Category Archives: Alumni

Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of South Carolina

Category : Alumni

Job Summary

We are seeking an individual for a postdoctoral fellowship related to maternal and perinatal health with training and experience in epidemiology or a related field. This position involves conducting statistical analyses and write/help in writing peer-reviewed manuscripts. The primary mentor is Dr. Nansi Boghossian. This postdoctoral research fellowship will be focused primarily on maternal health outcomes in the United States, with a focus on severe maternal morbidity, hospital quality, social determinants, and/or geographic disparities. The postdoc will have the opportunity to interact/collaborate with a variety of epidemiologists, clinician-scientists, biostatisticians, and economists from multiple institutions including Stanford, University of Pennsylvania, UTMB, and The Pennsylvania State University. The initial appointment is for one year and renewal for a second year is anticipated if performance is satisfactory.

 

Minimum Qualifications

  • Doctoral qualification in epidemiology, biostatistics, public health, data science, or a related field with an interest in reproductive, perinatal, and pediatric epidemiology and maternal and child health.

 

Desired Skills

  • Familiarity with statistical software (e.g., SAS, R)
  • Familiarity with GIS recommended but not required
  • Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
  • Strong training in quantitative epidemiologic methods (e.g., causal inference methods)
  • Experience analyzing large datasets
  • Excellent interpersonal and oral and written communication skills
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team with collaborators
  • Highly motivated to make a difference in maternal and perinatal health

 

How to Apply 

Interested applicants should submit the following materials:

  1. Curriculum vitae
  2. Cover letter describing research interests to be pursued during training
  3. One lead-author published or unpublished manuscript
  4. Names of two references

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

Please contact Dr. Boghossian at nboghoss [at] mailbox [dot] sc [dot] edu with questions.

 


Reproductive Health and Disability Fellowship, CDC

Category : Alumni

Description 

A research opportunity is available in the Division of Reproductive Health (DRH) within the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia.

The mission of DRH is to promote optimal and equitable health in women and infants through public health surveillance, research, leadership, and partnership to move science to practice. DRH’s Women’s Health and Fertility Branch promotes optimal and equitable reproductive health and advances evidence-based practices through epidemiologic research and surveillance related to health behaviors and outcomes, unintended pregnancy prevention, fertility, and contraception

The selected participant will gain experience examining reproductive health topics among women with disabilities. Approximately 10% to 12% of reproductive-aged women in the United States have a disability. Reproductive-aged women with a disability might face challenges accessing prenatal and postpartum care and finding providers who are knowledgeable about their specific condition. However, there is limited data about pregnancy and postpartum behaviors and experiences among women with disability. CDC’s Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) is an ongoing, state-specific, and population-based surveillance system that collects data from the time before, during, and shortly after pregnancy among women who have had a recent live birth. Beginning in 2019, PRAMS began to gather information about disability. Under the guidance of a mentor, the participant will address gaps in knowledge about reproductive health among women with disabilities through data analysis of the PRAMS Disability supplement and potentially other data sources (e.g., MarketScan, the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System [BRFSS]), data interpretation, preparation and dissemination of findings (e.g., fact sheets, peer-reviewed journal articles, presentations). Such information can be used to guide the development of clinical practices guidelines, intervention programs, and other initiatives of federal, state, and local agencies to improve services and the health of women of reproductive age living with disability.

The learning objectives and activities for this appointment include:

  • To develop project coordination skills for analytical projects
  • To develop skills for analyzing complex survey data using appropriate statistical software
  • To develop technical assistance skills on epidemiology, data analysis, and translation

 

Qualifications 

The qualified candidate should have received a master’s or doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields, or be currently pursuing one of the degrees with completion by May 31, 2021. Degree must have been received within the past five years.

