EPIDEMIOLOGY CONSULTANT SENIOR 53162

11/1/91 B

This is the second class in the Epidemiology Consultant series which is composed of positions responsible for the coordination/administration of an epidemiology program. Positions in this class are responsible for the operation of part of a statewide communicable disease program managed by a subunit within the Sexually Transmitted Disease department. Positions function as experts within their assigned area of responsibility, such as education and training, surveillance or data analysis. They review and evaluate the work of staff personnel, provide guidance and direction and may resolve difficulty/unusual problems. This class is distinguished from the Epidemiology Consultant by the latter's responsibility to coordinate a specific epidemiology program within a health region.

Complexity of Work: Performs work of considerable difficulty; interpreting program policies and procedures, training staff, and monitoring and reviewing data collection for accuracy. Analyzes statistics to evaluate program effectiveness and to recommend program changes to meet identified needs. Reviews policy manuals and instruction methods and recommends changes. Monitors and conducts formal evaluations of programs in local health departments. Plans and conducts in-service training for nurses and other health care providers. Instructs local health departments in record maintenance. Provides program information to health care providers and laboratory personnel to evaluate case reporting to recommend appropriate control and prevention methods. Recommends actions to enhance disease reporting, control and prevention efforts. Identifies, develops and implements training programs; provides technical or administrative guidance to staff members. Maintains a portion of a statewide surveillance system for the detection and reporting of one or more reportable conditions. Interprets state and federal laws regarding diseases. Investigates reports of disease outbreaks. Conducts education programs for schools, churches and organizations.

Supervision Given: Supervision is typically not a factor.

Supervision Received: Receives directions from an Epidemiologist Senior or other higher level position.

Scope: Operates a part of one of the following statewide programs: Education/Information, Surveillance, or Statistical Analysis.

Impact of Actions: Work has considerable impact on the methods used to report and monitor disease control and prevention activities, and the quality of educational programs provided to epidemiology staff and the public.

Personal Contacts: Frequent contact with the general public, patients, health care providers, infection control personnel, operators of private businesses, and/or public school officials to resolve operational problems and to coordinate agency, public and private epidemiological activities. Occasional contact with media representatives to represent assigned program.

Knowledge: Considerable knowledge of the cause, transmission, treatment, and prevention of communicable diseases; and of federal and state laws, regulations, and policies regarding the reporting and control of diseases. Some knowledge of biostatistics and laboratory testing.

Skills: Skill in venipuncture.

Abilities: Demonstrated ability to produce written and statistical reports, to coordinate and supervise the work of others, and to communicate effectively orally and in writing with health professionals and the general public.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDE*

Licenses or Certification: None.

Education or Training: Graduation from an accredited college or university with course work in public health or other health science.

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, skills 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 some of the positions in the Epidemiology Program Supervisor and the Epidemiology Program Representative A classes, effective November 1991.