EPIDEMIOLOGIST III - 64002765

State of Florida

7d • $2,197 - $2,334 • Onsite

About The Position

This is highly independent epidemiology position in the area of communicable disease control within the Epidemiology Section of a large county health department in central Florida. Disease surveillance, investigation and control are integral components of duties which often require field work. Provides a broad range of services in the Epidemiology Program as a full-time County Epidemiologist. Provides technical guidance and completes epidemiological investigations for reported and emerging infectious diseases and conditions of public health importance in Orange County. Investigates, analyzes, and controls suspected outbreaks of infectious diseases in the community. Collaborates with partners for emerging infectious disease response including implementation of non-pharmaceutical interventions such as isolation and quarantine and ensuring and facilitating appropriate laboratory testing. Partners may include: health care practitioners and facilities; child care centers, schools and colleges; correctional facilities; county, state, and federal agencies with public health-related responsibilities; nongovernmental organizations; the general public; and others. Provides assistance as requested for neighboring counties as it relates to emerging infectious disease investigations. Provides assistance to the State Epidemiology Office as necessary. Uses existing and implements new queries in the syndromic disease surveillance system (ESSENCE-FL) to identify potential disease outbreaks. Monitors and follows up on syndromic disease reporting activities for evidence of biologic events that may be linked to terrorism or potential disease outbreaks. Analyzes and provides comparative data and syndromic disease reports from peer counties and from available national syndromic reporting systems. Confers with state and national syndromic systems as necessary. Reports significant findings to appropriate staff and agencies, including law enforcement, as necessary. Conducts general epidemiological interviews, investigations, and follow-up activities on cases as per Chapter 381 FS, including identification of sporadic cases and outbreaks and implementation of control measures. Follow up and investigates suspect and confirmed Reportable Diseases and Conditions per Chapter 381.0031 (1,2) FS. These are diseases and conditions which can impact the public health in the community. They are, but not limited to immunization preventable diseases, meningitis, encephalitis, hepatitis, parasitic diseases, zoonotic diseases, bioterrorism agents and toxins. Conducts hospital and health care facility visits, and potentially home visits, to complete epidemiological reports, observe conditions, educate, counsel, and recommend course of action on mode of disease transmission and prevention measures as necessary. Ensures clients receive emergency prophylactic treatment or immunizations as needed. Prepares records and reports as indicated including programmatic reports, monthly reports, and performance reports. Acts as influenza surveillance coordinator, monitoring systems in collaboration with health department management and with community stakeholders. Responsible for obtaining, maintaining, enter and transmitting flu surveillance data within established time frames. Responds to biological events within an incident command structure under an emergency support function and in state and local law enforcement/emergency services events. Coordinates activities with regional and local agencies in biological training and events. The incumbent will participate in hospital readiness activities and outbreak assessments. Participates in pandemic flu preparedness activities. Attends and/or facilitates meetings and attends conferences representing the department. Appears at public meetings, lectures to groups as requested. Participates in local, regional or statewide training and exercises directed to county health department staff and public health partners. Participates in quality improvement trainings and exercises as it relates to the county health department including clinical sites. Develops reports and performs other duties as necessary. Participates in rotational on-call activities including utilization of radio/telephone contacting systems with the CHD and medical community and must respond within 15 minutes of initiation of call. Performs other duties as required.