Preferred skills

  • Experience in epidemiology and statistical methods
  • Experience with complex survey design and data analysis
  • Excellent oral presentation skills
  • Strong scientific writing skills
  • Strong skills in statistical software such as SAS and SUDAAN
  • Competency in Microsoft applications including Word, Excel, and Outlook

 

How to Apply 

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


Senior Research Program Coordinator, Johns Hopkins University

Category : Alumni

Description

We are looking for an experienced Sr. Research Program Coordinator (SRPC) to lead protocol implementation for international research studies in HIV and tuberculosis, primarily in southern Africa (South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Malawi). The overall focus of these studies is HIV and TB testing and case finding, treatment initiation, retention in care, and optimizing aspects of care delivery including TB preventive therapy. Responsibilities include administrative and scientific implementation of study protocols, database and data oversight, coordination with local investigators and field research staff, and participation in the analysis and dissemination of research findings. The ideal candidate will have superb organization, initiative, interpersonal skills, analytic experience, and excellent writing skills to coordinate several studies involving clinical trial, observational data collection, and qualitative analysis in the general discipline of implementation science. The SRPC reports to the PI and supports, facilitates, and coordinates daily study activities, playing a critical role in the overall conduct of the studies and dissemination of the findings. To perform these duties, the SRPC works with the PI, collaborating co-investigators, and partner institutions in the US and abroad. Duties range from study tool and database development and data quality assessments to coordination of study team meetings, managing regulatory submissions, and conducting statistical analysis and manuscript preparation. The primary work location is Baltimore, Maryland with anticipation of regular travel to South Africa and other sub- Saharan African and international sites once COVID-19 travel restrictions are eased. 

 

Duties & Responsibilities

In collaboration with the PI, the responsibilities of the SRPC involve supporting studies from inception and grant writing to close-out and final analysis and publication. Specifically:

Project Management

  • Proactively manage and communicate regarding study progress with the PI and collaborators.
  • Assist with grant preparation: Managing documents, writing components of grants, assisting with budgets and budget justifications, and literature searches.
  • Study design and data collection: Coordinating and contributing to study protocol development. Overseeing data tool development. Assists in preparation of all documents related to the informed consent process.
  • Managing regulatory submissions (e.g. IRB, clinicaltrials.gov) and keeping regulatory approvals up to date.
  • Assists in submission of closeout documents to applicable federal agencies, university entities, and the sponsoring agency.
  • Coordinates meetings and other communication between international partners and JHU investigators.

Data Management

  • Monitors data quality and develops data queries in collaboration with in-country partners.
  • Prepares quantitative data for analysis, including data cleaning.
  • Participate in coding and analysis of in-depth interviews for qualitative components of studies.

Analysis and Dissemination

  • Conducts statistical analysis of collected data (e.g., multivariable regression).
  • Present results at scientific conferences and other national and international venues.
  • Contribute to writing of manuscripts.
  • Prepare updates for study site partners including health facilities and TB program leadership.
  • Prepare other dissemination products as needed.

 

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree in related discipline required. Minimum of three years related experience. Additional education may substitute for experience, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

Preferred Qualifications

Related Master’s preferred MPH, MSc. Ability to use analysis applications including (e.g. STATA). Experience with qualitative coding software such as MAXQDA or Nvivo. Special Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Experience managing health-related research required. Demonstrated skills in oral and written communication required.

Other

Ability to function independently with a high degree of motivation essential. Proficiency in the use of software applications, databases, spreadsheets, and word processing required. Excellent organizational skills required. Excellent attention to detail skills required. Ability to manage multiple and competing priorities. Must have excellent organizational and time management skills. Must have excellent oral and written communication skills. Must have ability to travel to study sites (Africa). Oversea travel will vary but will not exceed 20% of time.

 

How to Apply 

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


Senior Wellness Program Coordinator, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

Category : Alumni

Description 

Works with department leaders to develop, implement, and evaluate injury prevention programs and strategies to improve health outcomes of a defined population. Within focus area, may collaborate with Manager to coordinate and oversee volunteers, interns, and new hires. Partners with professional and community organizations on injury prevention-related  issues and events. This position would primarliy support the Safe Kids Georgia team with the opportunity to support other injury prevention initiatives in Strong4Life.. 

