EPIDEMIOLOGIST 53152

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This is the second class in the Epidemiology series, which is composed of positions that coordinate, administer and manage epidemiology programs. Positions in this class either direct all regional epidemiology programs or manage a subunit with statewide responsibility, within an epidemiology department. Duties include investigating disease outbreaks, analyzing disease trends, recommending disease control measures, disseminating information and coordinating education and training programs. It is distinguished from the Epidemiology Manager by the latter's responsibility to manage a statewide epidemiology program.

Complexity of Work: Performs work of considerable difficulty requiring the management and supervision of all regional epidemiology programs or the management of a segment of a statewide program. Regional positions are responsible for managing the disease reporting and control activities within a health region. Duties include surveillance system maintenance; disease outbreak management; technical consultation to medical care providers; Immunization, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, and Tuberculosis program management; and program staff supervision and program evaluation. Directs and/or coordinates investigative and control activities during outbreaks; interviews and administers questionnaires to people involved in an outbreak. Develops and implements methodology for data collection and analysis, recommends and implements methodology for data collection and analysis, recommends and implements direct application of control measures to prevent further outbreaks; prepares technical reports of disease occurrences. Develops strategic plans for disease reporting and control. Interprets program policies and procedures. Recommends budget allocations for disease reporting and control services. Central office positions review and analyze disease reports for inclusion in the state's disease surveillance system. Manages a statewide surveillance system for the detection and reporting of reportable conditions; coordinates statewide epidemiology programs for providing and/or conducting program audits and evaluations. Reviews laboratory reports for diagnostic results and gathers additional data from physicians and hospitals to confirm diagnosis. Completes disease surveillance reports and submits them to the federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Tabulates case numbers for the CDC, bulletins, and year-end reporting. Provides information and educational consultations regarding disease prevention; interprets federal and state laws, rules, and regulations for care providers. Develops program objectives and prepares written and statistical materials for grant applications and narratives.

Supervision Given: In regional offices, positions normally supervise Epidemiology Program Supervisor Seniors and/or Epidemiology Consultants; Central office positions normally supervise Epidemiology Consultant Seniors.

Supervision Received: Receives general direction from an Epidemiology Manager, medical Program Director or higher level positions.

Scope: Positions in this class direct regional epidemiology programs or coordinate assigned segments of a statewide program.

Impact of Actions: Work has a significant impact on the effectiveness of programs responsible for the timely intervention and control of communicable diseases. Failure to properly perform assigned duties will result in fragmentation of program services, with ineffective disease intervention activities.

Personal Contacts: Frequent internal and external contact with state, regional, district, and local health department personnel to discuss disease reports and data analysis; with laboratory services to discuss laboratory test results; and with care providers, media representatives, and the general public to provide information and education and to interpret laws, rules, and regulations.

Knowledge: Considerable knowledge of the cause, transmission, treatment, and prevention of communicable and non-communicable disease, of methods of investigating disease outbreaks; and of federal and state laws, regulations, and policies regarding the reporting and control of disease. Working knowledge of biostatistics, of computer data analysis and data management techniques.

Skills: None identified for this class.

Abilities: Demonstrated ability to develop program goals and objectives and to evaluate program effectiveness; to train, supervise, and evaluate subordinates; to establish and maintain effective working relationships; to collect and analyze statistical data; and to communicate effectively orally and in writing with health care professionals and the general public.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDE*

Licenses or Certification: None.

Education or Training: Graduation from an accredited college or university with advanced course work in public health, epidemiology, or biostatistics.

Level and Type of Experience: Experience in epidemiology, public health, or a related area.

An equivalent combination of training and experience indicating possession of the preceding knowledge and abilities may substitute for this education and experience.

This class specification is the result of a Classification Review/Specification Update program study and replaces the Epidemiologist class, effective November 1991.