Clinical Informatics Specialist

Job Summary:

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Center for Infectious Diseases (CID) Informatics Branch is recruiting for a Clinical Informatics Specialist III to join an exciting team developing innovative solutions to strengthen CDPH’s public health data ecosystem. The incumbent will join the  team developing innovative informatics and public health data collection, management, and analysis systems, and identifying and implementing strategies for improving existing public health surveillance data systems and infrastructure.

Responsibilities will include:

• Contributing to the development, implementation, and maintenance of enhanced infectious disease public health surveillance projects.

• Improving interoperability of CDPH data systems and integrating these solutions with local health jurisdictions (LHJs) and other relevant public health partners to improve surveillance of reportable infectious diseases.

• Facilitating electronic collection, storage, and transfer of data relevant to infectious disease surveillance and epidemiology.

• Participating in complex data analysis, database design, and data quality assurance and quality improvement projects.

• Developing applications and tools to facilitate monitoring and governance for pipelines and data systems

• Developing protocols and guidelines and providing information and technical assistance to support local health jurisdiction, community-based organization, clinical, and other CDPH program partners in their application data modernization.  

• Innovating new solutions to address stakeholder needs

The incumbent will join the Data Operations unit. This unit is responsible for creating and maintaining processes and tools which support data quality monitoring, data system governance and access, sharing data between partners, and streamlined federal reporting. This position requires strong programming (SQL, R, and/or Python) and/or informatics knowledge to support data analysis, database design, and data quality assurance and quality improvement projects. The position will interact and collaborate with several multidisciplinary CDPH teams as well as other internal and external partners as they contribute to the CDPH mission of prevention and control of communicable diseases.

Department: 

UCSF Institute for Global Health Sciences (IGHS) is dedicated to improving health and reducing the burden of disease in the world’s most vulnerable populations. It integrates UCSF expertise in all of the health, social, and biological sciences, and focuses that expertise on pressing issues in global health. IGHS works with partners in countries throughout the world to achieve these aims. IGHS seeks to improve health worldwide, especially in developing countries, through research that informs policy. 

 IGHS is committed to ensuring a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment as we work towards becoming an anti-racist organization. We strongly encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds. Please see our statement on anti-racism here: https://globalhealthsciences.ucsf.edu/about-us/diversity-equity-and-inclusion/statement-structural-racism. 

The CDC’s Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases (ELC) cooperative agreement provides funding to CDPH to improve detection, prevention, and response to the growing threats posed by infectious diseases through enhanced surveillance, prevention, intervention, communications, coordination, and partnerships. Staff hired through ELC contribute to infectious disease work across the Center for Infectious Disease (CID) in CDPH. This specific position will join staff in the Informatics Branch of the Division of Communicable Disease Control. The scope of the Informatics Branch’s work includes managing, analyzing, and reporting on data from many systems including laboratory testing, cases, vaccinations, genetic testing, hospitalizations, and more.

Responsibilities

DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Identify the functions or tasks that employees in the job perform. The essential functions should state the purpose of the work and the results to be accomplished, rather than how the function is performed. Of the tasks listed, what percentage of time is devoted to each? The more time employees spend on a function, the more likely it is that the function is essential. Generally, include those functions that account for 10% or more of the work, i.e., key items that contribute significantly to the achievement of the job.  The functions should add up to 100%.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in public health, health care information technology, computer science, or related area, and / or equivalent combination of experience / training PLUS either 3 years’ of experience in computer or data pipeline programming and database management, OR 3 years working in public health
• Strong skills associated with statistical analysis, database management and systems programming, including SQL, R, and/or Python.
• Broadly encompassing or in-depth knowledge of clinical, health systems, health analytics, or public health informatics.
• Thorough knowledge of all relevant clinical or public health informatics software and systems, and of the highly-complex concepts, principles, policies, methodologies, techniques, best practices, regulations, and standards practices involved with health systems, health analytics, public health surveillance or electronic medical data management.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to quickly analyze problems, determine appropriate level of intervention, and develop and apply effective solutions, collect and analyze system performance data, and produce substantive reports and analyses
• Strong problem-resolution skills, with the ability to quickly diagnose problems, and develop, test, and implement appropriate and effective solutions in a timely manner 
• Ability to work with senior staff and managers in clinical information technology, health care management, and business analytics, serving as a technical resource and providing advice and counsel on issues of functionality, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, policy, and performance
• Strong ability to communicate complex information in a clear and concise manner both verbally and in writing.

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in computer science, informatics, public health, biostatistics, epidemiology or epidemiology and biostatistics and / or equivalent combination of experience / training PLUS either 1 year of experience in computer or data pipeline programming and database management, OR 1 year working in public health
• Detail oriented, with proven ability to effectively manage time, see projects through to completion, organize competing priorities, and effectively address complex, urgent issues as they arise
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate productively, work in a team environment, and to train and support clinical informatics users at all professional and technical levels throughout the medical center
• Strong ability to think creatively to recommend action steps or strategize solutions relative to public health surveillance, epidemiology, informatics, program evaluation, or research.
• Demonstrated proficiency relating to logical data design, data warehouse design, data integration, and data modeling.

About UCSF

The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is a leading university dedicated to promoting health worldwide through advanced biomedical research, graduate-level education in the life sciences and health professions, and excellence in patient care. It is the only campus in the 10-campus UC system dedicated exclusively to the health sciences. We bring together the world’s leading experts in nearly every area of health. We are home to five Nobel laureates who have advanced the understanding of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, aging and stem cells.

Pride Values

UCSF is a diverse community made of people with many skills and talents. We seek candidates whose work experience or community service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to professionalism, respect, integrity, diversity and excellence – also known as our PRIDE values.

In addition to our PRIDE values, UCSF is committed to equity – both in how we deliver care as well as our workforce. We are committed to building a broadly diverse community, nurturing a culture that is welcoming and supportive, and engaging diverse ideas for the provision of culturally competent education, discovery, and patient care. Additional information about UCSF is available here.

Join us to find a rewarding career contributing to improving healthcare worldwide.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

Salary Information

The final salary and offer components are subject to additional approvals based on UC policy.

Your placement within the salary range is dependent on a number of factors including your work experience and internal equity within this position classification at UCSF. For positions that are represented by a labor union, placement within the salary range will be guided by the rules in the collective bargaining agreement.

To learn more about the benefits of working at UCSF, including total compensation, please visit: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html