Systems and Communication Specialist - Health First Indiana Position

POSITION DESCRIPTION COUNTY OF VANDERBURGH, INDIANA POSITION: Systems and Communication Specialist JOB CATEGORY: VCHD 8 DEPARTMENT: Vanderburgh County Health Department – Planning and Analytics SUPERVISOR: Supervisor of Data Team DATE WRITTEN: March 2024 DATE REVISED: *Summary: * The Vanderburgh County Health Department’s mission is to build a healthier southwestern Indiana so everyone in can live their healthiest life.
Vanderburgh County Health Department is offering an outstanding opportunity as a Systems and Communication Specialist.
Come join our dedicated and mission-driven team, and you will enjoy excellent benefits and work/life programs, a superior retirement package, and the chance to see how your work directly improves the health of your community.
The Vanderburgh County Health Department has achieved Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) accreditation, distinguishing it as a top health department, and prides itself on providing a diverse and inclusive work environment with opportunities to grow and develop professionally.
*Location:* Vanderburgh County Health Department with potential travel to surrounding counties and others as needed.
*Definition: * The Systems and Communication Specialist provides informatics expertise and performs health informatics activities which require specialized knowledge and skills in both health and information technology, security standards, and communication methods such as social media and website development.
The Systems and Communication Specialist works with agency staff and vendors to identify agency needs for informatics, troubleshooting, and maintenance of systems; plan and manage the development, implementation, and maintenance of all Health Department systems such as the EMR, form building system, website, social media, and related informatics products; and ensures these products meet legal and security requirements.
Provides training for informatics solutions; assists in problem solving to promote the implementation of the system.
*Duties:* * _*Informatics Solution Design/Planning: *_Plans and manages development, implementation, and maintenance of public health information systems.
Designs, develops, selects, tests, implements, and evaluates new or modified informatics solutions/systems, and decision-support mechanisms to support staff and departments and their information management needs within various contexts.
Develops roadmaps/strategies to advance health information utilization within the Health Department.
May have specific focus on agency-wide informatics practices, such as interoperability across the agency, evaluating effectiveness of EMR usage, and maintaining equipment inventory and plans for future needs.
Evaluates current social media usage and develops a department wide strategy for communicating with the public via social media and website.
* _*Equipment Maintenance:*_ Maintains a list of all Health Department equipment and develops a plan for maintaining or replacing equipment as needed.
Prepares for new employees by ensuring all equipment is available and ordering if necessary.
* _*Business Analysis:*_ Conducts analysis of program operations and workflows where needed and assists with development of scope and specifications for system design and/or use cases.
Partners with informatics staff and other agency staff to gather and validate business requirements.
Researches business issues and assists in designing models that aid in analyzing those issues.
* _*Informatics/Technology System Implementation: *_Upgrades or replaces existing systems; trains, and provides assistance to public health informatics system users; tests system usability, evaluates usage, and identifies barriers and proposes solutions.
Assists with any testing of new system updates and enhancements and helps maintain system resources.
* _*Contract Management/Procurement: *_Leads or participates in the procurement, development, implementation, management, evaluation, and continuous improvement of public health information systems.
Manages resources and contracts for assigned areas of public health practice.
* _*Community relationships:*_ Works closely with key community leaders and internal and external partners to assess, manage, and communicate changes that are direct and indirect results of public health informatics activities.
Assume role of liaison between programs when issues are identified.
Communicate to staff and partners on new functionality of systems.
May serve as a liaison or provide leadership for eHealth initiatives, including health information exchanges (HIE) and efforts at the state, jurisdictional, or local level.
* _*Problem Solving: *_Troubleshoots issues in a timely fashion and minimizes disruption of data transmission.
* _*Project Management:*_ Serves as expert on the technology and systems used by the health department; manages informatics project portfolio and coordinates informatics priorities with the department.
* _*Training/Technical Support:*_ Conducts training and technical support for internal and external users.
Provides technical assistance and education to multiple internal and external partners on a variety of topics including e-health, e-vital records, and health equity, and standards and interoperability.
* _*Teamwork: *_Serves as a working member of the Planning and Analytics Division Team Members; participates in and contributes to committees and teams to support planning and policy.
