Healthcare-Associated Infection (HAI) Prevention Program Data Specialist

• Provide technical assistance via teleconferencing, in person or web-based training, to facilities regarding the system requirements for reporting data into NHSN, and application of NHSN HAI and AU/AR modules within specified formats of Clinical Document Architecture.
• Create PowerPoint presentations for facilities involved with the collaborative to explain and review the HAI activities as defined by the HAI program manager.
• Assist with conducting and analyzing assessments of AU/AR data with participating facilities in the carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) collaborative.
• Ensure facilities participating in collaboratives report HAI and AU/AR data (infection and laboratory) monthly both to NHSN and to DOH for the duration of the collaborative, through monthly teleconference check-ins, or as requested.
• Establish priority metrics and priority regions, determined through data analysis, for areas of concern regarding CRE, multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO), and C. difficile (CDI) measures using Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance and data for action.
• Review and report existing stewardship practices/programs and record findings by geographic regions of the state and type of facility using existing NHSN survey data and/or electronic laboratory reporting (ELR) data to the HAI program.
• Create dashboards and data alert processes to enable staff at the state and county level to review and act upon data received through all data sources, following the HAI outbreak module, relating to HAI and AR.
• Establish access following CDC guidance to NHSN infection data and AU/AR data (e.g., Data Use Agreement [DUA] or other mechanism), and other relevant data (e.g., electronic laboratory reporting data from National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS)) for review of HAI and MDRO data.
• Review and validate facility data following ELR-NHSN guidance to ensure accuracy in pass-through reporting.
• Monitor ELR feeds and NHSN data daily for signs of potential MDRO and CDI outbreaks and increased incidence, according to CDC guidelines and Standard Infection Ratios.
• Using CDC NHSN and ELR resources, review data for all facilities reporting HAI and ELR data and create reports from the analysis looking for outliers as defined by CDC, missing submissions from facilities, or other anomalies in trended data according to CDC standards from facilities.
• Assess regional risk factors and areas of concern using multiple data sources from public health and health care facilities, for HAI and AR using NHSN guidelines.
• Assist the HAI program by performing analysis of NHSN data, using the Standardized Infection Ratios (SIRs), monthly, quarterly, and as requested to produce health care associated infection (HAI) reports, AU/AR reports, and facility-level analysis, following CDC NHSN recommendations for analysis and data for action.
• Assist HAI team by running monthly and quarterly NHSN-driven Targeted Assessment for Prevention (TAP) reports for facilities, counties, and regions of the state using TAP Report function available in NHSN.
• Using NHSN resources evaluate annual survey data and its impacts according to CDC standards on the Standardized Infection Ratio (SIR) for year-end reports and program planning, reports are shared with the HAI program.
• Using NHSN data shared under the DUA, review and report to the HAI team monthly, quarterly, and yearly, the data elements contributing to the Standardized Infection Ratios (SIRs).
• Incorporate Bureau of Public Health Laboratories (BPHL) CRE testing into existing ELR feeds for enhanced reporting using NHSN guidelines on CRE isolates within the state.
• Create and distribute data quality reports based on ELR data entry, to ensure reliable, accurate and timely laboratory testing and reporting, for submission to laboratories quarterly.
• Create reports by region, county and facility to be able to track and trend data for prioritization of technical and quality assurance activities and collaboratives.
• Perform 6-month data checks on surgical site infections (Colon and Hysterectomy) and Lab ID CDI measures following NHSN guidance.

• MPH or equivalent degree in epidemiology or a health-related field, or a bachelor's degree in public health or alternate degree in a health-related field with sufficient work experience.
• Three years of working with the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) patient safety component.
• One year of experience working within NHSN’s Antibiotic utilization/antibiotic resistance (AU/AR) modules.
• One year of experience applying NHSN surveillance definitions.
• Three years of experience in educating health-care professionals on the use of NHSN modules and application of surveillance definitions.
• Three years of experience in infection prevention and control principles, using nationally recognized guidelines.
• Three years of experience with data analysis and data visualization skills and a firm understanding of public health surveillance, syndromic surveillance, and surveillance system evaluation methodologies.
• Two years of experience using data analysis software such as Statistical Analysis Systems (SAS), Statistical Package for the Social Scenes (SPSS), Access, and Structured Query Language (SQL).
• Certified Microsoft Office Specialist.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

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