Healthcare Safety Program Specialist

DSHS is committed to hiring skilled and dedicated individuals who share a passion for public health to pursue our vision of A Healthy Texas. If you are looking to make an impact and tackle new challenges, we encourage you to consider a career with us.

Employee Benefits:

DSHS offers insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS). To learn more about all the benefits available to you as a DSHS employee and other DSHS opportunities for early career pathways, visit the DSHS Careers Page.

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Functional Title: Healthcare Safety Program Specialist 
Job Title: Program Specialist I 
Agency: Dept of State Health Services 
Department: HAI Quality Assurance 
Posting Number: 20339 
Closing Date: 02/18/2027 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Life, Physical, and Social Science 
Salary Range: $3,581.33 - $4,476.83 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-17 
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift:  
Telework:  
Travel: Up to 10% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: AUSTIN 
Job Location Address: 1100 W 49TH ST (DHT) 
Other Locations:  
MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS 
 
 
 

Do you have a "can do" attitude, are a team player, enjoy working in a dynamic department, and want to be a part of the fascinating field of Infectious Disease Prevention in healthcare settings? If yes, join our team of forward-thinking public health and medical professionals working toward improving the health of Texans. 

Under the supervision of the Healthcare Safety (HCS) Data and Training Group Manager, the Program Specialist I, will complete technical assistance work involving planning, coordinating, developing, reviewing, and implementing grant activities, in coordination and support of Healthcare Safety Unit (HSU) staff subject matter experts and Team Leads. Serves as HCS program liaison for Antimicrobial Use/Antimicrobial Stewardship grant milestones and tasks. Supports activities in obtaining access to new data sources to provide actionable data relating to antibiotic stewardship (e.g. Medicaid antibiotic use data). The Program Specialist I helps to coordinate and handle planning and logistics for various meetings, conferences and special events. Responds to incoming questions and concerns from healthcare facilities and the public regarding Healthcare Safety training events and works closely with other members of the Healthcare Safety Unit on program initiatives. Serves as a liaison with the DSHS Communications Office and Office of Academic Linkages. 

Essential Job Functions:

Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

(30%) The AS Team will hold an HSU orientation on AS’ mission and projects annually. Serve as liaison between the DSHS AS team and local health departments, HAI epidemiologists, and lead epidemiologists for all 8 public health regions. Serve as the Project Lead for the Antimicrobial Use/Antimicrobial Stewardship Facility Assessments. Correspond with facilities statewide and their Antimicrobial Stewardship Committees to schedule assessments, take meeting notes, create assessment reports, and distribute completed reports back to facilities. Coordinate and track documentations related to facility contacts. Plans and coordinates trainings and other events for local and regional health jurisdictions and healthcare facilities across multiple healthcare settings via virtual or in-person meetings and training events. Monitors and responds to inquiries and concerns from healthcare facilities, health department staff and the public regarding training-related activities and projects.

(30%) Review AU and Core Elements of AS uptake data annually. Work with the AS Lead to share data findings with community partners to determine community-specific responses to improve AU and AS. Complete non-regulatory AS Assessments (using ICAR) in Texas healthcare facilities to measure and analyze AU and Core Elements of AS. Update and maintain accurate data as needed. Create graphs to illustrate correlation between facilities meeting some or all Antimicrobial Stewardship Core Elements and multiple data points. Assists in updating National and Texas data obtained from the CDC’s Antibiotic Resistance Patient Safety Portal (ARPSP) relating to Antibiotic Stewardship and Antibiotic Use. Develops awareness materials such as flyers, posters and social media posts for Healthcare Safety Training initiatives.

(25%) Review the Patient Safety Atlas and NHSN AU Option annually to guide data-driven strategies and provide evidence for alignment of DSHS and key stakeholder initiatives to improve AU practices, policies, education, and awareness. Provide technical and administrative support for the antibiotic stewardship workshops and committee meetings, prepare and submit continuing education applications, coordinate development and distribution of surveys and marketing materials, support development of workshop materials, and moderate workshop question and answer sessions. Collaborates in the planning, development, implementation, analysis, and documentation of the Healthcare Safety Training program.

(10%) Assist Multi-Drug Resistant Organism surveillance by entering Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) data into the National Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NEDSS). Approve/reject CRE cases in NEDSS based on set criteria. Provides support for ARLN coordination. Collaborates with DSHS Social Media/Communications Office and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as needed, to develop and coordinate the distribution of marketing and advertising materials. Works with other Healthcare Safety Unit staff to complete joint program projects including creation and maintenance of the external Healthcare Safety webpage.

(5%) Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.  

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

None

Knowledge Skills Abilities:

• Knowledge of office administration and management techniques.
• Knowledge of laws and rules relating to infectious disease and the ability to provide administrative support for antibiotic stewardship program area.
• Knowledge of the resources and functions of related agencies and organizations.
• Skill in the use of personal computer and windows-based software, including Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, etc.
• Ability to express ideas clearly, accurately, concisely and diplomatically, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to handle sensitive information in a confidential manner.
• Ability to interact well with other agencies, private organizations, and the public and work independently, exercising sound judgement.
• Ability to present technical information and to write concise reports.
• Ability to interpret administrative and operating procedures from all levels of the organization.
• Ability to establish, maintain, and create excellent working relationships when appropriate.
• Ability to analyze and solve work problems and make recommendations on necessary changes.
• Ability to plan, organize and implement multiple projects, working within strict timelines.
• Ability to effectively work with local and regional health department staff, health care professionals and local government officials.  

Initial Screening Criteria:

1. At least 2 years relevant experience in office administration and management techniques.
2. At least 2 years relevant experience in data entry and use of Microsoft office software.
3. At least 1-year relevant experience working in a healthcare-related program.  

Additional Information:

• Knowledge and prior use of the National Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NEDSS) or any other similar surveillance system is preferred.
• This position will work in person at the DSHS Central Office campus on 1100 W. 49th Street, Austin, Texas 78756 office (not negotiable); work schedule currently includes working in person 2-3 days per week and teleworking the other days; subject to change if mandated by State or DSHS Leadership.
• Must have experience with or demonstrate potential to work with diverse teams in positive workspace.

Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified for this position. For more information see the Texas State Auditor’s Military Crosswalk at https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions/.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), DSHS will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring process for individuals with a qualifying disability. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the interview process, please notify the person who contacts you to schedule the interview. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747 or via email at HHSServiceCenter.Applications@ngahrhosting.com.

Salary Information, Pre-employment Checks, and Work Eligibility:

• The salary offered will follow DSHS starting salary guidelines. Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds.
• Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.
• DSHS uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.  Download the I-9 form