* _*Communication/Public Speaking: *_Represents Health Department in meetings with other agencies, community-based organizations, or in the private sector; May present at local, state, and national conferences and meetings on a variety of topics including public health informatics, e-health as a tool to advance health equity, and informatics-savvy health departments.
Collaborates with Health Department divisions, staff, and external partners to ensure the department website includes the most updated information; Updates website as needed; Evaluates website analytics and makes recommendations for changes.
Coordinates with Health Department divisions, staff, and external partners to develop social media strategy, create and plan posts, and promote the mission/vision/values of the Health Department * _*Policy and Compliance: *_Adheres to and provides input on state and federal rules, mandates, guidance, and laws regarding data sharing, privacy, standards, and best practices.
* _*Quality Control: *_Creates test plans of new features and bug fixes and coordinates testing with users.
*Qualifications/Requirements:* * _*Minimum Qualifications: *_Bachelor’s degree in informatics, public health, health sciences, information technology, or a related field.
Specialized experience in system/process analysis, policy analysis, or similar work experience preferred.
NOTE: A range of technologies may be required depending on the position.
* _*Knowledge:*_ Systems management, quality, use and application.
Applicable federal and state laws, rules, policies regarding security, privacy, and management of confidential data.
Knowledge of HIPAA requirements.
Qualitative and quantitative techniques for analyzing and measuring program/project efficacy; project management disciplines and techniques.
Performance Management (PM), Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI), and Lean methodologies.
Knowledge of ethical principles to the collection, maintenance, use and dissemination of data and information.
Knowledge of how to maintain websites and social media accounts.
* _*Skills: *_Providing technical assistance to Health Department staff.
Communicating complex information to nontechnical audiences.
Interpreting and evaluating information.
Verbal and written communication.
Evaluation of systems, and projects; management of resources and contracts.
Website development and maintenance.
Social media usage.
* _*Abilities:*_ Plan, organize, and prioritize projects.
Evaluate information and make recommendations.
Assess departmental and end user information needs.
Communicate verbally and in writing to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Collaborate with IT and program staff to achieve shared goals.
Perform analysis and evaluation.
Engage with diverse audiences and community partners.
Demonstrate continuous effort to improve operations and streamline work processes.
Provide training to end users.
Apply ethical principles to the collection, maintenance, use and dissemination of data and information.
* _*Physical Requirements: *_This is largely a sedentary role, with most of the duties performed on a computer and phone.
This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets.
Desk and workspaces are able to accommodate a wheelchair_.
_ At community events, may: work in outdoor weather conditions; be required to communicate information and ideas so others will understand; move items up to 25 pounds.
Valid State of Indiana driver’s license required or must have the ability to procure transportation to off-site meetings and trainings.
* _*Background Check:*_ Pass a drug screen and criminal background check.
*Salary and Benefits:* * Our benefits make Vanderburgh County Health Department an exceptional place to work.
We offer: * Comprehensive benefits package, including: 5 vacation days after the first 6 months and 10 per year with expanded vacation after 5 years and 15 paid holidays annually; medical, dental, and vision coverage; disability insurance; life insurance.
* Workforce Development including ongoing training, and promotional opportunities * Flexible work hours; 40-hour work week with very occasional weekend assignments.
Full time, usual hours 8:00 a.
m.
– 4:30 p.
m.
, M–F, with lunch breaks.
May be required to work occasional evenings with the ability to flex these hours.
* A guaranteed pension plan after meeting pension benefit requirements, Public Employee Retirement Fund (PERF) * Opportunities for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program for eligible workers * Commitment to diversity, inclusion, equity, and welcoming environment.
Affirmative action commitment.
* Employees will receive fully funded trainings and certifications throughout their onboarding process and workforce development during their employment.
*Application Instructions:* * Apply via INDEED * Vanderburgh County Health Department is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals.
In keeping with our commitment, Vanderburgh County Health Department will take the steps to ensure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations.
Accordingly, if reasonable accommodation is required to fully participate in the job application or interview process, to perform the essential functions of the position, and/or to receive all other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Vanderburgh County Health Department at 812-435-2400 Job Type: Full-time Pay: $48,663.
00 per year Benefits: * 401(k) matching * Dental insurance * Health insurance * Health savings account * Life insurance * Paid time off * Parental leave * Vision insurance Schedule: * Monday to Friday Work Location: In person