Laboratory and Epidemiology Coordinator, Department of Forensic Sciences

Job Summary

This position is located in the Department of Forensic Sciences (DFS). The mission of the DFS is to provide high-quality, timely, accurate, and reliable forensic science services using best practices and best available technology, focusing on unbiased science and transparency, to enhance public safety and health.

The overall goal of this position is to timely and appropriately coordinate the submission of clinical samples to the DC Public Health Laboratory (DC PHL) for laboratory testing, improve data collection quality, and facilitate ongoing communication and data sharing of laboratory testing results with DC Department of Health (DOH) to support surveillance and outbreak investigation activities. The coordinator will work closely with the DFS PHL Director and Laboratory Unit Managers to coordinate efforts between the DOH Infectious Disease Epidemiologists and with outside stakeholders pertaining to disease surveillance, sample submission, and laboratory testing.  The incumbent will ensure the efficient and effective conduct of public health surveillance to support the wellbeing of District residents, visitors, and stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Laboratory & Epidemiology Coordinator serves as the primary point of communication for DC health care facility (HCF) laboratories, commercial laboratories, or other facilities submitting clinical samples to the PHL by responding to all inquiries. Develops communication plans to conduct ongoing outreach and education to submitting laboratories.  Provides outreach services to DC HCF laboratories, clinics, and offices. Troubleshoots and optimizes methods for patient sample submission by working with outside stakeholders, including sentinel clinical laboratories, hospitals, and local health clinics to communicate and educate staff about available testing methods and appropriate sample collection and handling requirements requested by the Public Health Laboratory. Oversees sample submission protocol development.

The incumbent ensures the timely submission of critical outbreak samples and draft a sample submission report to be sent to the Epidemiologist who is leading the outbreak investigation. Ensures routine sample submission targets are met based on established standard (e.g. number of submitted samples, timeliness of sample submission) by tracking and reporting submission performance metrics. Reports laboratory data to DOH for surveillance and performance metrics required by federal grants (e.g. for reports, during meetings).  Communicates key surveillance findings to relevant stakeholders (including detection of clusters using BioNumerics). Assists with reporting to meet grant deliverables and performance metrics. Maintains a current understanding of Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) guidelines and regulations as they pertain to clinical testing to direct quality assurance in the laboratory in collaboration with the designated Specialist.

Qualifications and Education

A Bachelor’s or higher-level degree in an academic field related to the medical field, health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the work of the position; in addition to one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the CS-11 grade level. Specialized experience is experience which is directly related to the position and has equipped the individual with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position including, but are not limited to, coordinating the timely and appropriate submission of clinical samples to the DC Public Health Laboratory (DC PHL) for laboratory testing, improving data collection quality, and facilitating the ongoing communication and data sharing of laboratory testing results with DC Department of Health (DOH) to support surveillance and outbreak investigation activities.

A Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in epidemiology, a laboratory science or forensic science and a higher degree is favorably considered, and five (5) years or more of specialized experience, two years of which were gained from clinical, public health, or environmental laboratory setting is highly desirable. Experience with customer service, marketing, and negotiations a plus.  Skills in using other statistical analysis software desired.

How to Apply 

Click here to read more about the position and apply online! 

Surveillance Epidemiology Fellowship, CDC

Description 

A research opportunity is currently available in the Mycotic Diseases Branch (MDB) at the Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases (DFWED), in the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID), at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) located in Atlanta, Georgia. The Division works to promote food safety and to prevent illnesses from foodborne, waterborne, and fungal infections.

Throughout the course of this research project, the participant will be trained in the epidemiologic techniques and scientific project management skills for invasive mold infections surveillance.  Major training include medical chart reviews, management surveillance databases and data analysis.

Learning objectives include:

• Setting up data management systems, including use of software like REDCap
• Tracking process measures with local and state public health partners
• Using statistical software like R, SAS or Stata
• Creating scripts to automate monthly automated data quality checks
• Conducting data analysis for public health action
• Participating in interpretation of findings and creating educational materials for hurricane preparedness 

Qualifications 

The qualified candidate should have received a master’s degree in one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within five years of the appointment start date.

