Epidemiologist Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• Be willing and able to work in the office or in the field daily to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position.
• Be authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship.
• Be willing to work before, during, and/or beyond normal work hours or days during an emergency; emergency duties may include in-state or out-of-state deployment.
• Ability to apply advanced epidemiological principles and practices.
• Skill in conducting thorough epidemiological case investigations and timely follow-up.
• Ability to complete assessments as part of epidemiological investigations.
• Ability to correctly interpret laboratory results and apply appropriate control measures based on state and federal guidance.
• Skill in collecting data and ensuring high data quality.
• Skill in data analysis and interpretation.
• Ability to use problem-solving techniques and complete reports in a timely manner.
• Ability to use basic computer and office equipment and programs, including MS Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Publisher, statistical software such as Epi Info, and syndromic surveillance systems such as ESSENCE and Merlin.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with coworkers and stakeholders.
• Ability to design complex research projects and analytical assessments.
• Ability to write effectively in a technical format for journals and peer-reviewed journals.
• Ability to learn and communicate effectively in English, orally and in writing.

Nice To Haves

• Graduate of an accredited college or university Master’s degree program in Epidemiology, Public Health, or natural or physical science.
• Four years of experience in infectious disease investigations in a public sector health department may be substituted for a Master’s degree.
• At least three years of professional experience conducting acute infectious disease investigations in a public health department, specifically involving “suspect immediately” and “immediately” reportable diseases under FAC 64D-3.029.

Responsibilities

• Conduct epidemiologic investigations, surveillance, and interventions related to healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial-resistant organisms.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on infection prevention and control practices, HAI organisms, public health surveillance, and epidemiological investigations.
• Provide timely infection prevention and control consultation to health care organizations and congregate settings.
• Analyze, evaluate, research, and interpret scientific guidelines, protocols, policies, and regulations.
• Support HAI/AR investigations, including outbreak or case creation in Merlin.
• Support onsite infection prevention and control assessments, including reviewing facility infection prevention plans, observing practices using standardized tools such as the ICAR Tool, and assessing surveillance capacity.
• Conduct follow-up site assessments within three weeks of initial visits to assess implementation of mitigation recommendations.
• Document onsite findings in reports or tracking systems and provide key findings and recommendations to participating facilities.
• Train, coordinate, review, and evaluate disease surveillance and investigation activities.
• Educate and train facilities on participating in HAI investigations and response, including ICARs, contaminated medical products, and routine facility outbreaks.
• Coordinate laboratory support for testing and typing specimens and isolates with Regional Epidemiologists and the Bureau of Public Health Laboratories.
• Collaborate with health care facilities and congregate settings to improve outbreak detection and reporting.
• Provide technical guidance and complete epidemiological investigations for required communicable disease and condition reporting in Orange County, including emerging pathogens, and assist neighboring counties as requested.
• Coordinate, investigate, analyze, and control community outbreaks of suspected diseases for emerging or novel infectious disease preparedness and response.
• Attend or facilitate meetings and conferences representing the department, appear at public meetings, and lecture to groups as requested.
• Participate in local, regional, or statewide training and exercises for county health department staff and public health partners.
• Participate in quality improvement trainings and exercises involving the county health department, including clinical sites.
• Participate in rotational on-call activities using radio or telephone contacting systems and respond within 15 minutes of call initiation.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Annual and sick leave
• Nine paid holidays and one personal holiday each year
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and supplemental insurance
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Tuition waivers