Leadership for Healthy People and Communities

Details
 

10/18/2019

Position: Epidemiologist

Portage County Health District

Full Time/ Part Time: Full Time – Non-Exempt
Work Schedule: Monday – Friday 8am- 4:30pm. Hours may vary. May require some weekend and evening work.
Salary Range: $22.00-$26.00 Commensurate with experience

Job Description: Investigations of infectious diseases both naturally occurring and bioterrorist incidents. Enters case information into the Ohio Disease Reporting System (ODRS). Interprets and implements local, state, and federal guidelines related to infectious disease control. Supports the monitoring of various infectious disease surveillance systems (i.e., epicenter anomalies, ODRS, etc.) for significant disease trends and early detection of emerging infectious diseases. Investigates, coordinates, and/or assists with all reported disease outbreaks or illness clusters. Collaborate with internal and external partners on special projects as assigned. Reviews, evaluates, and analyzes public health data to inform community stakeholders and partners. Participates in public health emergency activities as needed. Collaboration with community partners.

PRIMARY TASKS & RESPONSIBILITIES

Surveillance/ODRS

Epidemiologist ensures overall data management for individual disease reports and outbreak investigations. Collect data for surveillance of communicable diseases in the community by abstracting data from confidential medical or public health records or through survey and other epidemiological approaches.

1. Data quality and review
2. Assure that the appropriate case definitions are utilized in case investigations.
3. Maintains data integrity by ensuring disease/case reports entered into ODRS are complete, accurate, & timely.
4. Evaluate surveillance system
5. Timeliness and completeness of reports to local health jurisdictions (local reporting, ODRS,sentinel influenza surveillance, specialized disease or syndrome surveillance).
6. Evaluate disease reports to identify gaps in reporting.
7. Improving Disease Surveillance
8. Work with other LHD staff to improve reporting in jurisdiction (s).
9. Use ODH guidance "Guidelines to improving infectious disease reporting in LHD."
10. Data Analysis
11. Monitor disease trends
12. Create statistical reports
13. Perform early event (e.g. EPI center) surveillance activities in designated area.
14. Respond to request for local data.
15. Conduct descriptive analysis of epidemiology of reported diseases.
16. Initiate investigation when disease reports (routine or syndromic data) indicate and increased incidence.
17. Collaborate with health department staff, hospitals, infection control specialists, physicians, schools, ODH, and others to provide a comprehensive approach to surveillance and follow up of communicable diseases.
18. Maintains confidentiality according to HIPAA Privacy rules.

Investigation

Interpret data and draw accurate conclusions based on sound scientific principles. Investigate potential epidemic situations of infectious diseases using accepted epidemiology methods to determine the cause, nature, and consequences of reported diseases. Utilize the Infectious Disease Manual (IDCM) guidelines for investigation, prevention and control of infectious diseases.

Know and implement the steps of an outbreak investigation.

• Assure that appropriate case definitions are utilized in outbreak investigations.
• Coordinate or assist local outbreak or case investigation(s).
• Develop instrument (questionnaire)
• Collect data
• Review records
• Coordinate with nursing, environmental health, and other LHD staff about responsibilities and duties during an outbreak investigation.
• Assist with preparing materials that can be distributed to media, patients or the general public regarding the outbreak or disease under investigation.
• Coordinate or assist cross jurisdictional investigations
• Integrate with Incident Command structure for the investigation
• Write or assist to write final summary report of the outbreak investigation.
• Complete appropriate CDC forms for outbreak investigations (e.g. foodborne, waterborne) and ensure data is entered into the Ohio Disease Reporting System (ODRS) and the
• National Outbreak Reporting System (NORS) in a timely manner.
• Use statistical and database software to collect and analyze outbreak data.

OTHER TASKS & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist with animal bite investigations and associated disease surveillance and follow up.
• Completes reports and provides client and community education associated with this program in a culturally appropriate manner.
• Participates in emergency preparedness planning and training as assigned.
• May provide trainings/in-services about ODRS, reporting, and investigation to other Public Health Nurse (PHN) Staff or health care providers in the community.
• Maintain records, conducts chart audits, and assists with client satisfaction surveys.
• Conducts community assessments and surveys, tabulates and analyzes survey results.
• Assists the DON to review and revise policies, procedures, and protocols. Attend meetings, conferences, trainings in order to maintain clinical skills and knowledge.
• Participates in health fairs and other community activities to present information, promote good health and promote health department programs.

Organizational

Duties: Participate in quality improvement team projects and quality improvement training initiatives as applicable/ required and incorporate the principles of quality improvement into daily work activities. Incident Command System/National Incident Management System Training. Level to be determined by Preparedness Coordinator. Provides emergency response support. Other duties as assigned. Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Minimum Qualifications: Master’s in public health with concentration in Epidemiology. Communicable disease control or related experience preferred. Valid driver’s license and insurance. Ability to efficiently multi-task on a daily basis. Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and/or other data/statistical software preferred. Good customer service, verbal and written communication skills, and effective presentation skills, good interpersonal relationship skills including cultural sensitivity & competence. Proficiency with use of databases and for data querying and reporting. Mathematical aptitude necessary to perform statistical analysis.

Pre-Employment Testing Requirements: Criminal Background Check, Pre-employment Drug Testing

Work Environment: General office setting in the Health Department facility requiring sedentary to light work which may include sitting, walking, climbing, reaching, standing, talking, and listening with occasional exposure to adverse environmental conditions. The role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Apply: Please send cover letter and resume to: Joseph J. Diorio, MPH, MS, RS Health Commissioner Portage County Health District 705 Oakwood Street, 2nd Floor Ravenna, OH 44266 or email Sarah Meduri, BSPH, Personnel Officer at Smeduri@portageco.com

Posting Period: October 18, 2019 until position filled

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