Requirements

• Currently an employee of the Florida Department of Health.
• A bachelor’s degree in Epidemiology, Public Health, or biological science (or 4 years of professional experience conducting infectious disease investigation/control or infection prevention activities in a health department setting in lieu of a bachelor’s degree).
• 1 year of professional experience designing, conducting, and evaluating epidemiologic studies in a health department setting.
• Willing to work before, during, and/or beyond normal work hours or days in the event of an emergency? This may include working in a special needs or Red Cross shelter, or performing other emergency duties including, but not limited to, responses to or threats involving any disaster or threat of disaster, man-made or natural. Emergency duties may also include in-state and/or out-of-state deployment.
• Knowledge of basic epidemiological principles and practices
• Skill to conduct epidemiological investigative case follow up
• Ability to communicate effectively with clients, staff and the community
• Ability to utilize problem-solving techniques
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others
• Ability to document work products
• Basic computer skills, and skill to use office equipment and epidemiology programs, including Windows, Outlook, MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, EpiInfo
• Skill to complete assessments as part of the epidemiological investigation
• Ability to prepare and complete reports
• Skill to write in a technical format for journal and peer referred journals
• Ability to formulate policies and Procedures
• Knowledge of basic epidemiological principles and practices
• Skill to collect and analyze disease surveillance data
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Skill to conduct epidemiological investigative case follow up
• Ability to communicate effectively with clients, staff and the community
• Ability to utilize problem-solving techniques
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to document work products
• Skill to complete assessments as part of the epidemiological investigation
• Knowledge of public health emergency response needs and capabilities
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Ability to prepare and deliver presentations to staff and the community
• Ability to communicate effectively with clients, staff and the community
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments

Nice To Haves

• Have 3 post-graduate level or higher courses in epidemiology verifiable by graduate school transcript.
• Have 1 post-graduate level biostatistics course verifiable by graduate school transcript.
• Graduate or current student in an accredited college or university Master's degree program in Epidemiology, Public Health, or biological science.
• Greater than 3 years of professional experience conducting acute infectious disease investigations, specifically "suspect immediately" and "immediately" reportable diseases per FAC 64D-3.029, in a public health department.

Responsibilities

• Disease surveillance, investigation and control
• Provides technical guidance and completes epidemiological investigations for reported and emerging infectious diseases and conditions of public health importance in Orange County.
• Investigates, analyzes, and controls suspected outbreaks of infectious diseases in the community.
• Collaborates with partners for emerging infectious disease response including implementation of non-pharmaceutical interventions such as isolation and quarantine and ensuring and facilitating appropriate laboratory testing.
• Uses existing and implements new queries in the syndromic disease surveillance system (ESSENCE-FL) to identify potential disease outbreaks.
• Monitors and follows up on syndromic disease reporting activities for evidence of biologic events that may be linked to terrorism or potential disease outbreaks.
• Analyzes and provides comparative data and syndromic disease reports from peer counties and from available national syndromic reporting systems.
• Conducts general epidemiological interviews, investigations, and follow-up activities on cases as per Chapter 381 FS, including identification of sporadic cases and outbreaks and implementation of control measures.
• Follow up and investigates suspect and confirmed Reportable Diseases and Conditions per Chapter 381.0031 (1,2) FS.
• Conducts hospital and health care facility visits, and potentially home visits, to complete epidemiological reports, observe conditions, educate, counsel, and recommend course of action on mode of disease transmission and prevention measures as necessary.
• Ensures clients receive emergency prophylactic treatment or immunizations as needed.
• Prepares records and reports as indicated including programmatic reports, monthly reports, and performance reports.
• Acts as influenza surveillance coordinator, monitoring systems in collaboration with health department management and with community stakeholders.
• Responsible for obtaining, maintaining, enter and transmitting flu surveillance data within established time frames.
• Responds to biological events within an incident command structure under an emergency support function and in state and local law enforcement/emergency services events.
• Coordinates activities with regional and local agencies in biological training and events.
• The incumbent will participate in hospital readiness activities and outbreak assessments.
• Participates in pandemic flu preparedness activities.
• Attends and/or facilitates meetings and attends conferences representing the department.
• Appears at public meetings, lectures to groups as requested.
• Participates in local, regional or statewide training and exercises directed to county health department staff and public health partners.
• Participates in quality improvement trainings and exercises as it relates to the county health department including clinical sites.
• Develops reports and performs other duties as necessary.
• Participates in rotational on-call activities including utilization of radio/telephone contacting systems with the CHD and medical community and must respond within 15 minutes of initiation of call.
• Performs other duties as required.

Benefits

• Annual and Sick Leave benefits;
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year;
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options;
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions
• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Tuition waivers;

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees