Responsibilities for this position will include two distinct roles.
(1) The individual in this position will investigate and respond to healthcare acquired infections (HAI) in medical settings, developing/coordinating/conducting local public health surveillance activities of HAIs, analysis of surveillance data, interpretation of findings, and utilizing surveillance data to improve health outcomes through communication and collaboration.
(2) The individual in this position will also lead DOH Sarasota data analysis responsibilities. Major position duties will include providing data analysis services for all divisions within DOH Sarasota and Sarasota community partners and stakeholders.
The position provides leadership, direction, and epidemiologic capacity during public health investigations, and is involved in forming partnerships to increase the capacity of the health department to monitor, improve, and maintain community health.
I. Healthcare acquired infection (HAI) Investigations A. Focusing on nursing homes and long term care facilities (LTCF), conducts reportable disease and condition investigations, surveillance and reporting. B. Works with nursing home staff to increase capacity for disease surveillance by designing, implementing and maintaining surveillance systems for both communicable and chronic diseases using existing sources of data as well as determining new sources of incidence, prevalence, and risk factor data. C. Directs epidemiology investigations of HAIs in coordination with the DOH Sarasota Medical Director, Division of Communicable Disease and Data Analytics and the Division of Environmental Health personnel to investigate and respond to public health threats. D. Determines effectiveness of healthcare acquired infection interventions and prevention programs through program evaluation, and provides changes and recommendations as appropriate. E. Provides infection control risk assessments (ICRA) to nursing homes and LTCF, individually or in partnership with FDOH regional HAI team. F. Working with DOH Sarasota epidemiology and communicable disease staff develops agency guidance documents and notifications for nursing home/LTCF health professionals. G. Analyzes data to assist management in the delivery of optimal guidance and decision making processes H. Acts as the main point of contact between the Bureau of Epidemiology and the local CHD on issues related to HAIs.
Data Analysis A. Works to increase local capacity for data analysis by utilizing existing data sources to identify, analyze and interpret patters and trends in complex data sets that may be helpful to DOH Sarasota or community partners in the identification, description and response to issues of public health interest. B. In partnership with DOH staff and community partners investigates, analyzes and interprets data to identify patterns and trends. C. Develops and presents reports to DOH Staff, community partners and stakeholders summering analyzed data of public health concern. D. Designs, implements and maintains surveillance systems for issues of public health concern or interest. E. Utilizes data analysis software (which may include: SAS, SPSS, R, EpiInfo, Excel) to perform analysis to assess quality and meaning of data. F. Utilizes spatial and temporal statistical methods. GIS analysis and other appropriate methods may be used to systematically monitor community health. G. Provides advice on the interpretation and implications of statistical analysis, data and program evaluations regarding recommendations for decision-making purposes regarding public health services.
III. Miscellaneous Activities A. Attends team meetings, Health Department staff meetings and participates in staff development activities when appropriate. B. Works with local public health planning and other DOH Sarasota personnel to assure the timely creation of public health preparedness plans for high priority public health planning issues. C. Maintains client confidentiality in a manner consistent with Florida Statutes and DOH policy. D. Performs related duties as necessary with adjustable scheduling.