 

Education

  • Bachelor’s degree in Health Promotion, Public Health, Nutrition, or related field

 

Certification Summary

  • May require valid Georgia driver’s license
  • May require automobile and auto insurance

 

Experience

  • 6 years of experience in wellness

 

Preferred Qualifications

  • Master’s degree in Nutrition, Public Health, Health Education, Exercise Science, or related field

 

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

  • Knowledge of nutrition and health promotion/wellness program evaluation principles and practices
  • Demonstrated success in public health program development, implementation, and evaluation
  • Proven project planning and management skills, including ability to perform effectively in fast-paced environment, manage time and multiple assignments, meet frequent deadlines, shift priorities, and work independently and within teams
  • Strong research skills, including ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
  • Excellent presentation, verbal, and written communication skills
  • Demonstrated organizational skills and attention to detail
  • Must be able to serve as nutrition education resource
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office
  • May require validated fluency (spoken and written) in Spanish or other language
  • Maintains knowledge of wellness trends and integrates best practices into programs

 

Job Responsibilities

  1. Maintains knowledge of wellness trends and integrates best practices into programs.
  2. Develops, implements, and evaluates wellness programs.
  3. Collaborates with team to develop evaluation plan for each program.
  4. Implements program evaluations.
  5. Conducts surveys or focus groups, and tracks data reflecting program participation and effectiveness.
  6. Reports program data and recommends opportunities for improvement.
  7. Manages program budgets and maintains records that meet external audit requirements.
  8. Works with leadership on research and submission of grants, contracts, and funding requests.
  9. Builds and maintains relationships with key stakeholders, including communication and activities with community organizations.
  10. Participates in internal and external committees or groups. 
  11. Serves as preceptor for interns, volunteers, and new hires.

 

How to Apply 

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

 


Data Analyst, Southeast Louisiana Area Health Education Center

Category : Alumni

Description 

Southeast La. Area Health Education Center (SELAHEC), in conjunction with the Louisiana Office of Public Health Bureau of Infectious Diseases, is seeking applicants to join our Health Systems team for the critical role of Electronic Case Reporting (ECR) Data Analyst. This position is located in New Orleans within the Louisiana Dept. Of Health Bureau of Infectious Diseases. The successful candidate will report to the Interoperability Supervisor. The ECR Data Analyst will work in a complex arena with national and state public health professionals in epidemiology, surveillance, informatics, and interoperability. This position will work closely with these teams to research and define requirements, identify best practices, and produce a plan for ECR implementation.

As part of the Health Systems unit the Data Analyst will operate as a member of the Interoperability Team supporting Electronic Case Reporting (ECR) activities in the La. Office of Public Health’s Bureau of Infectious Diseases. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the need for timely, accurate, and complete data reporting to public health agencies. While Louisiana has been deeply involved in Electronic Laboratory Reporting (ELR), ECR is a new effort. This new type of data represents a great opportunity to clarify the picture of health in this state. With the goal of proposing solutions and further influencing strategic decisions for the Bureau, the Data Analyst will work in a complex arena with national and state public health professionals in epidemiology, surveillance, informatics, and interoperability. This position will work closely with these team members to research and define requirements, identify best practices, and produce a plan for ECR implementation.

Candidates for the position must hold a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Decision Sciences, or Data Sciences. 3-5 years of in Healthcare IT, Business Intelligence, Data Management, or related field. Public Health or Public Health Information Management System experience preferred. Experience in Healthcare Analytics particularly in Public Health favorable.

