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.

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. Review our Top 10 Tips for Success when Applying to State of Texas Jobs.

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

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

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, blood borne 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.

(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, blood borne 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…