Sr. Specialist, GH- Informatics
The Global Health Senior Specialist (Informatics) provides technical expertise, program management and coordination for APHL Global Health Program activities for the benefit of APHL members, staff and partner organizations and Ministries of Health in countries within which APHL operates. The incumbent will work with the Global Health LIS Manager and staff of the APHL Global Health program to ensure informatics activities are executed within the context of each country’s national health information technology standards and specifically in the areas of data architecture, user interface, information systems software architecture, tools for interpretation, analysis, and dissemination of data, and secure data transfer. Additionally, the Senior Specialist will manage contracts and work with vendors to ensure compliance with contract requirements supporting development and implementation of informatics projects in the countries. The Senior Specialist, through continuous innovation will support technical infrastructure development, strategic planning and innovation within the countries where APHL Global Health operates. The incumbent will report to the Global Health LIS Manager and also will work closely with in-country/field consultants under the overall supervision of the Director of Global Health.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:
High Level/General responsibilities
- Serve as a subject matter expert in informatics and information architecture for APHL members, partnering organizations and Ministries of Health in countries where APHL Global Heath operates
- Responsible for educating the APHL membership and host country governments on terminology and best practices around system implementation, maintenance and support and will create educational materials related to this.
- Initiate collaborative informatics projects with CDC and Ministries of Health
- Apply accepted models and processes for developing information systems and for managing information resources
- Identify barriers to system implementation, system integration and secure transport
- Develop best practices and tools for project execution and management.
- Perform detailed technical assessments and propose solutions while documenting current infrastructure and cataloging tools for data exchange/integration between LIS and other LIS or LIS and other health information systems in APHL Global Health countries
- Support other APHL Informatics program initiatives as requested by the LIS Manager or Director and collaborate with other APHL staff as needed including the staff of the Informatics Program
- Manage vendor contracts that are providing services to APHL under the supervision of the Global Health LIS Manager
- Responsible for detailed reporting according to funder guidelines.
- Ensure that APHL technical strategy and development efforts are aligned with Stakeholder strategy
- Will adapt and adhere to APHL Values.
The position duties also include reviewing and editing technical assistance reports, writing summary reports for newsletters and other publications, organizing advisory committee meetings and participating in planning for projects. This position is responsible for maintaining communication with project sites, CDC and other partners by telephone, e-mail and direct meetings and responding to requests from APHL members for participation in project activities
The position will require approximately 20% administrative tasks including reporting, 20% managing vendor contracts, and 60% applying subject matter expertise and developing and applying tools and solutions.
OVERALL QUALIFICATIONS:
This position requires a responsive, committed individual who recognizes the impact of the work on the organization as a whole.
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education and general experience:
- BS/BA in Computer Science, information technology or related area with at least 5-7 years of work experience in the areas of IT integration, system architecture, analyzing and implementing computer software and systems.
- An Advanced degree in a relevant field may be substituted for work experience
- Familiarity with public health informatics including both laboratory and surveillance desirable.
- Ability to analyze client IT environments, capabilities and determine appropriate solutions
- Familiarity with languages such as XML, Javascript and HL7 messaging
- Experience with data architecture design, needs assessment methodology and IT use case analysis
- Experience and familiarity with Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS), custom and open source laboratory information management systems (LIMS)
- Prior exposure to distributed application performance engineering, cloud computing, social media programs, mobile application development, database design concepts, middleware concepts, user interface development, and information security.
- Work related experience in developing, managing and communicating current state and future state architectural models
- 3 – 5 years direct work experience in a project management capacity, including all aspects of process development and execution.
- PMP, CPHIMS or Six Sigma certification a plus
- Strong familiarity with project management software, such as MS Project.
- Experience with current Internet technologies, including MS SharePoint, Basecamp, SmartSheet, Google Docs,.
- Explaining complex, technical solutions to a non-technical end-user.
Knowledge of:
- Foundational architectural concepts and architecture frameworks and tools, defining and implementing application architecture across multiple processes and technology areas.
- An excellent knowledge of the current health IT landscape, emerging technical architectural approaches, integration engine programming, secure transport protocols and problem solving abilities
- Working knowledge of and experience with technologies such as Enterprise Integration (Orion Rhapsody, MIRTH, Cloverleaf, J2EE), Database (Oracle, Microsoft), Cloud Services (AWS, Azure, Google), data transformation and translation, Big Data and Cyber Security desirable
- Laboratory Information Systems (LIS), at the public health laboratory level
- IT development lifecycle, IT business analyses required
- Laboratory processes strongly desired.
- Healthcare field a plus.
- Nationally recognized data standards (HL7, LOINC, SNOMED, etc)
- Working knowledge of federal laws and regulations related to the security of electronic transmission and management of health records
- Office administrative procedures requiring organization and record keeping, and operation of standard office equipment.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, and Outlook), and Internet search engines.
- Work requires excellent command of English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
- Database competency.
- Ability to communicate with a broad array of individuals from various countries and professional backgrounds
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a colleague to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the colleague is required to sit for long periods at a time; type using a computer keyboard; visually read information off of a computer monitor; talk, hear, and orally communicate information over the telephone. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision and color vision and the ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment:
Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee could be exposed to outdoor weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment may vary from light to moderate depending on the location.
CRITERIA FOR PERFORMANCE EVALUATION:
Performance evaluation will be based on the abilities in meeting the criteria outlined herein.
POSITION REPORTS TO:
Manager, Global Health LIS, Global Health
Direct Reports:
None
POSITION DESCRIPTION STATUS:
The duties and responsibilities listed in this job description are illustrative ones anticipated for this position. Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned as required. Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) reserves the right to amend or change this job description to meet the needs of its programs. This job description and any attachments do no constitute or represent a contract.
APHL is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veteran status, disability, age, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