 

Responsibilities 

  • Coordinate with CDC, APHL, and State Health Departments to research the most recent ECR policies, technologies, and best practices
  • Development of ECR requirements documentation
  • Monitor test messages from onboarding healthcare organizations to ensure that data meets the public health department standard
  • Assist the health department with data validation of eCR data including identifying missing data fields or identifying fields that may not be mapped correctly
  • Monitor feeds of data from healthcare organizations to ensure there are no outages and that data remains of high quality
  • Coordinate with staff across Infectious Disease departments to identify and document data quality and completeness deficiencies
  • Liaison with external agencies pertaining to ECR importing system technical requests, system updates or message requirements
  • Audit and monitor laboratory messages for completeness and accuracy
  • Alert managers and technical staff to project interruptions or system anomalies
  • Works with principal positions and management to understand and interpret the impacts to cost and quality of proposals using relevant data sources and analytic methods
  • Makes recommendations for information system updates or upgrades
  • Represent State of La. Bureau of Infectious Diseases during national calls and projects relating to public health interoperability

 

Skills and Experience

  • Experience with Electronic Case Reporting or Electronic Laboratory Reporting using HL7 V2 and HL7 CDA messages
  • Bachelor’s degree in related field, with 3-5 years related job experience or a Master’s degree
  • 2 years of experience using programming and statistical software (e.g., SAS, Tableau) use of various databases and other data sources, and performing analytics
  • Ability to perform and interpret a variety of statistical analyses
  • Demonstrated ability to evaluate and interpret complex data
  • Prioritizes and manages multiple tasks with competing priorities
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills with an ability to interpret and communicate analytical information to individuals or groups with varying levels of analytics expertise in a clear concise manner
  • Demonstrated ability to present complex results, recommendations, and conclusions to non-technical audiences including senior leadership
  • Ability to work independently and in team settings with individuals having diverse professional backgrounds including business, technical, or clinical
  • Understanding of Health Information Systems or Electronic Case Reporting
  • Working knowledge of HL7
  • Experience with relational databases and data integration is a plus

 

Education

  • Required – Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Decision Sciences, Data Sciences
  • Preferred – Master’s Degree in Healthcare

 

Work Experience

  • Required – 3-5 years of in Healthcare IT, Business Intelligence, Data Management, or related field
  • Preferred – Experience in Healthcare Analytics particularly in Public Health

 

How to Apply 

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

 


AHA Fellowship in Cardiometabolic Health, Johns Hopkins University

Category : Alumni

Description 

The American Heart Association (AHA) Strategic Focused Research Network (SFRN) site at Johns Hopkins University (JHU) is recruiting a post-doctoral fellow for a 2-year training program in Cardiometabolic Health and Type 2 Diabetes to work on our population/clinical science project.

Our SFRN is a collaboration between Cardiology, Epidemiology and Endocrinology at Johns Hopkins University. JHU is one of 4 centers in this AHA network, and the post-doctoral fellow will have opportunity for cross-center collaboration and engagement in AHA national activities.

The 2021 fellowship position will start July 1, 2021 and conclude June 2023.

The Johns Hopkins project entitled “Adipokines and Cardiometabolic Health: Implications for Heart Failure” is investigating how adiposity and hormones produced from fat tissue called adipokines might contribute to progressive metabolic risk along the spectrum from metabolically healthy obese to metabolic syndrome/diabetes with heart failure. The project also involves investigating whether mitochondrial injury, reflected by mitochondrial DNA copy number, partially mediates the association of trajectories of adipokines and metabolic risk with cardiac injury and heart failure. The project will also provide further mechanistic insight into these risk associations by leveraging adipose tissue expression from an obesity biobank and proteomics in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) cohort. A collaborative project across the SFRN centers provides further opportunity for training and scientific discovery.

The AHA Fellow will work on original science projects under the mentorship of our diverse multi-disciplinary team, guided by their own Individualized Development Plan (IDP). The fellow will participate in a series of training didactics at JHU, as well as in national AHA training-related activities held in conjunction with the other SRFN networks through teleconferences, annual scientific meetings, and semi-annual updates.

