Epidemiologist

About This Role

This night-shift post on the cardiac ward pairs patient care with mentoring new nurses. The purpose of this position is to minimize morbidity and mortality associated with measles among residents by conducting a broad and complex range of investigative and analytical epidemiological activities to perform surveillance of measles.

Responsibilities

• Provide prompt technical assistance to health care providers, local health departments, members of the public, and other audiences as appropriate
• Coordinate with the client Laboratories, health care providers, local health departments, and members of the public to arrange prompt diagnostic testing for diseases and public health topics where appropriate
• Conduct surveillance for diseases and public health topics using the state electronic disease surveillance system (NBS), the state syndromic surveillance system (ESSENCE), and other systems as appropriate
• Develop educational materials for health care providers, local health departments, the public, and other audiences as appropriate
• Assist with surveillance and investigation of individual cases and outbreaks of diseases and public health topics
• Provide surge capacity for data entry of relevant reports and laboratory results as needed
• Serve as the client epidemiologist on call during non-business hours for approximately two to three weeks per year, if applicable for program area
• Serve as a backup to other staff, as necessary
• Complete most work activities independently, with general direction from the supervisor
• Consult with the supervisor on an ongoing basis in complex or unusual situations
• Support client's vision, comply with agency administrative and fiscal policies, and practice cultural sensitivity in all work activities
• Protect patient confidentiality, with knowledge of state and federal privacy laws
• Identify possible ethical conflicts in work activities and request assistance from the supervisor in resolving them
• Independently identify opportunities for professional development that would benefit client and residents
• Maintain good working relationships with various stakeholders, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the client Laboratories, health care providers, local health departments, and other state agencies
• Partner with client personnel and related stakeholders towards completion of assigned functions
• Provide exceptional customer service to client partners and/or the general public

Requirements

• A master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., public health, biological sciences, or social sciences), OR a master's degree in a non-relevant field and 2 years of public health experience, OR a bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., public health, biological sciences, or social sciences) and 2 years of public health experience, OR a bachelor’s degree in a non-relevant field and 4 years of public health experience, OR a high school diploma or GED and 8 years of public health experience
• Ability to quickly acquire detailed knowledge of diseases or public health topics relevant to the position
• Ability to ascertain the existence of a public health threat by gathering and interpreting relevant information
• Ability to properly interpret and communicate state regulations and public health guidance documents
• Ability to identify appropriate indications for public health laboratory testing
• Ability to identify appropriate interventions for prevention of diseases or public health topics
• Ability to perform descriptive analyses of surveillance data and identify key findings
• Ability to identify limitations of surveillance data and support evaluation of surveillance systems
• Ability to prepare written and oral reports, presentations, and educational materials that communicate necessary information to internal and external partners
• Ability to elicit relevant information from patients in structured or unstructured telephone interviews
• Ability to use appropriate informatics tools in support of work activities
• Ability to provide prompt, courteous, and helpful customer service
• Ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external partners
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Ability to prioritize tasks efficiently to meet internal and external deadlines
• Ability to appropriately document work activities and maintain organized records
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to design and execute epidemiologic or other relevant scientific studies
• Competence in statistical and/or geospatial software (e.g., Epi Info, SAS, ArcGIS)
• Able to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation
• Experience with disease or syndromic surveillance systems (e.g., NBS, ESSENCE) - 2 Years
• Experience assisting with investigations, ideally for vaccine-preventable or communicable diseases - 2 Years
• Descriptive analysis of surveillance data, including identifying key findings and data limitations - 2 Years
• Microsoft Office proficiency - 2 Years
• Experience with written and oral reports, presentations, and educational materials - 2 Years
• Rapidly acquire working knowledge of the disease conditions or public health topics relevant to their position
• Use critical thinking skills and knowledge of epidemiology to ascertain the existence of public health threats, complete risk assessments, and identify appropriate interventions
• Often exercise independent judgment to identify appropriate actions in complex situations that are not explicitly described in state regulations and public health guidance documents
• Show initiative in independently identifying and executing process improvements and/or special projects that would benefit client and residents
• Remain composed and professional when occasionally interacting with members of the public who are angry or in emotional distress

Nice to have:

• Statistical or geospatial software experience: Epi Info, SAS, ArcGIS, or similar
• Study design: Designing and executing epidemiologic studies
• Experience with patient telephone interviewing
• Experience working with CDC, labs, local health departments, and providers
• Knowledge of state public health regulations and privacy laws (e.g., HIPAA)
• Experience with risk assessment, prioritization, and record keeping

Important Details

• Schedule: This is a hybrid role, 2 days in person and 3 remote, but potentially less depending on meetings and trainings
• Physical effort: Use of limbs/fingers to easily perform manual functions; operation of complex manual and electric powered equipment or hand-tools; ability to lift/transport items up to 50 lbs with or without the assistance of equipment; sitting for extended periods of time could be expected; frequent walking, standing, climbing stairs or ladders, bending, stooping, pushing, pulling and/or similar movements may be involved depending on duties or environment
• Working conditions: Standard office environment; occasional and/or overnight travel required

About the Company

VIVA is an equal opportunity employer.