Epidemiologist

DHRM•Richmond, VA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

This is a restricted position, which is solely funded by the P24-0047 High Impact HIV Prevention and Surveillance Programs for Health Departments for the period ending May 31, 2029. The availability of funding is scheduled for review before the grant expiration date and periodically thereafter. Continued employment is contingent on the continued availability of funds. The purpose of this position is to perform epidemiological assessment and surveillance within the HIV Surveillance unit. Epidemiologists will collect and report HIV data for both adult and pediatric patients; provide technical guidance to community partners and internal stakeholders; interpret laboratory data; perform data analysis; ensure data quality, accuracy and completeness. The entry-level epidemiologist within the Office of Epidemiology, Division of Disease Prevention, HIV & Hepatitis Surveillance unit is responsible for carrying out a range of investigative and analytical epidemiologic activities related to the surveillance, detection, and/or prevention of HIV events in an assigned region within a statewide program. Responsibilities include consulting on scientific and technical issues, conducting routine epidemiologic investigations, data collection/analysis, and providing health education and disease control recommendations. Positions in this role typically work under the close supervision of the HIV Surveillance Coordinator and/or a more senior epidemiologist or similar position. The work is assigned and reviewed for conformance with overall requirements, contribution to the assignment objectives, consistency of facts and figures, analytical methodology, and practicality of recommendations. This position collaborates with a variety of stakeholders in the collection of HIV data including local health department staff, Disease Intervention Specialists, hospital infection control practitioners, private physicians, prisons, blood banks and community-based organizations to collect, analyze and report HIV data while adhering to timeliness requirements and disease reporting regulations. Independently: reviews disease reports for complex conditions and determines appropriate action; determines if reported diseases meet case definitions; conducts epidemiologic investigations by obtaining and organizing follow-up for surveillance information from health care providers; evaluates the quality of the surveillance data; and provides disease control advice. Supervision is provided by the direct supervisor for handling unusual or complex technical or medical questions.

Requirements

Basic knowledge of the cause, transmission, treatment, and prevention of communicable diseases and other conditions of public health importance.
Basic knowledge of methods of public health surveillance and disease outbreak investigations.
Working knowledge of biostatistics, computer data analysis, data quality assurance, and data management techniques.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Strong customer service skills.
Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Demonstrated ability to collect, analyze, and present statistical data.
Some experience in epidemiology, public health, or a related area.

Nice To Haves

Training/experience in public health, epidemiology or biostatistics.
Some knowledge of federal and state laws, regulations, and policies regarding the reporting and control of disease.
Working knowledge of statistical software packages.
Experience with database management systems, especially those used to manage population-based disease data.

Responsibilities

Perform epidemiological assessment and surveillance within the HIV Surveillance unit.
Collect and report HIV data for both adult and pediatric patients.
Provide technical guidance to community partners and internal stakeholders.
Interpret laboratory data.
Perform data analysis.
Ensure data quality, accuracy and completeness.
Consult on scientific and technical issues.
Conduct routine epidemiologic investigations.
Provide health education and disease control recommendations.
Collaborate with a variety of stakeholders in the collection of HIV data including local health department staff, Disease Intervention Specialists, hospital infection control practitioners, private physicians, prisons, blood banks and community-based organizations.
Collect, analyze and report HIV data while adhering to timeliness requirements and disease reporting regulations.
Review disease reports for complex conditions and determine appropriate action.
Determine if reported diseases meet case definitions.
Conduct epidemiologic investigations by obtaining and organizing follow-up for surveillance information from health care providers.
Evaluate the quality of the surveillance data.
Provide disease control advice.