Clinical Informatics Specialist

About the role

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

The position is part of the Data Operations unit, which creates and maintains processes and tools supporting data quality monitoring, data system governance and access, data sharing between partners, and streamlined federal reporting. The role requires strong programming (SQL, R, and/or Python) and/or informatics knowledge to support data analysis, database design, and data quality assurance and improvement projects. The incumbent will collaborate with multidisciplinary CDPH teams and external partners to advance the CDPH mission of prevention and control of communicable diseases.

The CDC’s Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases (ELC) cooperative agreement funds this position. The Informatics Branch manages, analyzes, and reports on data from systems including laboratory testing, cases, vaccinations, genetic testing, and hospitalizations.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development, implementation, and maintenance of enhanced infectious disease public health surveillance projects.
• Improve interoperability of CDPH data systems and integrate these solutions with local health jurisdictions (LHJs) and other public health partners to enhance surveillance of reportable infectious diseases.
• Facilitate electronic collection, storage, and transfer of data relevant to infectious disease surveillance and epidemiology.
• Participate in complex data analysis, database design, and data quality assurance and improvement projects.
• Develop applications and tools to monitor and govern pipelines and data systems.
• Create protocols and guidelines and provide technical assistance to support local health jurisdictions, community-based organizations, clinical partners, and other CDPH programs in data modernization.
• Innovate new solutions to address stakeholder needs.

Requirements

• 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 in statistical analysis, database management, and systems programming, including SQL, R, and/or Python.
• Broad or in-depth knowledge of clinical, health systems, health analytics, or public health informatics.
• Thorough knowledge of relevant clinical or public health informatics software and systems, and of the complex concepts, principles, policies, methodologies, techniques, best practices, regulations, and standards 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 interventions, and develop effective solutions.
• Ability to collect and analyze system performance data and produce substantive reports and analyses.
• Strong problem-resolution skills, with the ability to diagnose problems and develop, test, and implement timely solutions.
• 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 on functionality, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, policy, and performance.
• Strong ability to communicate complex information clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in computer science, informatics, public health, biostatistics, epidemiology, or related field, 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 manage time, complete projects, organize competing priorities, and address complex, urgent issues.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate productively, work in a team environment, and train and support clinical informatics users at all professional and technical levels.
• Ability to think creatively to recommend action steps or strategize solutions for public health surveillance, epidemiology, informatics, program evaluation, or research.
• Demonstrated proficiency in logical data design, data warehouse design, data integration, and data modeling.

About Us

The 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. IGHS integrates UCSF expertise in health, social, and biological sciences to address pressing global health issues. It collaborates with partners worldwide to achieve these aims and is committed to ensuring a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment while working toward becoming an anti-racist organization. Learn more about our anti-racism efforts.

The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is a leading university focused exclusively on health sciences, dedicated to advancing health worldwide through biomedical research, graduate-level education, and excellence in patient care. UCSF brings together global experts in nearly every area of health and is home to five Nobel laureates who have advanced understanding in cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, aging, and stem cells.

UCSF is committed to the PRIDE values: professionalism, respect, integrity, diversity, and excellence. The university strives to build a broadly diverse community, nurture a welcoming and supportive culture, and engage diverse ideas for culturally competent education, discovery, and patient care.

Pay

The final salary and offer components are subject to additional approvals based on UC policy. Placement within the salary range depends on work experience and internal equity within the position classification at UCSF. For represented positions, placement is guided by collective bargaining agreements. Learn more about UCSF benefits and total compensation.