Professional Healthcare Worker, Emerging Infections Program

Job Description

The Georgia Department of Public Health is seeking current MPH students to work on our food and waterborne epidemiology team.  The team consists of 6 epidemiologists and 3 to 5 other student interns conducting daily surveillance on notifiable enteric diseases (like Salmonella, Campylobacter, shiga toxin-producing E. coli, and Cryptosporidium).  As part of the internship, students will gain experience in applied public health through case reporting, case-patient telephone interviews, and data cleaning.  Students will also have the opportunity to assist with outbreak investigations (should an outbreak occur) and witness the interplay between federal, state, and local public health agencies.  In addition, these internships provide the opportunity to work in a dynamic team setting in the context of a larger state public health agency where routine duties must be balanced with new or emerging responses.  

Responsibilities and Expectations 

These positions could fulfill MPH practicum requirements. As part of a practicum experience, the student will:

1. Gain an understanding of how notifiable disease surveillance functions.
2. Understand how outbreak investigations are conducted.
3. Have an opportunity to analyze notifiable disease surveillance, study, and/or outbreak data.  

The schedule is flexible, but the employees must conduct interviews, enter data, and perform other activities at the Department of Public Health offices in downtown Atlanta during normal business hours for more than half of the total weekly work time.  Additional interviews and duties can be conducted during weeknight and weekend hours.  This job can potentially include more hours during the summer and holiday breaks.

These positions are temporary and intended for students enrolled in an accredited public health degree program as the intention of the job duties is to provide applied public health knowledge and skills. These positions are also limited to 2 years contingent on availability of funds.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and one year of work related experience or four years of work related experience at an executive level

Preferred Qualifications:

• Students seeking Master in Public Health or related degree from an accredited degree program
• Experience working with databases
• Experience conducting interviews
• Spanish-speaking

Click here to learn more about the positions and apply online!