 

Requirements

  • Center Fellows must exhibit a strong commitment to research with an interest in Cardiometabolic Health.
  • The Fellowship Candidate ideally should have a background in epidemiology or prior clinical research, and have prior research experience as demonstrated by at least 2 prior publications.
  • Center Fellows must hold an MD, DO, PhD, or equivalent doctoral degree.
  • Center Fellows must meet one of the citizenship criteria throughout the duration of the award:
    • U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident
    • Pending Permanent Resident (must have applied for permanent residency and have filed Form I-485 with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and have received authorization to legally remain in the U.S., having filed an Application for Employment Form I-765)
    • E-3 – Specialty Occupation Worker
    • F-1 Visa – student
    • G-4 Visa – family member of employee of internal organizations and NATO
    • H1-B Visa – temporary worker in a specialty occupation
    • J-1 Visa – exchange visitor
    • O-1 Visa – temporary worker with extraordinary abilities in the sciences
    • TN Visa – NAFTA professional
  • Center Fellows must commit 75 percent effort to research training.
  • Center Fellows may not hold another AHA affiliate fellowship or AHA Fellow-to-Faculty Transition Award for the duration of their time as a named fellow at an AHA Strategically Focused Center.
  • Center Fellows cannot hold a faculty/staff position any time during their two-year fellowship. (Exception: M.D. or M.D./Ph.D. applicants with clinical responsibilities who hold a title of instructor or similar due to their patient care responsibilities.)
  • Women and under-represented minority (URM) applicants are encouraged to apply.

 

How to Apply 

**Application deadline: May 1st, 2021**

Applicants will submit a written application for the training program includes:

  1. Personal statement addressing the trainee’s interest in the Center’s Population project, past research experiences, long-term career goals, and how these plans align with a focus on Cardiometabolic Health.
  2. Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  3. Graduate school transcripts
  4. Two or more letters of recommendation from prior supervisor(s).
  5. If enrolled in a clinical training program, letter of support from the applicant’s Division Chief/Department Chair indicating a commitment to support the trainee’s time and effort during the AHA Fellowship training program (if applicable)

 

Contact Information 

For more information and request for application, please contact:

Application materials should be sent: Attn.: Dr Erin Michos, Blalock 524-B, Division of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD 21287 or edonnell [at] jhmi [dot] edu.

 

 

 


Clinical Research Coordinator II, Emory School of Medicine

Category : Alumni

Description

The Adolescent Medicine Clinical Research Coordinator II (CRC II) is responsible for the oversight of all research within the Section. This position will support the research endeavors of two board-certified adolescent medicine physicians.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Handles administrative activities generally associated with the conduct of clinical trials.
  • Provides guidance to less experienced staff.
  • Manages research project databases, develops flow sheets and other study related documents, and completes source documents/case report forms.
  • Interfaces with research participants, determines eligibility and consents study participants according to protocol.
  • Approves orders for supplies and equipment maintenance.
  • Assists in developing recruitment strategies and conducting screenings for study participants including interviews and questionnaires.
  • Supervises collection of study specimens and processing.
  • Establishes case packages for study procedures, monitors scheduling of procedures and charges, coordinates other services as needed.
  • Ensures compliance with research protocols, reviews case report forms and audits for accuracy with source documents, attends monitoring meetings with sponsors.
  • Prepares regulatory submissions with appropriate credentialing and training.
  • May perform phlebotomy or diagnostics.
  • Performs related approved responsibilities as required.

 

Additional Job Details 

  • Administers activities associated with the conduct of clinical trials including creation and management of research protocols, project databases, flow sheets and other study related documents.
  • Directs recruitment of research participants, including determination of eligibility, consenting study participants, and administering interviews and questionnaires.
  • Prepares regulatory documents for grants and human subjects approvals.
  • Supervises other research staff (including students and trainees) within the Section.
  • Additional duties include literature searchers, preparation of research and teaching presentations, and statistical analysis of data.

 

Qualifications

Minimum

  • High School Diploma or GED and five years of clinical research experience. OR
  • Two years of college in a scientific, health related, or business administration program and three years clinical research experience OR
  • Licensed as a practical nurse (LPN) and two years clinical research experience OR
  • Bachelor’s degree in a scientific, health related, or business administration related program and one year of clinical research experience OR
  • Master’s degree, MD or PhD in a scientific, health related or business administration program

Preferred

  • Biostatistical skills including analyses of quantitative data.
  • Experience conducting research interviews/focus groups.

