EPIDEMIOLOGIST I

DEFINITION OF CLASS:

This is full performance level professional work as an Epidemiologist studying the occurrence and causes of health effects in the County population. Employees in this class conduct research studies to identify and report on patterns of disease and conditions that affect the health of the community. The work involves planning and coordinating disease investigation and local surveillance activities in order to evaluate the effectiveness of disease control measures and/or to prepare reports on community health indicators. Contacts are with the County Health Officer, County department managers and staff, representatives of County hospitals and laboratories, other private partner organizations, community groups, and individuals for the purpose of planning and implementing collaborative epidemiologic data collection/analysis efforts, providing technical advisory services, and/or coordinating emergency preparedness efforts. Work involves meeting with citizens or groups, but does not require providing daily, direct public service or assistance on a one-to-one basis.

An employee in this class applies considerable knowledge of the principles, concepts, and practices of the field of epidemiology and skill in bio-statistical data collection and analysis, data management and analysis software, and survey design and analysis to plan, design, develop, conduct, and prepare reports on epidemiologic studies. The employee is fully proficient in the field of epidemiology, plans and conducts all standard assignments independently, and handles most problems in work assignments in accordance with accepted epidemiologic/public health practices. Reference is made to the supervisor or a higher level epidemiologist when unusual situations without clear precedent arise and work products are subject to review for technical soundness, conformity to policy, and/or other requirements. Work is performed within the parameters of established principles and practices of public health; the requirements, standards, and methodology of epidemiologic research and investigation; accepted data analysis and reporting methods; and, administrative constraints. The employee is authorized to make modifications within prescribed guidelines (e.g., modification of computerized analytical tools). The work is made complex by the following factors: the presence of diverse functions within project assignments (i.e., data collection, validation, and analysis; data reporting and dissemination to technical and non-technical consumers); the presence of large volumes of different types of health statistics that must be grouped, interpreted, and analyzed for optimum validity of outcomes; and the incomplete and/or contradictory nature of data collected from a diversity of source points. The purpose of the work is to provide complete, accurate, and applicable epidemiologic data and reports which contribute to the development and implementation of public health programs that prevent/respond to disease outbreak and promote health. The work is primarily sedentary, is performed in an office environment, and presents no significant hazards.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES: (Illustrative Only)

Collects and analyzes health statistics for a specific public health program; provides statistical analysis of data; forecasts trends; compares health status indicators with established targets; compares program outcome measures with other jurisdictions and with State/Federal data; documents analytic work and prepares reports, including description of methods used, the findings, interpretation of the findings, and graphical illustrations of program data.

Participates in the design, planning, and execution of major epidemiologic investigations and studies; processes and analyzes collected data in order to determine changes in trends and probable causes of epidemiological problems; participates in implementation and evaluation of control or prevention measures; characterizes the nature of problems identified from collected data; recommends additional investigations or studies which are indicated from data analyses; prepares reports of findings and recommendations.

Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with State, Federal, regional, and local partners as well as County departments and agencies to provide consultation, to exchange of epidemiologic and health-related data and information, and to coordinate the conduct of epidemiologic studies; obtains large electronic data bases from State and Federal agencies, hospitals, and other sources of health statistics in order to determine patterns of disease and conditions that affect the health of the community.

Presents health-related data and graphical illustrations of program data to County, professional, community, and medical groups; replies to requests for data from the general public regarding disease occurrence, risk factors, and control of those factors.

Performs related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience: Four years of experience as an Epidemiologist subsequent to receipt of Master's Degree.
Education: Masters Degree in public health with four graduate courses in epidemiology and two graduate courses in biostatistics.
Equivalency: A Dr.P.H. or Ph.D in Public Health, including four graduate courses in epidemiology and two graduate courses in biostatistics, and two years of experience may be substituted.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Considerable knowledge of principles and practices of public health.
Considerable knowledge of the principles, practices, current developments, and techniques of epidemiology including study design, analytical procedures, and interpretive methods.
Considerable knowledge of the principles and methods of biostatistical analysis.
Knowledge of and ability to use computer software to manage, manipulate, and analyze large and complex data bases.
Knowledge of current Federal and State health data collection practices.
Knowledge of medical terminology and health information.
Ability to gather, organize, and present facts and statistical data in a clear, concise, and logical manner, both orally and in writing, to technical and non-technical audiences.
Ability to develop working relationships with County public health department staff and local public/private sector partners.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Ability to attend meetings or perform other assignments at locations outside the office as necessary.

LICENSE: None

PROBATIONARY PERIOD:

Individuals appointed or promoted to this class will be required to serve a probationary period of six months, during which time performance will be carefully evaluated. Continuation in this class will be contingent upon successful completion of the probationary period.

MEDICAL PROTOCOL: Medical History Review

Class Established: June, 2005
March, 2007
April, 2007