Epidemiologist 3 (Infectious/Chronic Diseases) (35 Hour)

Within the State of Connecticut, Department of Public Health (DPH), Public Health Initiatives Tuberculosis (TB) Control Program, this Epidemiologist 3 (Infectious/Chronic Diseases) is responsible for providing oversight of as well as direct technical assistance to medical providers and local health departments in the management of patients diagnosed with TB disease.

These activities include educating local health departments and patients about TB, monitoring treatment adherence and complications, and assisting in interviews and contact investigations to identify others at risk for exposure for TB for testing and treatment. These activities can also include collecting specimens from patients (primarily respiratory) to facilitate diagnosis and monitor response to therapy.

In order to be considered for this job opening, you must be a current State of CT employee of the Department of Public Health, who has permanent state status*, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening.  You must specify your qualifications on your application. 

*For employees in the classified service, permanent status is obtained after successful completion of a working test period.  For employees in the unclassified service, permanent status is obtained after serving in a position for at least six months (full-time or full-time equivalent).

Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Deb Lyons at Deborah.Lyons@ct.gov, (860) 509-7180.

In the Department of Public Health this class is accountable for performing the most complex tasks as a specialist investigating infectious, chronic and non-infectious diseases and implementing disease prevention methods.

Supervises and is responsible for routine epidemiologic investigations; assumes lead responsibility for carrying out complex or non-routine investigations; develops and implements strategies for containment and control measures among identified high risk groups; writes outbreak investigation and other technical and analytical reports; collaborates in writing standard protocols for disease investigation, intervention and control; develops questionnaires and other research instruments; analyzes surveillance and outbreak data for trends and risk factors; designs and implements workshops and training sessions and conducts in-service training; prepares news releases relative to disease problems; uses other statewide data banks to complement disease surveillance data; assists with preparation of budgets, grants and contracts; participates in development of program goals and objectives; represents department at functions for health promotion and disease prevention; speaks before professional and lay groups; participates in performance evaluations of assigned staff; carries out related duties including those of Epidemiologist 1 and 2 levels as assigned; may establish and maintain a working network with federal and state agencies, local health departments, hospitals and professional and lay groups to promote and facilitate disease surveillance, intervention and control; performs related duties as required.

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; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; considerable statistical skills including familiarity with mainframe and/or personal computer applications and interpretation of data; considerable ability to perform complex epidemiological investigations; considerable ability to carry out all aspects of data collection, analysis and interpretation of epidemiological data independently; some supervisory ability.

 

Eight (8) years' experience conducting epidemiological investigations in a responsible technical or professional capacity.

Two (2) years' of the General Experience must have involved conducting the full range of tasks in epidemiologic investigations including interviewing and performing trend analyses at or above the level of Epidemiologist 2.

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 community medicine, public health 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 Medicine, Public Health or a behavioral or natural science may be substituted for one additional year of the General Experience.

• Experience performing outreach in diverse communities, including: interviewing and management of patients with tuberculosis (TB), working with interpreters, and performing TB-related directly observed therapy.
  
  
• Experience contacting and working with public health agencies, hospitals, medical providers, community based organizations and/or the general public to facilitate disease follow-up and surveillance, and/or to answer TB-related questions.
  
  
• Experience with oversight of epidemiological data, including collecting information, data entry, data analysis, and monitoring outcomes of outreach and treatment.
  
  
• Experience with supervision of other staff performing TB outreach and case management.
  
  
• Experience educating medical providers, health departments, and patients about TB, including giving oral presentations to diverse audiences.

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.

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.