 

How to Apply 

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

 


Sentinel Surveillance Epidemiologist II, Georgia DPH

Category : Alumni

Job Summary

Under supervision of the Respiratory Disease Epidemiologist, the Sentinel Surveillance Epidemiologist 2 will be responsible for providing surge epidemiologic support in developing and conducting epidemiologic and outbreak investigations, surveillance and interventions, and implementing measures of control. This position will conduct surveillance of COVID-19 and other acute infectious diseases. The position will collect, analyze and interpret statistical data related to individual cases and outbreaks of COVID-19, respond to inquiries about, and improves response plans and surveillance systems for COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Collect, analyze, manage, and interpret quantitative and qualitative data.
  • Receive, interpret, and respond to requests for data from DPH.
  • Maintain existing datasets and corresponding documentation.
  • Assist in developing recommendations for data-driven, evidence-based interventions, policies, and control measures in response to epidemiologic findings.
  • Prepare written reports and presentations that communicate necessary information to staff, the public, and partners.
  • Identify surveillance needs; assist with design, implementation, maintenance, and evaluation of public health surveillance systems.
  • Provide epidemiologic input into epidemiologic studies, public health programs, and community public health planning processes.
  • Strong oral and written communication and interpersonal and organizational skills.

 

Qualifications

Minimum

  • Master’s degree in Public Health or a closely related field from an accredited college or university AND Two years of experience performing epidemiologic work or work in a closely related field OR
  • Bachelor’s degree in any field from an accredited college or university AND Three years of experience performing epidemiologic work or work in a closely related field OR Two years at the lower level (HCP180) or position equivalent.

Preferred

  • MPH or MSPH, awarded by an Association of Schools of Public Health accredited program, with a concentration in Epidemiology or at least 24 credit hours in epidemiology and biostatistics
  • At least two years of experience performing epidemiologic activities
  • Relevant knowledge of job area indicated by at least 3 graduate-level credit hours or one year of work experience in that area

 

How to Apply 

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

 


Associate Scientist II, American Cancer Society

Category : Alumni

Job Summary

Collaborate with colleagues in the Department to contribute to the scientific literature. Provide analytical support to Scientific Director of Risk Factors & Screening Research and Sr. Vice President of Surveillance & Health Equity Science. Assist with Facts & Figures publications, provide risk factors and screening data to ACS staff at Corporate Center & Divisions. The candidate will have the opportunity and the support to write first author scientific papers.   

 

Major Responsibilities

  • Conduct comprehensive literature reviews and analyze surveillance data from various public-use databases (including the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, National Health Interview Survey, National Health and Nutrition Examinations Survey, Cancer registries) as well as medical claims data to meet various cancer surveillance and screening  activities including research projects for the peer-review literature.
  • Collaborate with colleagues on cancer screening, surveillance, and social determinants of health research projects to contribute to scientific literature.
  • Ensure the accuracy and consistency of data presented in Facts & Figures Publication (e.g., proofreading text and data checking).
  • Respond to requests for risk factors and screening data from ACS staff, media, and the general public.
  • Write, test, and submit computer programs in SAS, SUDAAN, and SEER*Stat to operate in a variety of computer environments (e.g. PC and local mainframe). Efficient, logical, pre-tested programs are essential in large databases.
  • Prepare tables and figures for scientific presentations using EXCEL, PowerPoint and/or Origin Lab.
  • Document analytic programs and results in an organized, dated, and clearly labeled form for future reference.
  • Proofread reports for publication and presentation at professional meetings.
  • Co-author or author papers for publications in scientific journals.

 

Position Requirements

Knowledge

  • Master’s degree or equivalent amount of experience and education in Public Health, Statistics, or Epidemiology.
  • Two year experience in statistical, medical, or biologic research.

