STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Epidemiologist 2 (Infectious/Chronic Diseases) (35 Hour)

Recruitment #180411-0287HC-001

Introduction

Within the Department of Public Health’s Infectious Diseases Section, this Epidemiologist 2 (Infectious/Chronic Disease) will support the Emerging Infections Program’s Multi-site Gram-negative Surveillance Initiative (MuGSI), and the work of the Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity’s Antibacterial Resistance Laboratory Network (ARLN), to monitor trends in carbapenem resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) and carbapenem resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB).

This Epidemiologist 2 will assist with case identification, collection of clinical and risk factor data, compilation of data for quality assurance activities, epidemiological analyses, and the investigation of patients identified with CRE and/or CRAB infections or colonization.

Questions about any phase of this recruitment should be directed to the hiring agency's human resources office: Deb Lyons at Deborah.Lyons@ct.gov or (860) 509-7180.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Public Health this class is accountable for performing the full range of tasks in investigating infectious, chronic and non-infectious diseases and implementing disease prevention methods.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Leads and participates in routine epidemiologic investigations to identify risk factors and implements and evaluates resulting intervention measures; collect and collates data including performing interviews; performs data analysis and summarizes relevant epidemiologic investigation data into tables, charts and written reports; provides technical information to the professional and lay public including local health departments; collaborates in the preparation and presentation of workshops; may respond to media inquiries; maintains an orderly surveillance system capable of detecting risk factors and changes in disease patterns; may administer biologics or collect specimens such as blood and urine samples, throat and rectal swabs under the supervision of a physician.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Considerable knowledge of infectious and/or chronic disease processes; considerable knowledge of relevant disease processes which affect humans and animals; considerable knowledge of epidemiological methods and techniques; knowledge of basic biological processes; oral and written communications skills; interpersonal skills; computer skills; ability to independently perform epidemiological investigations; ability to independently collect, analyze and interpret epidemiological data.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Six (6) years' experience in conducting epidemiological investigations in a responsible technical or professional capacity.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of the General Experience must have involved interviewing and performing trend analyses at or above the level of Epidemiologist 1.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

1. College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
2. A Master's degree in Public Health, Community Medicine or a related health science may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
3. A Doctorate in a related discipline such as Public Health, Medicine or a natural or behavioral science may be substituted for the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience conducting infectious disease surveillance by adhering to standardized data collection protocols;
• Experience assessing and abstracting epidemiological data from medical records while utilizing knowledge of relevant infectious disease processes and medical terminology, including experience interpreting clinical microbiology laboratory results;
• Experience working with clinical laboratory information management systems and/or microbial identification (ID) and antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) instruments (e.g. Vitek 2, BD Phoenix, Microscan);
• Experience independently using computer software (such as ACCESS, Excel, EpiInfo, SPSS, R, and SAS) for systematic data collection, data manipulation, and epidemiological analysis;
• Experience summarizing epidemiological data through the use of text and graphics to describe analyzed data, and communicating with healthcare professionals, laboratorians, local health department officials, and/or general public.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Incumbents in this class must be willing to be immunized for communicable diseases as necessary and appropriate.
2. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents in this class may be exposed to communicable diseases and hazardous substance.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The Department of Public Health aims to provide equal opportunity in all aspects of employment and advancement, fostering an environment committed to supporting individuals in all protected classes. If you require an aid/accommodation to participate fully and fairly, please contact the Human Resources Office at (860) 509-7177.