Review Vacancy

Date Posted: 01/14/22
Applications Due: 01/28/22
Vacancy ID: 97371

Position Information

AgencyHealth, Department of

TitleResearch Scientist 5 (Epidemiology) - 73333

Occupational CategoryOther Professional Careers

Salary Grade31

Bargaining UnitPS&T - Professional, Scientific, and Technical (PEF)

Salary RangeFrom $117762 to $143358 Annually

Employment Type Full-Time

Appointment Type Permanent

Jurisdictional Class Non-competitive Class

Travel Percentage 25%

Schedule

Workweek Mon-Fri

Hours Per Week 40

Workday

From 8:30 AM

To 4:30 PM

Flextime allowed? No

Mandatory overtime? No

Compressed workweek allowed? No

Telecommuting allowed? Yes

Location

County Albany

Street Address Division of Epidemiology - Bureau of Hospital Aquired Infections

1 Empire State Plaza, Corning Tower

City Albany

StateNY

Zip Code12237

Job Specifics

Minimum Qualifications A Master's degree in Biology, Public Health, Epidemiology, Infection Control, Statistics/Biostatistics, Biomedical Science, Environmental Health, Environmental Science, or a related field, and five years of post-degree professional research experience in the appropriate field; or a Doctoral degree in one of the above fields, and three years of post-degree professional research experience in the appropriate field.

Preferred Qualifications: Five years of professional work experience in epidemiology, communicable disease, public health, or preventive medicine within a health department, academic, or clinical setting, of which at least two years preferably would relate to healthcare-associated infections. Explicit training in healthcare epidemiology, training or experience in infection prevention and control (including familiarity with the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN)), and certification in infection control (e.g. CIC) are preferred. Experience conducting work as part of CDC cooperative agreements (such as the Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity cooperative agreement); conducting public health related research/studies and publishing findings; presenting to professional/scientific audiences; providing technical assistance and training to public health colleagues and external partners; and supervising staff are also preferred. Excellent verbal and written communication skills are crucial for success in this position.

Duties Description The Research Scientist 5 (RS5) will serve as Director for the Bureau of Healthcare Associated Infections (BHAI) and will provide administrative and technical management of the Bureau. BHAI is one of five Bureaus within the Division of Epidemiology and is responsible for the investigation, control, surveillance, and prevention of healthcare-associated infections, primarily within State-regulated facilities such as hospitals and nursing homes. The incumbent will provide leadership and direction to the Bureau’s three programs: healthcare epidemiology and infection control, hospital-acquired infection reporting, and a data unit. The incumbent will also assist with and oversee the provision of epidemiologic and programmatic guidance for regional staff and external partners such as local health departments and healthcare facilities. The incumbent will guide the Bureau’s research and public health research-like activities and provide direction and assistance to other Bureau staff. The incumbent will review technical documents, manuscripts, and projects for Bureau-level approval to ensure quality and suitability for higher-level approvals. The incumbent will supervise other Bureau staff.

Major Activities and Percentage of Time:

45% - Provide administrative oversight and technical supervision of the Bureau’s investigation, control, surveillance, and prevention activities; develop and implement programs’ objectives, goals, and priorities; deploy staff to address outbreaks or unusual occurrences; plan for public health threats that might impact healthcare-associated infections. Provide oversight to the Bureau’s hospital-acquired infection reporting program including development, implementation, evaluation, and modification; selection of indicators for public reporting; audits of hospital reporting; and generation of the public report. Provide oversight to the Bureau’s Data Unit, including allocation of work between various Bureau priorities. Provide epidemiologic, clinical, and general public health background for analyses.

30% - Oversee and conduct independent research, research-like public health projects, and other
scientific studies including hypothesis generation, data collection, data analysis and interpretation, and preparation of reports and manuscripts for publication in peer reviewed journals. Mentor other Bureau staff and students in epidemiologic research projects. Oversee and conduct innovative prevention projects and other special studies to reduce healthcare associated infections (HAIs). Assess the effectiveness of surveillance, investigative, and intervention methods used during outbreaks. Research and develop policy and clinical guidance, par documents for use by Department of Health senior staff, local health departments, and health care providers. Develop and issue RFA/RFPs to support contracted staff or activities as needed for Bureau activities. Pursue Federal funding opportunities to support ongoing state-wide HAI prevention initiatives.

20% - Serve as the primary healthcare-associated infections expert and liaison and provide epidemiologic and general public health consultation to hospitals, nursing homes, local health departments, and other healthcare settings on HAI prevention, control, and outbreak investigation activities. Foster collaborative relationships with public health, clinical, and other partners. Serve as an infection control and healthcare epidemiology consultant to Executive staff and other State and Federal agencies advising on critical healthcare issues.

5% - Participate in other Department responses and activities as needed

Additional Comments Permanent, full-time, non-competitive appointment. Occasional travel and overnights throughout New York State to areas not served by public transportation may be required.

Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.

Contact Information

Name Human Resources Management Group, BL/07333/RS5/BHAI

Telephone 518-486-1812

Fax 518-473-3395

Email Address resume@health.ny.gov

Address

Street RM 2217, Corning Tower Building, ESP

City Albany

State NY

Zip Code 12237

 

Notes on ApplyingSubmit resume and cover letter, preferably in PDF format, to resume@health.ny.gov, or by fax to (518) 473-3395 with Reference Code BL/07333/RS5/BHAI included in the subject line of your email or fax, or by regular mail to Human Resources Management Group, BL/07333/RS5/BHAI, Room 2217, Corning Tower Building, Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York 12237-0012. Failure to include the required Reference Code may result in a delay of processing your application. Resumes accepted until January 28, 2022.