Competencies/Skills

  • Action oriented
  • Communicates effectively
  • Drives results
  • Manages complexity
  • Builds networks
  • Cultivates innovation
  • Optimizes work processes
  • Manages ambiguity
  • Working familiarity with SAS. Knowledge of basic statistics with good quantitative skills.
  • PREFERRED: Experience in analysis of survey data using SUDAAN; background in cancer epidemiology.
  • Familiarity with fundamental principles of biology and health.
  • Familiarity with large database (NHIS, BRFSS, SEER, etc). 
  • Good communication skills. Attention to detail with numbers and calculations.

 

How to Apply 

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


Epidemiologist II, Texas HHS

Category : Alumni

Job Description

With direction from the epidemiologist III team lead, performs advanced (senior-level) investigative and consultative epidemiological work in the Emerging and Acute Infectious Disease unit related to gastrointestinal illnesses. Collects and analyzes, interprets, and distributes epidemiological data on foodborne illness in Texas. Coordinates the work of others in data collection. Provides telephonic and electronic technical consultation to public health professionals, healthcare providers, and the general public on the epidemiology of foodborne illness and assists these partners in any foodborne illness outbreak investigations. Prepares public health information, training materials, and investigative tools for foodborne illness surveillance and investigation. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.


Essential Job Functions

  • Epidemiologic investigations and studies: Participates in gastrointestinal GI illness 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 databases using applications such as Excel, Access and Epi Info.
  • Surveillance activities: Monitors the statewide surveillance system for case reports on select enteric pathogens 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 enteric illnesses. Retrieves data from the Department’s laboratory information system (LabWare), NEDSS, Bionumerics, and CDC’s System for Enteric Disease Response, Investigation, and Coordination (SEDRIC) site.
  • Leadership: Coordinates activities related to the reporting of metrics for the OutbreakNet Enhanced (OBNE) portion of the Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) Cooperative Agreement. Coordinates with local and regional health department partners on inter-jurisdictional cluster and outbreak investigations. As assigned by the team lead, serves as a point of contact with CDC for multi-state cluster and outbreak investigations of GI illness. Recommends measures for prevention and control of GI Illness. Working with Branch 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 investigations of GI illnesses. Coordinates establishment and implementation of activities to improve outbreak response.
  • Communication: Prepares reports and graphs of surveillance and investigation data using Power Point, Excel, Access, Epi Info and NEDSS. Disseminates data reports to internal and external partners. Prepare and delivers 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. Assists in preparing articles for publication in journals. Provides telephonic and electronic technical consultations to public health professionals, health care providers, and the general public on the epidemiology of GI illnesses and its prevention and control. Prepares GI Illness data for posting to the web. Reviews scientific literature as appropriate.
  • Other Duties as Assigned: Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

 

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

  • Knowledge of the principles and methods of epidemiology and related biostatistics
  • Knowledge of infectious diseases, especially gastrointestinal infectious diseases
  • Knowledge of infectious disease surveillance
  • Knowledge of microbiological laboratory procedures including PCR, PFGE and WGS
  • Ability to plan, conduct, and report on infectious disease surveillance and epidemiological investigations
  • Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
  • Ability to interpret laboratory results and apply them in outbreak investigations
  • Ability to apply the principles and methods of epidemiology as related to investigation of infectious diseases, especially gastrointestinal infectious diseases
  • Ability to build and manage databases
  • Ability to design and implement systems necessary to collect, maintain, and analyze data
  • Ability to analyze data and apply findings in outbreak investigations
  • Ability to work collaboratively on a team
  • Ability to work effectively with regional and local health department personnel, private practice physicians, and hospital staff
  • Ability to provide operational guidance and leadership to field staff
  • Ability to achieve grant deliverables
  • Ability to manage projects and facilitate trainings
  • Ability to train others in infectious disease surveillance and epidemiology
  • Skill in the use of Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Access, and statistical software
  • Skill in the use of National Electronic Disease Surveillance System and Labware or similar electronic interfaces

 

How to Apply 

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