Preferred skills

• Strong proficiency in statistical software (preferably R)
• Excellent analytic skills and some experience in data management and or conducting epidemiological analyses
• Knowledge of medical charts and/ or clinical terminologies
• Strong organizational and activity planning
• Strong written and verbal communication

How to Apply 

• Click here to read more about the position details and application requirements. 
• Application Deadline: November 17 at 3:00PM EST
• If you have questions, send an email to ORISE [dot] CDC [dot] NCEZID [at] orau [dot] org. Please include the reference code (CDC-DFWED-2020-0238) for this opportunity in your email.

Vaccine Preventable Disease Epidemiologist II, Texas HH

Description 

Under the guidance of the Vaccine Preventable Disease(VPD) Group Manager, the VPD Epidemiologist II performs advanced investigative and consultative epidemiological work within the Emerging and Acute Infectious Disease Unit (EAIDU) related to VPDs. Collects and analyzes, interprets, and distributes epidemiological data on VPDs in Texas. May supervise the work of others in data collection. Provides telephonic and electronic technical consultation to public health professionals, healthcare providers, and the public on the epidemiology of VPD and assists these partners in any VPD outbreak investigations. Prepares public health information, training materials, and investigative tools for VPD surveillance and investigation. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgement.

Essential Job Functions

• Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.
• Participates in VPD outbreak investigations and studies by coordinating data collection with local and regional health department partners, abstracting medical data from hospital and medical records, designing and modifying questionnaires or report forms, interviewing patients, coordinating collection and transport of clinical specimens, performing data analysis using statistical programs, and assisting with recommendations for control measures. Analyzes and interprets epidemiological data, including laboratory findings. Creates, maintains, and distributes line lists and databases using applications such as Excel, Access and other software packages available to the team.
• Monitors the statewide surveillance system for case reports of VPDs in the National Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NEDSS); assists and provides consultation to local and regional health department staff on data entry, case classification, and other aspects of case investigations; conducts some data entry; ensures data quality, reviews and approves or rejects notifications, and oversees year-end data cleanup in the system. Assists in establishing and implementing activities to improve surveillance for VPDs. Retrieves data from the Department’s laboratory information system (LabWare) and NEDSS.
• Coordinates activities related to the reporting of metrics for the VPD portion of the Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) Cooperative Agreement. Coordinates with local and regional health department partners on inter-jurisdictional case and outbreak investigations. May serve as a point of contact with CDC for VPD outbreak investigations. Recommends measures for prevention and control of VPD. Working with Unit staff, develops protocols, procedures, and training materials related to surveillance and outbreak investigations. Participates in training regional and local staff in investigation methods. Develops and disseminates data collection instruments. Requests and collates information collected during VPD investigations. Coordinates establishment and implementation of activities to improve outbreak response.
• Prepares reports and graphs of surveillance and investigation data using Power Point, Excel, Access, and NEDSS. Disseminates data reports to internal and external partners. May prepare and give oral presentations on surveillance data and epidemiological investigations for professional and lay audiences. Assists in the development of disease fact sheets, pamphlets, brochures and press bulletins. May assist in preparing articles for publication in journals. Provides telephonic and electronic technical consultations to public health professionals, health care providers, and the public on the epidemiology of VPDs and their prevention and control. Prepares VPD data for posting to the web. Reviews scientific literature, as appropriate.

Required Skills and Experience  

• A master’s degree with a focus in epidemiology and = 2 years’ work experience in epidemiology in a public health agency OR a doctoral-level degree in epidemiology OR other non-epidemiology graduate degree or certification (e.g., RN, MD/DO, DDS/DMD, DVM, PhD, RS) with at least four years of epidemiological experience.
• Experience using statistical analysis software required. Experience with SAS strongly preferred.
• Experience communicating complex and technical information to a variety of groups.

How to Apply 

Click here to read more about this position and apply online!