NBS Health Informatics 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.

Review our Top 10 Tips for Success when Applying to State of Texas Jobs.

Functional Title: NBS Health Informatics Specialist 
Job Title: Health Informatics Spec III 
Agency: Dept of State Health Services 
Department: Ntnl Electrnc Disease Surv Stm 
Posting Number: 10584 
Closing Date: 03/09/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-24 
Salary Range: $5,425.33 - $7,405.00 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift: Days (First) 
Telework: Eligible for Telework 
Travel: Up to 10% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: AUSTIN 
Job Location Address: 1100 W 49TH ST (RBB) 
Other Locations:  
MOS Codes: 230X,41AX,70D 
 
 
 

Performs highly complex (senior-level) health informatics work, data analysis and data research on Electronic Lab Reporting (ELR) and Electronic Initial Case Reporting (eICR) to the Texas National Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NEDSS) Based System (NBS). Work involves conducting detailed analysis of and extensive research on ELR and eICR data, providing results, and monitoring and implementing data quality to ensure valid test results data is submitted. Provides guidance to others.  Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

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

(25%) Analyzes ELR and eICR data using standard statistical tools (such as SAS), methods, and techniques. Compiles and queries ELR and eICR data.  Identifies data gaps, errors, anomalies, inconsistencies, and redundancies by analyzing the content, structure, and relationships with data. Interprets results to identify significant differences in lab or eICR data. Identifies and interprets data patterns and trends and assesses data quality. Cleans and prunes data to discard irrelevant information. Performs quality assurance and serves as subject matter expert on data integrity, extraction, and compilation.  Conducts data integration (e.g., matching/merging records across complex data sources).

(25%) Performs onboarding activities, including screening, validation, and training for eligible hospitals and laboratories seeking to report to local and regional health departments via Texas NEDSS. Performs review and analyses of raw HL7 messages to identify data validity issues. Serves as subject matter expert on correct application of LOINC and SNOMED to ELR messages. Performs consultative work to convey detailed error analyses to submitters.

(20%) Consults with internal program areas within DSHS (Lab, Blood Lead Team, Cancer Registry, HIV/STD, and Emerging and Acute Infectious Disease), and external customers such as private and commercial laboratories, hospitals, and physician’s offices to identify user needs.  Prepares concise, comprehensive technical reports to present and interpret data, identify alternatives, and make and justify recommendations on data revisions.

(20%) Assists NBS technical team in defining, developing, and implementing data standards for accurate electronic data submission. Assists NBS Systems Analysts and NBS epidemiologists in developing data quality measures, analyzing data quality results, and implementing necessary changes to ensure ELR data quality improvement. Assists in developing software applications or programming within NBS to use for statistical modeling and graphic analysis on ELR data and lab testing. Contributes to maintaining updated Texas ELR Onboarding Guidelines, Texas ELR Implementation Guidelines, and Texas eICR Onboarding Guidelines.

(5%) Develops and implements databases, data collection systems, data analytics, and other strategies that optimize statistical efficiency and quality.

(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 obligation for disaster response and/or recovery of Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternative shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Position is eligible for part-time telework. Full-time telework is not available.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

Knowledge of reportable disease/health-related information systems; and of SAS, SQL, HL7 messaging and interfaces.

Knowledge of statistics and analyzing data sets, running queries, report writing, and presenting findings.

Knowledge of data models, database design development, data mining, and segmentation techniques.

Knowledge of record keeping, including security procedures for handling, protecting, and distributing confidential data.

Knowledge of epidemiology, medical or public health informatics, and disease surveillance.

Skill in analyzing problems and devising effective solutions.

Skill in conducting data searches, in evaluating and translating large amounts of data.

Skill in critical thinking for problem-solving.

Skill in multitasking priorities.

Ability to compile, review, and analyze data.

Ability to prepare reports, to maintain accuracy and attention to detail.

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Ability to lead, mentor, and provide guidance to other staff.

Ability to gather information from a variety of sources and synthesize and translate detailed information into simpler terms.

Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely orally and in writing.

Ability to develop and effectively deliver training and technical assistance about research/data methods, procedures, or policies.

Ability to plan, organize and conduct assigned phases of complex research projects.

Ability to interpret complex statistical data, charts, and tables

Ability to develop and analyze measuring instruments with respect to reliability, relevance, and validity.

Ability to formulate reasonable hypotheses and structure research designs to account for variables.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and work with others as part of a team.

Initial Screening Criteria:

MPH with two (2) years of experience in applied public health.

• Experience with electronic data exchange nomenclature (e.g., HL7, LOINC, SNOMED-CT).

• Experience with relational databases in manipulating, analyzing and visualizing data sets.

• Experience using analytic software SAS.

• Experience with SQL language. Preferred.

Additional Information

Position is eligible for part-time telework only. 

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