Massachusetts Cancer Registry Epidemiologist

Commonwealth of Massachusetts•Boston, MA

About The Position

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is seeking an applied Epidemiologist II for the Massachusetts Cancer Registry (MACR), reporting to the MACR Director. The position investigates cancer processes and patterns and the environmental and social factors that affect them by analyzing epidemiological data, designing and implementing research, and interpreting studies on cancer incidence, distribution, and control in the population. The Epidemiologist supports and oversees epidemiology initiatives, coordinates statewide and city/town cancer incidence reports, and contributes to improvements in those reports. The role provides technical assistance and subject-matter expertise on cancer epidemiology and MACR data, conducts cancer surveillance analyses using statistical software, and applies advanced statistical methods to cancer-related health indicators. It also responds to external data requests in accordance with IRB regulations, supports research consultants, reviews research proposals as part of the MDPH IRB Committee, and evaluates cancer-related data availability and utility. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s mission is to prevent illness, injury, and premature death; assure access to high-quality public health and health care services; and promote wellness and health equity. The department coordinates programs and policies addressing diseases and conditions, supports vulnerable populations, monitors health status, manages vital records, and works with local boards of health and community partners.

Requirements

Knowledge of epidemiology principles and practices, including biostatistics.
Familiarity with biology and disease processes, particularly basic cancer etiology, pathogenesis, and pathology.
Understanding of statistical and scientific report-writing methods and ability to write technical reports.
Ability to prepare and use charts and diagrams.
Ability to maintain accurate records and documentation.
Ability to establish rapport and deal tactfully with others.
Ability to work in a team and establish and maintain harmonious working relationships.
Ability to exercise sound judgment.
Ability to design analysis plans, collect and manage epidemiological data, conduct statistical analyses using appropriate software, interpret findings, and make recommendations.
Ability to give precise, understandable written and oral instructions and communicate effectively through writing and oral presentations.
At least five years of full-time or equivalent part-time professional or technical experience in a listed related field, including at least two years in a professional capacity, or an equivalent combination of experience and permitted education substitutions.
A bachelor’s degree in a listed related field may substitute for up to two years of the required experience.
A master’s degree or higher in a listed related field may substitute for up to three years of the required experience and one year of the professional-capacity experience; educational substitution is limited to one year of the latter requirement.

Nice To Haves

Awareness of policies, procedures, specifications, standards, and guidelines governing assigned unit activities.
Knowledge of the types and uses of agency forms and equipment.
Knowledge of the Bureau’s operating network.
Detailed knowledge of current key public health issues.
Knowledge of questionnaire design.
Knowledge of issues in collecting population-based surveillance data.
Demonstrated knowledge of special issues in analyzing population-based surveillance data.
Knowledge of the form, content, application, and limitations of existing agency databases and ways to enhance them and ensure their integrity.

Responsibilities

Support, contribute to, and execute epidemiologic initiatives.
Oversee epidemiology activities under the direction of the MACR Director.
Coordinate MACR statewide and city/town cancer incidence reports and propose improvements.
Assist with documentation requests from major grant partners, including the CDC, NPCR, and NAACCR.
Provide technical assistance to MACR and other MDPH staff and programs on cancer epidemiology.
Serve as the MACR data subject-matter expert on data definitions, quality, completeness, and analytical application.
Perform cancer surveillance analyses using statistical software such as SAS, SEERStat, and Joinpoint.
Apply advanced statistical methods, including multivariate model construction, to cancer-related health indicators such as staging, grade, time to treatment initiation, and survival.
Respond, under the MACR Director’s guidance, to external data requests from citizens, media, and researchers in accordance with IRB regulations.
Liaise among the MDPH IRB, MDPH staff, and research consultants.
Review research proposals (24A applications) as part of the MDPH IRB Committee and provide data to researchers whose applications are approved.
Serve as a lead collaborator between MDPH staff and research consultants.
Support and promote effective utilization of MACR data by research consultants.
Research and evaluate MDPH cancer-related data and information regarding availability and utility; identify reporting gaps and develop summary measures and models.