Public Health Epidemiologist Specialist Electronic Laboratory And Epidemiologist

Full job description Supplemental Information The Louisiana Department of Health is dedicated to fulfilling its mission through direct provision of quality services, the development and stimulation of services of others, and the utilization of available resources in the most effective manner.
LDH serves as a model employer for individuals with disabilities.
This position is located within the Louisiana Department of Health / Office of Public Health / Infectious Disease Epidemiology / Orleans Parish Announcement Number: OPH/CG/194754 Cost Center: Position Number(s): ********
This vacancy is being announced as a Classified position and will be filled as a Promotional appointment.

This position is open to permanent LDH Office of Public Health employees only.
No Civil Service test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy.

The Infectious Disease Epidemiology Section is responsible for tracking the causes and consequences of infectious diseases. The Section conducts surveillance activities to detect cases and identify trends and to institute appropriate intervention and follow-up control measures. This Public Health Epidemiologist Specialist position will be under the supervision of a Program Manager 2.

This Electronic Laboratory and Case Reporting Epidemiologist (ELCR Epi) will act as a liaison between the Infectious Disease Epidemiology Section and the Bureau of Infectious Disease Health Systems Program - Interoperability Team to ensure the electronic lab report (ELR) and electronic case report (eCR) data being received by BID Interoperability Team from all reporting healthcare providers and laboratories meet the needs and requirements of IDEpi for the purpose of conducting statewide infectious disease surveillance and case investigations. The ELCR Epi will conduct independent data analysis and receive feedback from ID Epi regional and program area epidemiologists to ensure the data meet data quality expectations and that ELR data and eCRs are routinely transmitted to IDRIS2, ID Epi's reportable disease surveillance system. The ELCR Epi will also participate in national efforts to improve surveillance data quality and utilization. The ELCR Epi will conduct the following activities:

30% Develop and implement processes to systematically monitor data quality of lab results submitted via ELR and case reports submitted via eCR using ELR and eCR interface programs as well as statistical software packages, to ensure all criteria are met for receiving the data elements required to allow for follow-up and investigations. Evaluate data quality of ELR and eCR messages to identify issues preventing error-free ingestion into surveillance systems. Track errors and analysis results for long-term evaluation and sharing with relevant stakeholders.

20% Communicate results of data quality analysis and error detection with BID Interoperability Team and ID Epi leadership. Ensure BID Interoperability Team understands issues and errors encountered and desired resolution. Respond to requests for additional information from BID Interoperability Team and data submitters so that issues are addressed timely, accurately, and completely. Inform ID Epi leadership of urgent or blocked issues to enable escalation of issues as necessary.

20% Collaborate with other ID Epi staff to ensure ELR and eCR data are meeting surveillance needs. Elicit feedback from regional surveillance epidemiologists on ELR/eCR issues or shortcomings. Work with program area epidemiologists to identify ELR/eCR gaps and optimize utilization of incoming data. Support ID Epi leadership in evaluating surveillance systems and practices to identify and address section-wide opportunities for efficiency and growth.

10% Develop and author reporting specifications in the Reportable Conditions Knowledge Management System (RCKMS), to ensure rules are set for which eCR documents are routed to OPH. Review reportable disease list to ensure all reportable conditions available in RCKMS are being reported to Louisiana. Assess performance of reporting specifications to optimize their sensitivity and specificity. Work with program area epidemiologists to evaluate and modify reporting specifications.

10% Attend seminars, team meetings, all-staff meetings, and other training sessions as required for maintaining professional expertise. Participate in national workgroups on ELR and eCR to stay aware of changing landscape and learn best practices to continuously improve implemented systems and processes.

5% Assist in performance metric monitoring and reporting related to ELR and eCR as required for federal funding sources. Provide data for completion of internal performance evaluation efforts.

5% Complete additional activities (surveillance, prevention, response, analysis) at the direction of the State Epidemiologist. Work within the Departmental mission of protecting and promoting health and ensuring access to medical, preventive and rehabilitative services for all citizens of the State of Louisiana.

Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.

* Resumes WILL NOT be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections on your application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete. *
A resume upload will NOT populate your information into your application. Work experience left off your electronic application or only included in an attached resume is not eligible to receive credit
For further information about this vacancy contact:
Ciera Green

LDH/HUMAN RESOURCES
BATON ROUGE, LA 70821

This organization participates in E-verify, and for more information on E-verify, please contact DHS at . Minimum Qualifications MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
A master's degree in epidemiology plus two years of professional level experience in epidemiology.
SUBSTITUTIONS:
A master's degree in public health, which included twelve hours in epidemiology, biostatistics, tropical medicine, maternal and child health, occupational health, international health, community health, or any combination, will substitute for the master's degree in epidemiology only.
A master's degree in nursing, a social science, a biological science, or a behavioral science, which included twelve semester hours in epidemiology and/or biostatistics or a combination, will substitute for the master's degree in epidemiology only.
A doctorate degree in veterinary medicine which included twelve semester hours in epidemiology and/or biostatistics or a combination, will substitute for the master's degree in epidemiology only.
A doctorate degree in epidemiology will substitute for all of the required experience.
NOTE:
Any college hours or degree must be from an accredited college or university.
Job Concepts Function of Work:
To manage the conducting and evaluating of epidemiological activities in one or more program areas related to collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data about health events in order to assess and help assure the health and safety of Louisiana citizens.


Level of Work:
Program Manager.


Supervision Received:
Broad review from a higher-level Public Health or Department of Health and Hospitals staff member.


Supervision Exercised:
Functional supervision may be exercised over lower-level epidemiologists, clerical staff, and/or students.


Location of Work:
Department of Health and Hospitals.


Job Distinctions:
Differs from a Public Health Epidemiologist by responsibility for developing statewide strategic plans for epidemiological approaches to one or more health care issues, such as Bioterrorism or HIV/AIDS.


Differs from a Public Health Epidemiologist Supervisor by absence of responsibility for direct line supervision of lower-level professional epidemiology staff.


Differs from a Public Health Epidemiology Manager by absence of responsibility for independently administering epidemiological activities.
Examples of Work Develops, implements, and maintains a statewide epidemiology program, including a surveillance system for one or more specific health care issues.


Interprets, analyzes, and evaluates surveillance data using statistical computer programs.


May be a team leader, collaborating with others to accomplish specific epidemiological tasks.


Participates in the formulation of statewide policies and programs to prevent the spread of disease, injury, disability, etc.


Assists in the preparation of grant proposals to present to various funding agencies for public health activities.


May respond to news media at the local, state, or national levels.


May serve on national or multi-state teams or task forces for epidemiology dealing with threats across state boundaries.


Plans and coordinates epidemiological services in health emergencies (in an assigned specialty area or areas) as needed to insure and maintain community public health or when requested to do so by the Governor.