Public Health Nurse

DSHS is committed to hiring skilled and dedicated individuals who share a passion for public health to pursue our vision of A Healthy Texas. If you are looking to make an impact and tackle new challenges, we encourage you to consider a career with us.

Employee Benefits:

DSHS offers insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS). To learn more about all the benefits available to you as a DSHS employee and other DSHS opportunities for early career pathways, visit the DSHS Careers Page.

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Functional Title: Public Health Nurse

Job Title: Nurse III

Agency: Dept of State Health Services

Department: HAI Quality Assurance

Posting Number: 16753

Closing Date: 11/09/2026

Posting Audience: Internal and External

Occupational Category: Life, Physical, and Social Science

Salary Range: $5,425.33 - $7,155.75

Pay Frequency: Monthly

Salary Group: TEXAS-B-24

Shift: Day

Additional Shift:

Telework: Eligible for Telework

Travel: Up to 10%

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Full Time/Part Time: Full time

FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt

Facility Location:

Job Location City: AUSTIN

Job Location Address: 1100 W 49TH ST (DHT)

Other Locations:

MOS Codes: 290X,46AX,46FX,46NX,46PX,46SX,46YX,66B,66C,66E,66F,66G,66H,66N,66P,66R,66S,66T,66W

General Job Description:

Advanced (senior-level) public health work related to healthcare safety and infection control, with a focus on antimicrobial stewardship (AS) and antimicrobial resistance in healthcare, including proper and improper antimicrobial use, mechanisms of antimicrobial agents and resistance, lab tests and interpretation, and AS programming. Tasks also include work with federal- and state-mandated reporting of preventable adverse events (PAEs), healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), sharps injuries, bloodborne pathogen exposures, and multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs). Represents the program as subject matter expert and public speaker on PAEs, HAI case definitions, AS, sharps injuries, and reporting processes. Leads or assists on investigations of unusual PAEs and/or HAIs. Coordinates, plans, and monitors public health education and surveillance data processes, interpretation, and implementation of findings. Provides consultative services, legislative guidance (e.g., bill analyses, budget feedback), technical assistance, and public speaking. Supervises and monitors healthcare safety data reporting processes and procedures. Leads AS grant responsibilities (including writing and reviewing grant application materials, milestones, and updates), overseeing the timely progress of AS grant activities and regularly providing leadership updates. Under the general supervision of the Healthcare Safety Unit (HSU) Director and the Data and Training Group Manager, Nurse III also oversees or leads projects across HSU teams using evidence-based, accessible, and clinically sound methods. Duties performed under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties, as assigned.

Essential Job Functions (EJF):

(35%) Healthcare Safety Clinical Expert and Educator. Represents the program as clinical subject matter expert and educator for infection prevention and control, including antimicrobial stewardship (AS; essential to this position), preventable adverse events (PAEs), healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), sharps injuries, bloodborne pathogen exposures, multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs), and other clinical topics as needed. Develops and leads regular multi-media training for internal and external stakeholder audiences on topics related to healthcare safety clinical and/or empirical expertise, including representing Texas at occasional conference and workshop attendance (1-3 times annually in Texas and/or US). Monitors and evaluates the effectiveness and impact of educational activities. Serves as the lead on implementation and ongoing management of complex AS program initiatives, including work in the community with healthcare facilities, the public, Texas Leadership, and national authorities like CDC. Independently performs public speaking and assists with planning and organization of healthcare safety meetings, conferences, and seminars. Develops and oversees coordination of AS projects related to grant milestones. Coordinates the development and monitoring of federal grant applications for new and ongoing programs, monitors assigned contracts and implements new legislation for the HSU. Uses excellent critical thinking skills to solve complex issues.

(25%) Healthcare Safety Mandate Processes and Implementation. Serves as HSU public health liaison and subject matter expert on patient safety and healthcare safety reporting, providing consultative services and technical assistance on program specifics and requirements to the public, professional organizations, local and regional health departments, government agencies, community organizations, and healthcare facility staff using detail-oriented, reliable, and professional communication and organization methods. Formulates and develops technical, public-facing written policies and procedures for PAE reporting using the Texas Healthcare Safety Network (TxHSN). Collaborates with epidemiologists and Texas employees developing plans for surveilling, evaluating, enhancing, and supporting activities focused on the prevention and control of HAIs and PAEs in healthcare. Reviews and updates case definitions and case scenarios for PAEs. Ongoing analyses and monitoring of healthcare safety data for accuracy and impact. Evaluates PAE reporting to identify and correct common errors in reporting. Develops plans and recommendations to improve compliance with reporting rules. Monitors and manages reporting processes and procedures for PAEs including bloodborne pathogen exposures as mandated by the Texas Health and Safety Code (Chapter 98 and Chapter 81). Coordinates with partner agencies on regulatory topics and quality assurance. Evaluates and recommends courses of action for the Texas Administrative Code (TAC) (Chapter 200 and 96). Maintains knowledge and understanding of the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) by participating in ongoing training and update calls/meetings.

