- Agency
- Dept of State Health Services
- Location
- El Paso, TX
- Job Category
- Full Time Positions
- Salary
- $3,520.33 - $4,633.50/mo
- Last Date to Apply
- until filled
- Website
- https://jobshrportal.hhsc.state.tx.us/ENG/careerportal/Job_Profile.cfm?szOrderID=441988&szReturnToSearch=1&&szWordsToHighlight=
- Description
- Job Description: Program Specialist III Under the supervision of the Communicable Disease Program Manger and direction from the Regional Zoonosis Control Veterinarian, conducts epidemiological investigations of reported cases of zoonotic disease and provides comprehensive consultative and technical services to appropriate groups. Maintains relevant databases and participates in educational programs. Participates in Zoonosis Control functions, including but not limited to inspections, surveillance, disaster response, rabies biologicals, animal control ordinances and oral rabies vaccination program. Works with limited supervision with moderate latitude for initiative and independent judgement. Essential Job Functions: Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned. (45%) Epidemiology: Investigates directly, or in coordination with local health departments, human and animal zoonotic disease incidents, according to agency procedures. Investigation may include: obtaining disease reports; referring disease reports to appropriate jurisdictions and monitoring for case resolution; seeking input from medical professionals; reviewing patient medical records; interpreting laboratory reports; interviewing patients; visiting and evaluating sites where transmission may have occurred; collecting and submitting laboratory specimens; and counseling patients and their contacts. Prepares epidemiological reports in program-specific electronic [including National Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NEDSS)] and hard copy formats, according to confidentiality and legal standards. Evaluates completed zoonotic disease investigation reports from local health department staff and determines if the illness meets the case definition. Develops and maintains electronic databases and/or spreadsheets on investigations. Analyzes data and prepares reports enumerating trends and conclusions and recommendations. Educates human medical and veterinary professionals about disease reporting. Creates maps of surveillance and or epidemiological data using mapping software. Provides training and technical assistance to local health department staff for zoonotic disease case investigations and reporting. (30%) Disease Prevention and Control: Provides highly complex and comprehensive consultative services and technical assistance to human health care professionals, veterinarians, public health officials, law enforcement officials, rabies control authorities, animal control officers, government officials, and citizens to develop, plan, implement, and monitor programs on a broad range of subjects linked to public health. Consultative services encompass issues that include, but are not limited to, human and animal rabies risk assessment, human rabies biologicals administration, vector-borne and zoonotic disease inquiries, zoonotic disease reporting, Texas Health and Safety Code explanations, animal impoundment facility design and management, local ordinance review, and animal control officer and rabies control authority education. Assures distribution of human rabies biologicals by: maintaining adequate supplies of biologicals in the Zoonosis Control Program (ZCP) regional office and in depots throughout the region; consulting with patients and physicians concerning risk assessment of exposure incidents by discussing the species of the animal, quarantine or laboratory testing of the animal, vaccination status, prevalence of rabies in the area, circumstances surrounding the exposure incident, severity of the exposure, and other important factors. Works with community and professional groups to coordinate, improve, and stimulate interest in the ZCP’s mission and in local public health and rabies control programs. (10%) Technical: Provides highly complex and comprehensive consultative and technical services to animal welfare groups, agriculture workers, wildlife biologists and rehabilitators, the public and others regarding zoonotic disease-related issues. Represents the ZCP to local health departments, local government officials, animal control departments, veterinarians, educational institutions, state and federal agencies and others to share information and promote Zoonosis Control programs. Develops, prepares, and distributes technical information to stakeholders by a variety of modalities. Conducts inspections and reviews of rabies quarantine and animal impoundment facilities to determine compliance with state regulations. Verifies corrective action for violations as necessary. Reviews pre-construction blueprints for rabies quarantine facilities and suggests revisions as necessary. Prepares and assists in the preparation of administrative reports and technical projects and presents the findings verbally or in writing. Works with program staff on a regional, inter-regional, and statewide basis to resolve technical problems. Collaborates with Regional Zoonosis Control Veterinarian to prepare recommendations and justifications for changes in procedures for technical projects at regional, inter-regional, and/or statewide levels. (5%) Surveillance: Coordinates with and assists the Regional Zoonosis Control Veterinarian with the planning, development, and implementation of the regional zoonotic disease