Functional Title: HL7 Interface Analyst Job Title: Health Informatics Spec IV Agency: Dept of State Health Services Department: Ntnl Electrnc Disease Surv Stm Posting Number: 18573 Closing Date: 01/07/2027 Posting Audience: Internal and External Occupational Category: Computer and Mathematical Salary Range: $6,377.50- $8,581.66 Pay Frequency: MonthlySalary Group: TEXAS-B-26 Shift: Day Additional Shift: Days (First) Telework: Eligible for Telework Travel: Up to 5% 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

Job Description

This position works in the Texas NBS Public Health Informatics and Data Exchange (PHID) Group and performs highly advanced (senior-level) health informatics work and systems analysis of the NBS-National Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NEDSS). Work involves gathering, storing, analyzing, interpreting, exchanging, and managing healthcare data. Designs and maintains the NEDSS servers and applications, to include oversight of Rhapsody route development and deployment; and manage Power Shell scripts that control the movement of Electronic Lab Results (ELRs) files across the ecosystem. Prepare and update system and architecture documentation. Prepare, document and implement project plans for system upgrades as needed. Facilitate strategic planning sessions and implement policy decisions in regards to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Texas statute. Work with the Information Security Office to maintain and enforce security for the NEDSS servers. Work with IT Data Center Services to review, update and document the disaster recovery plan for the NEDSS ecosystem. Oversees the coordination of data issues between multiple groups within multiple divisions of DSHS and external entities. Works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Job Functions

(40%) Serve as technical Analyst to provide support and maintenance for the National Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NEDSS) and its ecosystem. Provides analysis and guidance to NEDSS users and relevant personnel in other department programs, local health departments, and health care facilities. Routinely monitor and evaluate division surveillance systems to ensure complete, accurate, and timely reporting of public health data. Assists in conducting annual communicable disease data close-out and reconciliation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Uses highly specialized knowledge in analysis, requirement specification, programming, and system configuration in order to define and implement the details of the design solution. Works with interfaces that utilize and incorporate standardized health information exchange and vocabulary protocols. Leads specification definitions for complex reporting and data extract needs and clearly document needs that both business stakeholders and technical staff can understand and utilize to deliver timely solutions. Defines the extraction of health care data from conceptualization through defining data mining approaches and presentation of data. Provides consultation on the development of interoperability of other data collection systems with NEDSS with particular emphasis on the use of HL7 and Rhapsody. Interacts with program epidemiologists to ensure that NEDSS and Informatics program needs are met. Analyzes data exceptions and produces management reports.

(35%) Assists, plans, assigns and monitors Public Health Informatics-related tasks. Prepare and present complex communications and/or reports on projects, assignments, and/or activities to all levels of staff up to and including executive management. Trains and educates program staff about HL7 and Meaningful Use (MU) concepts and standards, and assists them in analysis and problem resolutions pertaining to each, and evaluates the effectiveness of trainings. Develops user guides and provides user training for proper and effective utilization of HL7 and Electronic Laboratory Reporting (ELR). Keeps informed on the latest developments in HL7, ELR, and MU standards. Ensures that appropriate HL7 and ELR management software is available and effectively used.

(20%) Communicates with CDC on Public Health Informatics issues and serves as primary contact for the department. Provides consultation on interoperability emphasis on HL7 and Rhapsody. Communicate with the NEDSS Users frequently to keep them informed on the status of NEDSS issues or requests; bridge the understanding between third-party vendors and the business user. Coordinates/communicates with IT support groups for problem resolution.

(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 alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Registration, Licensure Requirement or Certifications:

N/A

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

Knowledge and understanding of HL7 for the exchange, integration, sharing, and retrieval of electronic health information

Knowledge of state, and federal laws related to disease reporting in Texas

Knowledge of software tools that support online public health data acquisition, entry, abstraction management, analysis, and reporting

Knowledge of information security policies and procedures; and of record keeping, including security procedures for handling, protecting, and distributing confidential data

Skill in the use of a computer and applicable software, in analyzing problems and devising effective solutions, in conducting data searches, in evaluating and translating large amounts of data, and in critical thinking

Skill in ensuring the utilization of interoperable data standards for storage and transmission, and being able to find the relevant standards specifications as needed

Skill in composing and managing systems development teams in a manner that demonstrates recognition of the appropriate roles and domains for computer scientists, epidemiologists, programmers and other information technology specialists in information systems development

Ability to communicate effectively

Ability to manage projects

Ability to read third-party software technical documentation and apply that documentation to effectively configure and design add-on solutions to third-party software

Ability to create processes to maintain electronic documents, including documented versions, dissemination methods, and relevant standards specifications

Ability to participate in the development of data models to ensure the representation of epidemiologic needs in associated databases and information systems

Ability to think logically and suggest multiple alternatives to problems and clearly document the pros and cons of alternative solutions

Ability to develop new or enhance existing databases to support epidemiologic investigations, surveillance, etc.

Initial Screening Criteria:

1. Graduation from an accredited college or university with receipt of a Bachelor's degree (or higher) Health Informatics, Computer Science, Public Health, or a related field.
2. 3+ years of experience working with ELR onboarding and/or maintenance at a state or local health department.
3. 1-3 years of work experience with Rhapsody or working to define specifications for Rhapsody developers.
4. Experience writing statistical and analytical programming code in SAS, SQL or Python.
5. Professional experience with Rhapsody, HL7, or FHIR certification is preferred.

Additional Information Section:

Applicants invited to an interview will be required to complete a skills test/in-basket exercise.

Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.

This position may require hours outside of the normal 8:00am to 5:00pm work schedule.

Salary Note: The salary offered will follow DSHS starting salary guidelines. Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds.

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/.