(25%) Technical Writing (Reports, Guidance Documents, Grants, Legislative Responses). Prepares detailed, highly professional, and accessible (plain language, accessibility requirements) administrative healthcare safety documents and reports for high visibility and high-profile audiences. Assists in coordinating, writing, and reviewing infection control guidelines, data reports, surveillance. Assists with monitoring and responding to data and open records requests. Communicates professionally and effectively with local, regional, state and federal agencies and key partners. Reviews and analyzes federal and state legislation to determine impact on healthcare safety reporting and assists in preparation of associated budget requests. Consults with national organizations (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC; Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, AHRQ; Council for State and Territorial Epidemiologists, CSTE), healthcare facilities, professional organizations, and state agencies involved with healthcare safety reporting and prevention to develop standards, formulate policy, resolve problems, identify training needs, and discuss program effectiveness.

(10%) Notifiable Conditions and Multidrug-resistant Organisms (MDRO). Coordinates, plans, and monitors public health education in support of MDRO/AR surveillance and reporting, including but not limited to entering data, making case status determinations and performing quality assurance review for cases entered in NEDSS. Uses MDRO/AR knowledge to inform AS activities. Follows standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the National Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NEDSS). If applicable, may work on notifiable condition guidelines, alerts, reporting, and tracking.

(5%) Other Duties as Assigned. These tasks include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a lead or supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern of assignment and/or locations. In emergency or acute scenarios, may serve as Lead or primary coordinator of Unit or Agency projects, including tasks associated with legislation, disease outbreak, clinical consultations, and/or congregate settings infection control.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Must be licensed as a registered nurse by the State of Texas or a state that recognizes reciprocity through the Nurse Licensure Compact. Preferred: Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) and/or Certification in Infection Control (CIC). If no CIC at time of hire, must earn CIC within first 6 months of employment.

Knowledge Skills Abilities:

Knowledge

• Infectious disease clinical and empirical expertise.
• Expertise and clinical experience in AR and/or stewardship (bonus: AR and/or AS research, and policy).
• Knowledge of state laws and rules regarding HAIs, bloodborne pathogen exposures, and PAEs.
• Knowledge of HAIs, infection prevention measures, and patient safety standards and interventions.
• Knowledge of NHSN's surveillance definitions and data requirements.
• Knowledge of PAEs or serious adverse events in healthcare
• Knowledge of infectious diseases and public health surveillance.
• Knowledge of healthcare safety prevention and control measures.
• Knowledge of data quality control and management practices.
• Knowledge of plain language methodologies.

Skills

• Skilled in completing detailed tasks ensuring 100% accuracy.
• Skilled developing collaborations with public health-related partners, including internal and external stakeholders.
• Skilled at being detail-oriented and organized, while multitasking under a deadline.
• Skill writing and presenting to high profile scientific and non-scientific audiences.
• Skill in investigation and surveillance of healthcare safety data.
• Advanced skill with statistical analysis and interpretation.
• Skill using Word, Excel to analyze data, and PowerPoint.
• Skill implementing healthcare quality improvement and management.
• Skill with project management.

Abilities

• Ability to plan and direct programs and to communicate effectively.
• Ability to collect and analyze statistical/epidemiologic data and make recommendations based on findings.
• Ability to present statistical and technical data clearly and concisely.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work effectively as a team member with state, regional and local health department personnel, and private sector professionals.
• Ability to communicate with the media and the public.
• Ability to interpret antimicrobial resistance results and reports and provide expert clinical recommendations.
• Ability to organize and maintain complex records and files.
• Ability to establish measurable and well-defined goals and objectives.
• Ability to think analytically and teach analytical thinking skills to staff.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with team members and work through conflict.
• Ability to lead teams, train others, and delegate effectively.
• Ability to manage time effectively, prioritize assignments, and manage the time-sensitive and high visibility workload of the position.
• Ability to interpret data, develop effective operating procedures, and presentations.
• Ability to organize and present information effectively, oral and written.
• Ability to comprehensively and accurately evaluate reports.

Initial Screening Criteria:

1. Masters/Doctorate in nursing or related degree with at least 2 years professional experience in healthcare, public health, academia, or state government;

OR-

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in nursing or from an accredited nursing program with at least 3 years professional experience in healthcare, public health, academia, or state government.

2. Infectious disease professional experience (per application).

Additional Information:

This position requires in-person work at least 2 days weekly in the DSHS Central Office (1100 49th St.) location in Austin, TX (no expectations). May allow some teleworking, pending successful job duties.

Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified for this position. For more information see the Texas State Auditor's Military Crosswalk at https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions/.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), DSHS will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring process for individuals with a qualifying disability. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the interview process, please notify the person who contacts you to schedule the interview. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747 or via email at HHSServiceCenter.Applications@ngahrhosting.com.

Salary Information, Pre-employment Checks, and Work Eligibility:

• The salary offered will follow DSHS starting salary guidelines. Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds.
• Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.
• DSHS uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 form