surveillance program. Develops, promotes, coordinates and/or conducts surveillance activities for zoonotic and vector-borne diseases which may require the use of kill traps and/or firearms. Processes biological specimens and performs diagnostic tests according to proper procedures and infection control techniques. Maintains inventory of surveillance equipment and supplies. Develops and maintains electronic databases and/or spreadsheets for storage and analysis of regional surveillance data. Studies, analyzes, and monitors surveillance data in relation to program goals and provides input to the Regional Zoonosis Control Veterinarian regarding modification of regional surveillance strategies. Prepares reports, presentations, and maps summarizing disease surveillance data. Enters surveillance data into the statewide database. (5%) Education: Helps develop goals and objectives for health education programs related to prevention and control of zoonotic diseases. Prepares and presents educational programs about zoonotic diseases and related subjects to a wide range of audiences utilizing various forms of media. Participates in the development and preparation of training materials, course syllabi, conference displays, newsletters, and special publications. Provides educational materials to individuals and organizations. Organizes, coordinates, conducts, and assists in instructing Animal Control Officer training courses and Local Rabies Control Authority seminars. Provides training to stakeholders on animal control, disease surveillance, collection and submission of laboratory specimens, rabies control, quarantine, and other topics. Establishes procedures and assembles data for planning, carrying out, and evaluating these public health educational programs. Maintains an adequate stock of appropriate pamphlets, brochures, and handouts, and compiles reference materials to assist stakeholders. (5%) Special Projects: Serves on the Zoonosis Control Investigation Team. As such, participates in statewide field training opportunities, disease outbreak responses, and investigation follow-ups. Participates, as needed, in the annual implementation of the Oral Rabies Vaccination Program. Serves in other capacities on an ad hoc basis as instructed, e.g. support of research projects and participation in all-hazards planning, preparedness, response, and recovery. May serve as the Regional Zoonosis Control Team Leader in the absence of the Regional Zoonosis Control Veterinarian. Compliance with DSHS Immunization Policy required: serologic evidence of immunity to, or documented evidence of vaccination against, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chickenpox), Tdap, annual vaccination against influenza (and hepatitis B if applicable).
- Qualifications
- Knowledge Skills Abilities: Knowledge or ability to gain knowledge of: Departmental programs, policies, and procedures Statutes and rules administered by the Zoonosis Control Branch; prominent among those is the Rabies Control Act Availability of community resources to aid in the development of zoonosis control programs Knowledge of: Etiology and dynamics of rabies and other zoonotic diseases Current social, economic, and public health problems Consultative, educational, investigational (human and animal disease), and surveillance techniques Tick and mosquito ecology; collection techniques and proper submission procedures for medically important arthropods and animals Basic medical terminology Project management Mechanisms for developing and conducting training and educational programs aimed at the control and prevention of rabies and other zoonotic diseases. Skill in: Use of computers and software, including software for word processing, spreadsheet, database, internet, e-mail, GIS, presentations, and mapping Telephone interview techniques, consultations, case investigations, and medical records review Writing and editing concise reports using appropriate software Public speaking before professional and lay audiences Use of trapping and collection equipment and Global Positioning Systems (GPS) units Ability to: Analyze and evaluate public health needs and implement projects to control zoonotic diseases Gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts and devise solutions to problems Work independently and exercise sound judgement Establish and maintain effective working relationships, deal tactfully with the public, and communicate complex information effectively (orally and in writing) to people of all ages, educational levels, backgrounds, and disciplines Pursue multiple projects simultaneously, and plan, establish, and meet project deadlines Harvest arthropod, avian, and mammalian specimens from a variety of natural and man-made habitats and environmental conditions Obtain biological specimens through dissection, swabbing, and/or blood collection and process specimens for storage and proper shipment. Develop and provide training programs and demonstrate effective presentation skills Conduct investigations of zoonotic diseases Perform rabies risk assessments for incidents involving human or animal exposure scenarios Travel Registration or Licensure Requirements: A valid Texas driver’s license. Initial Selection Criteria: Bachelor or Master’s degree in a biology related major preferred Work experience providing consultation and technical assistance Experience with Epidemiology related data analysis, including statistic preferred English and Spanish fluency preferred
- Job Number
- 148
- Contact Person
- AccessHR Service Center
- Contact Phone
- 888-894-4747