Palo Alto, CA: Epidemiologist, Healthcare-Associated Infections and Influenza Surveillance Systems, VA Palo Alto Health Care System

Department: Department Of Veterans Affairs
Agency: Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
Job Announcement Number:
08-275LM

Epidemiologist

SALARY RANGE: 126,420.00 - 149,000.00 USD per year OPEN PERIOD: Thursday, April 24, 2008
to Monday, May 05, 2008
SERIES & GRADE: GS-0601-15 POSITION INFORMATION: Full-Time Permanent
DUTY LOCATIONS: 1 vacancy - Palo Alto, CA
WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED:
Applications will be accepted from current and former competitive service Federal employees, and people eligible under special hiring authorities.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Healthcare-Associated Infections and Influenza Surveillance Systems (HAIISS), part of the Office of Public Health Surveillance and Research (OPHSR), is located at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System. OPHSR is a national field office under the direction of the Public Health Strategic Healthcare Group. The HAIISS fosters collaborative relationships in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and with other Federal and non-Federal partners within the domains of healthcare-associated infection surveillance, surveillance of influenza-like syndromes, and other relevant issues related to public health bio-surveillance and preparedness. The HAIISS works with OPHSR, VA Central Office and other Veterans Health Administration (VHA) program staff to implement and support VHA-wide surveillance and reporting for specific high priority healthcare-associated infections, organisms of epidemiologic significance, and monitoring of influenza-like illness and other biosurveillance activities utilizing electronic data extraction. The incumbent will be responsible for coordination of Center for Disease Control (CDC)/VHA collaborations with the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) system of healthcare-associated infection surveillance, and the BioSense system of syndromic surveillance for influenza and other infectious diseases of epidemiologic significance. As lead epidemiologist for HAIISS, and primary liaison with CDC, incumbent analyzes and evaluates NHSN and BioSense submitted VA data and develops, on a routine basis, reports that summarize important chronological and geographic trends in infections and syndromes of interest. Provides advice and input to collaborators within CDC and VHA on epidemiology research. Ensures the accomplishment of specific objectives needed to achieve the long-range goals of OPHSR. Implements programmatic, research and policy initiatives related to healthcare-associated infections and influenza research. Coordinates the design, development and implementation of technical infrastructure for the performance monitoring of participating VA facilities.



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