView) and database (Access).
Skills: strong leadership skills; strong communication and writing skills; development of procedures to monitor and evaluate progress in achieving project objectives, including feedback to policy makers to provide input into the ongoing research process; strong project management skills to organize major project activities into a logical sequence with a reasonable and achievable schedule of deadlines; strong oral communication skills to facilitate meeting agendas to achieve planned outcomes, and to convey planning alternatives or recommendations to a variety of audiences including DSHS staff, the public and decision makers; strong technical writing skills to clearly and succinctly communicate project/research information for correspondence with state and federal agencies, grant applications and plans, state rules and planning procedures.
Abilities: to work independently; to gather information from a variety of sources and to synthesize and translate detailed information into simpler terms; to express ideas clearly and concisely orally and in writing; to apply the principles of information integration to match administrative data sets; to plan, organize and conduct assigned phases of complex data improvement and integration projects; to use the Internet for data collection when appropriate; to interpret complex statistical data, charts, and tables; to develop and analyze measuring instruments with respect to reliability, relevance, and validity; to formulate reasonable hypothesis and structure research designs to account for variables; to communicate effectively; to establish and maintain effective working relationships and to work with others as part of a team.
Closing Date: None
Desired Starting Date:
Application Web Address: AccessHR or Google “AccessHR”
