Epidemiology Investigator 3 (PN 20014591)

State of Ohio • Columbus, OH

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Bureau of Infectious Diseases is seeking an Epidemiology Investigator 3 to initiate, propose, design, & conducts epidemiologic surveillance, projects, research, & investigations pertaining to healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), antimicrobial-resistant (AR) organisms, & other emerging pathogens. This position will coordinate data collection, ensure quality control, & oversee epidemiological database management for the Healthcare-Associated Infections/Antimicrobial Resistance (HAI/AR) Program. It will monitor & assess incidence, prevalence, & changing distribution of HAIs, AR organisms, & other emerging infectious diseases in Ohio through epidemiologic analysis of surveillance data. The role provides technical advice & guidance on surveillance methods, study design, data collection, & data management related to HAI/AR surveillance projects or outbreak investigations to staff in local health departments (LHDs) & other agencies. The investigator will work independently on surveillance & investigation projects as assigned, initiate, design, & conduct research & analytic activities to investigate clusters & outbreaks including virtual or onsite visits to improve the understanding of HAIs & AR organisms in Ohio, & to monitor the impact of HAI/AR programmatic activities & progress toward implementation of program prevention workplans. The position will submit, or arrange for submission of specimens associated with HAI/AR cases, clusters, or outbreaks to the ODH Public Health Laboratory &/or regional Antimicrobial Resistance Laboratory Network (ARLN) lab for confirmation & characterization. It also provides technical advice & guidance to healthcare facilities, LHDs, & the public regarding identification, prevention, & control of HAIs & AR organisms based on current recommendations. The role conducts computerized epidemiological & statistical analysis using appropriate statistical software (e.g., SAS, REDCap) to evaluate effectiveness of HAI/AR surveillance & control activities. It analyzes & interprets epidemiologic trends to produce technical reports and data visualizations to support public health findings and responds to information requests from health care providers, public health officials & the general public regarding the epidemiology of HAIs & AR organisms in Ohio. The investigator will also assist the supervisor with administrative duties.

Requirements

• Completion of graduate core program in public health or preventive medicine AND 3 courses or 9 mos. exp. in use of statistical computer software packages AND 6 mos. exp. as epidemiology investigator with local or federal health agency AND must be able to provide own transportation.
• Or 6 mos. exp. as Epidemiology Investigator 2, 65762; must be able to provide own transportation.
• Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications For Employment noted above.
• Graduate or advanced degree in public health or preventive medicine.
• Courses in epidemiology.
• Experience working with statewide epidemiologic databases.
• Experience with case finding and active follow-up (e.g., case management) for an infectious disease or health condition.
• Experience in statistical software (e.g., SAS, STATA or SPSS).
• Experience interpreting and conducting a statistical analysis of health-related data.
• Experience working outbreak investigations.
• Experience as a lead worker.
• Must be able to provide own transportation.
• Must be able to provide own transportation.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with statewide epidemiologic databases
• Experience with case finding and active follow-up (e.g., case management) for an infectious disease or health condition
• Experience in statistical software (e.g., SAS, STATA or SPSS)
• Experience interpreting and conducting a statistical analysis of health-related data
• Experience working outbreak investigations
• Experience as a lead worker

Responsibilities

• Initiate, propose, design, & conduct epidemiologic surveillance, projects, research, & investigations pertaining to healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), antimicrobial-resistant (AR) organisms, & other emerging pathogens.
• Coordinate data collection, ensure quality control, & oversee epidemiological database management for the Healthcare-Associated Infections/Antimicrobial Resistance (HAI/AR) Program.
• Monitor & assess incidence, prevalence, & changing distribution of HAIs, AR organisms, & other emerging infectious diseases in Ohio through epidemiologic analysis of surveillance data.
• Provide technical advice & guidance on surveillance methods, study design, data collection, & data management related to HAI/AR surveillance projects or outbreak investigations to staff in local health departments (LHDs) & other agencies.
• Work independently on surveillance & investigation projects as assigned.
• Initiate, design, & conduct research & analytic activities to investigate clusters & outbreaks including virtual or onsite visits to improve the understanding of HAIs & AR organisms in Ohio, & to monitor the impact of HAI/AR programmatic activities & progress toward implementation of program prevention workplans.
• Submit, or arrange for submission of specimens associated with HAI/AR cases, clusters, or outbreaks to the ODH Public Health Laboratory &/or regional Antimicrobial Resistance Laboratory Network (ARLN) lab for confirmation & characterization.
• Provide technical advice & guidance to healthcare facilities, LHDs, & the public regarding identification, prevention, & control of HAIs & AR organisms based on current recommendations.
• Conduct computerized epidemiological & statistical analysis using appropriate statistical software (e.g., SAS, REDCap) to evaluate effectiveness of HAI/AR surveillance & control activities.
• Analyze & interpret epidemiologic trends to produce technical reports and data visualizations to support public health findings.
• Respond to information requests from health care providers, public health officials & the general public regarding the epidemiology of HAIs & AR organisms in Ohio.
• Assist supervisor with administrative duties.

Benefits

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems ( such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS ) & Optional Deferred Compensation ( Ohio Deferred Compensation )

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level