Reference #: 4351788THE POSITIONThis position allows you the option of reporting to our office in Harrisburg, Reading or Greensburg, Pennsylvania.

　　Are you searching for a challenging and rewarding career serving community health? The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH), Bureau of Epidemiology, is actively recruiting for the position of Epidemiology Research Associate. The ideal candidate supports the Healthcare Associated Infection Prevention and Antimicrobial Stewardship Section (HAIP/AS) mission of protecting the public's health through its responsibility by validating healthcare associated infection data reported to national and state databases, identifying common reporting mistakes, and training healthcare facility staff to improve the accuracy of reported healthcare associated infection data. If you are interested making a difference in public health while earning a great salary and benefits, apply today and check out everything that a position with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania can offer you!

　　DESCRIPTION OF WORKAs an Epidemiology Research Associate, you use the external validation toolkit from the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) to develop a workplan to validate healthcare associated infection events reported to the NHSN and Pennsylvania Patient Safety Reporting System (PSRS). You define and track performance measures to monitor progression of the project through each step in the workplan.

　　You work with colleagues to identify and contact facilities that have incomplete, missing, untimely, or inaccurate data in the NHSN, PSRS or other database that HAIP/AS section uses. You also work with colleagues to develop, implement, and evaluate training sessions for healthcare staff to enhance their ability to submit complete, accurate, timely, and consistent data to the NHSN and PSRS.

　　In addition, you develop and disseminate correspondence with healthcare facilities to describe the validation project to potential facilities, to announce the selection of the facilities into the project, to instruct the facilities to transfer medical records to the department, and to share the conclusions of the project. You also develop and maintain expertise as it relates to healthcare associated infection events reported to NHSN and PSRS. This includes the application of event definitions to medical records, methods to determine how patient days, admissions, and encounters are calculated, how facilities should perform surveillance for healthcare associated infections, and which facilities are required to report events to NHSN and PSRS.

　　Additional details regarding the duties of this position may be found in the .

　　Work Schedule and Additional Information:

　　Full-time employment, 37.5-hour work weekWork hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday to Friday, with 60-minute lunch.Telework: Under the current Administration, this position may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection.  If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office.Salary:In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Please check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.  REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITYQUALIFICATIONSMinimum Experience and Training Requirements:One year of professional experience performing public health or environmental health epidemiological investigations or studies, or designing and managing a disease surveillance system; and a master's degree that includes or is supplemented by six credits in epidemiology, environmental health, statistics, or research .Other Requirements:is currently waived for this title.You must be able to perform essential job functions.How to Apply:Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and he information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).This posting requires submission of a copy of your college transcript(s).  Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.  You may upload your document as an attachment during the application process.  You must still complete the application and answer the supplemental questions.  All documents MUST be uploaded prior to the submission of your application.Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.Veterans:

　　Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. *7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to and click the Veterans' Preference tab or contact us at .Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

　　711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

　　EXAMINATION INFORMATION

　　Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.Your score is valid for this specific posting only.You must provide complete and accurate information or:your score may be lower than deserved.you may be disqualified.You may only apply/test once for this posting.Your results will be provided via email.

　　The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.