HAI Epidemiologist/NHSN Lead (Public Service Administrator, Opt. 6C)

Position Overview

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is seeking an experienced epidemiologist to serve in the Healthcare Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance (HAI/AR) Program's Epidemiology Unit. This position leads initiatives related to Illinois data reported through the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) surveillance system for HAIs, drug-resistant organisms, and antimicrobial use. The epidemiologist supports health care facility mandatory reporting, ensures data quality, conducts analyses, and prepares data and surveillance reports for publication on the Illinois Hospital Report Card and Consumer Guide to Health Care.

Benefits Statement

As a State of Illinois Employee, you will receive a robust benefit package that includes the following:

• Flexible and hybrid work schedules are available in many program areas (when available and dependent upon position)
• Competitive Group Insurance benefits including health, life, dental and vision plans.
• Pension plan through the State Employees Retirement System
• Deferred Compensation Program – voluntary supplemental retirement plan
• Optional pre-tax programs -Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP) & Dependent Care Assistant Plan (DCAP)
• 10-25 days of paid vacation time annually (10 days for first year of state employment)
• 12 paid sick days annually which carryover year to year
• 3 paid personal business days per calendar year (pro-rated dependent on start date)
• 13-14 paid holidays per year
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave
• Employee Assistance Program and/or mental health resources

These are just a few of the many perks available to all State employees. For more information about our benefits please follow this link: https://www2.illinois.gov/cms/benefits/Pages/default.aspx

Essential Functions

• Conducts analyses of Illinois data gathered through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) on a variety of health care-associated infections (HAIs), drug-resistant organisms, and antimicrobial use.  
• Monitors data submitted to NHSN from Illinois facilities and serves as NHSN Administrator.
• Compiles analyzed HAI surveillance data and other HAI and safety/quality data for publication on the Illinois Hospital Report Card and Consumer Guide to Health Care.  
• Provides epidemiologic support for HAI prevention initiatives.
• Supports the goals and initiatives of the Division of Patient Safety and Quality. 
• Performs other duties as required or assigned that are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college with a minimum of 30 semester hours in  the physical and/or biological sciences. 
• Requires four (4) years of professional experience in applied epidemiology, bio-statistics, or in population or a related research field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Three (3) years of experience using SAS or other statistical programming language to conduct data analyses, apply statistical techniques, and build and maintain complex and efficient codes using SAS macros and multi-processing techniques.
• Two (2) years of experience synthesizing quantitative data, preparing reports, and presenting key findings for a variety of audiences.
• Two (2) years of experience related to healthcare-associated infections or other infectious diseases.
• One (1) year of experience with the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) reporting requirements.
• One (1) year of professional experience analyzing data from NHSN or comparable public health surveillance system.
• Two (2) years of experience with organizing and managing multiple assignments, with high attention to deadlines.
• One (1) year of experience with standard software applications, including Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires appropriate, valid driver’s license.
• Requires the ability to travel in the performance of duties.

*The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

About the Agency

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is tasked with the oversight of communities within Illinois to achieve and maintain optimal health and safety. With an annual budget of over $1.8 Billion in state and federal funds, 6 regional offices, 3 laboratories and over 1,400 employees, IDPH is equipped to fulfill its mission of protecting the health and wellness of the people of Illinois through the prevention, health promotion, regulation and control of disease and injury.