Epidemiologist 1 (Infectious/Chronic Diseases) (35 Hour)

The State of Connecticut, Department of Public Health (DPH), is currently recruiting for an Epidemiologist 1 (Infections/Chronic Diseases) within the Maternal Child Health Epidemiology unit within the Community, Family Health and Prevention Section (CFHPS). The CFHPS works to improve the health of the overall population across the lifespan, especially mothers, infants, children, adolescents and other vulnerable groups, by establishing opportunities that support healthy living habits through education, early detection, access to care and chronic disease prevention. This Epidemiologist 1 will assist with operations of the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) and will perform data quality improvement activities including matching between the Connecticut Vital Records System (ConnVRS) Roster importer and the Maven Newborn Screening System (NSS); and will support Maternal and Child Health Block Grant (MCHBG) annual data reporting.

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

In the Department of Public Health this class is accountable for assisting is the compilation and interpretation of epidemiologic/scientific data and statistics including field investigations and literature review.

Assists program staff in epidemiologic investigations of acute and chronic diseases; assists in interviewing of individuals relative to disease outbreaks; under supervison of an Epidemiologist of higher grade, maintains a surveillance system capable of detecting risk factors and changes in disease patterns; makes appropriate contacts with public health and other agencies, health professionals, hospitals, etc. to facilitate disease follow up and surveillance; answers general informational questions from the public and medical community; regularly reviews scientific literature to maintain a current knowledge of pertinent disease processes; may administer biologics or collect specimens such as blood and urine samples, throat and rectal swabs under supervision of a physician; may compile statistics and do less complex calculations and interpretations; performs related duties as required.

Knowledge of infectious/chronic disease epidemiology; knowledge of relevant disease processes which affect humans and animals; knowledge of epidemiological methods; knowledge of basic biological processes; interpersonal skills; oral and written communications skills; ability to research scientific literature and develop and gather data.

Five (5) years' experience in a responsible technical or professional capacity in epidemiological investigations.

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 a related discipline including community medicine, public health or a related health science may be substituted for the General Experience.

3. A Doctorate in a related discipline such as medicine, public health or a natural or behavioral science may be substituted for the General Experience.

• Experience working with health programs involving maternal and child health outcomes, birth defects, or health care administration while managing competing priorities.
• Experience conducting maternal and child health surveillance or comparable experience with maternal and child health data collection, entry and quality assurance, including maintaining the security and confidentiality of protected data.
• Experience with the Maven Newborn Screening System or comparable online system or reporting platform.
• Experience with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) Integrated Data Collection System (PIDS) and/or the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Title V Information System (TVIS).
• Experience using the Microsoft Suite of products including Excel, Access, Word, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Outlook.

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.

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

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.