Job Description

Participates in surveillance and research activities pertaining to infectious diseases of public health importance as part of the New York State (NYS) Emerging Infections Program (EIP), one of 10 national, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) EIP sites. Serves as an entry-level epidemiologist responsible for carrying out a range of investigative and analytical epidemiologic activities related to the surveillance, detection, and prevention of infectious diseases. Works as a team or project member, under the direction of a Senior-level Epidemiologist, conducting routine epidemiologic functions comprising surveillance, uses clinical judgment to complete case report forms, networking with local and regional laboratories and hospitals, and data management and analysis using basic epidemiologic methods. Responds with flexibility to the changing needs of the EIP by implementing additional surveillance activities as needed.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Identifies surveillance data needs, including reviewing and analyzing all potential cases on a daily basis for inclusion in surveillance, as part of the CDC EIP in NYS. Performs medical chart review to identify specific criteria for inclusion and makes judgments on the inclusion of specific data on the care form, including but not limited to, medication administration and laboratory tests from sterile site specimens. Reports key findings from the surveillance system and supports evaluation of the surveillance system by participating in data validation. Maintains CDC databases, including compliance with CDC’s timelines for data entry, transmission, cleaning and validation.
• Participates on internal and external committees and workgroups related to areas of expertise. Represents Rochester EIP on CDC-led Surveillance Officer (SO) and at in-person SO meetings. Maintains relationships and communication with catchment area laboratories.  Oversees all aspects of shipment of specimens from these laboratories for confirmatory testing.
• Conducts literature reviews and assists in preparing reports from analyses of surveillance data, literature reviews and other information using behavioral science, demographic and epidemiologic analytic techniques and evaluation. Follows direction from senior scientists and integrates other perspectives. Makes oral presentations to diverse audiences, both scientific and nonscientific. Contributes to data analysis of surveillance data utilizing SAS and other programs.
• Provides administrative leadership and technical guidance to lower-level professional, technical and administrative support staff.
• Coordinates maintenance of project resources, the preparation of data for budget requests and financial summary reports.

Qualifications

Education

• Required:  Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Epidemiology or relevant field
• Preferred: Master’s degree in Public Health (MPH) or Master’s of Science degree in public health (MSPH) with a focus on epidemiology or analysis and assessment

Experience

• Required:  1 year of relevant work experience or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Preferred:  Epidemiology coursework and experience performing epidemiology work under the guidance of a senior-level epidemiologist. Experience in health research and SAS (or other analytics and data management software).

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Required:  Knowledge of health research, medical terminology and clinical concepts; knowledge of Intermediate Excel functions; strong communication, presentation and interpersonal skills; ability to work independently and collaboratively with a team; ability to travel locally to visit program partners an available to attend regional and/or national meetings when necessary.
• Preferred:  Knowledge of SAS or other analytics and data management software