Program Specialist - Infection Prevention

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About Duke University Hospital

Pursue your passion for caring with Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, which is consistently ranked among the best in the United States and is the number one hospital in North Carolina, according to U.S. News and World Report for 2022-2023. Duke University Hospital is the largest of Duke Health's three hospitals and features 1048 patient beds, 65 operating rooms, as well as comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, including a regional emergency/trauma center, an endo-surgery center, and more. Discover what makes Duke University Hospital unique and how you can advance your career as part of the team.

JOB SUMMARY

The Public Health Epidemiologist is a qualified epidemiologist who aids the Infection Control Director in con­ducting activities for early detection of illnesses of Public Health importance.

This employee is a part of a network of public health epidemiologists working in the leading hospitals of North Carolina.

MAJOR JOB FUNCTIONS

The following is a summary of the major essential functions of the job.  The incumbent may perform other duties, both major and minor, that are not mentioned below; and specific functions may change from time to time.

Surveillance, detection, and monitoring of communicable diseases

• Conduct active surveillance for admitted patients with suspected or confirmed cases of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV)
• Conduct Multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) in children case surveillance and reporting
• Conduct respiratory and emerging pathogens surveillance and reporting
• Review collected surveillance data weekly with the Director of Infection Control, the Public Health Epidemiologist Program Director, and appropriate Local health department staff.
• Conduct syndromic surveillance in the ED patient population for syndromes in accordance with syndrome definitions and mechanism for reporting by the NC Division of Public Health. 
• Facilitate sentinel Respiratory surveillance, respiratory pathogen specimens submission to the NC State Lab for Public Health, and
• case investigation

Assist local health departments (LHDs) with public health investigations  

• Work closely with the local health departments. Reports cases to the appropriate County Health Departments and the Communicable Disease Branch of the NC Division of Public Health using a standard case investigation approach provided by the NC Division of Public Health.
• Serve as a consultant to LHDs regarding public health issues

Enhance communication among clinicians, hospitals, and the public health system.

• Promote close working relationships within the health system, local health departments, regional and local emergency planning, and public health.
• Educate clinicians regarding diseases of public health importance.
• Present departmental and hospital public health educational programs.

Assists in conducting epidemiological studies recommended by the NC Division of Public Health.

Attend Hospital Infection Control Committee Meetings.

Attend appropriate local/state health department meetings.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION AND FORMAL TRAINING

Work requires analytical, communications and organizational skills generally acquired through completion of a bachelor's degree program with one year of experience in program administration or event production.

-OR-

Two years of postsecondary education with three years of experience in program administration or event production.

OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Preferred: Graduate of a clinical training program (e.g., nursing, medical technology) with current licensure in North Carolina. Certification in Infection Control through the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. or Master of Public Health preferred.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Preferred: Two years of Infection Control nursing, Medical technology, or Public Health experience is recommended.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

Clinical experience with ability to review medical records and correlate data required.  Must have a reasonable working knowledge of the principles of epidemiology and infection control.  Must be able to communicate well with physicians, managers, employees, and patients.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Must be able to see, hear, read and have manual ability to use telephones, video equipment and computer.  Must be able to move throughout all departments of the Medical Center and effectively communicate orally to patients, family members, personnel, and physicians. 

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essentialjob functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.