Epidemiologist I

Job Description:
Under the supervision of the TB Epidemiology and Surveillance Group Manager and guidance from the TB Epidemiology Team Lead, performs epidemiological work within the TB and Hansen’s Disease Unit. Develops and performs data quality checks and processes to ensure the completeness and accuracy of TB and Hansen’s disease (HD) surveillance data. Performs statistical analyses using statistical software and interprets results. Uses SAS, or various other software applications or databases to manage and analyze TB and HD data. Contributes to epidemiological reports disseminated to the Department of State Health Services (DSHS), the public, and medical communities. Essential Job Functions:
Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned

(30%) Monitors and evaluates TB and HD data systems for quality and completeness of case reporting. Performs data cleaning in databases as needed. Evaluates and prepares reports on the effectiveness of program activities and makes recommendations for improvement and/or training for field surveillance sites and personnel. Adheres to data security and confidentiality policies and procedures.

(30%) Provides technical assistance to field TB programs and central office surveillance and local registry staff to promote and support surveillance activities. Assistance can include but is not limited to federal or state reporting guidelines, remotely checking the National Electronic Disease Surveillance Systems and/or contact other state data systems to ascertain the status of a reported or unreported case documentation, help with generating reports from SHARP, and provide feedback on program effectiveness. Assists in special projects for the TB and Hansen’s Disease Unit as assigned.

(25%) Working in concert with TB epidemiology and surveillance program staff, designs surveillance program tracking and quality assurance measures for TB reporting in NEDSS. Assists in the design of workflows, reports, and other data system tools to gauge the level of compliance of contracted and partner surveillance sites with DSHS guidelines. Writes statistical programs to produce reports intended to give central office and contract surveillance sites feedback on performance of the surveillance system. Creates files for analysis as needed.

(10%) Using appropriate epidemiological methods, relevant software applications, spreadsheets, database programs, and other allied statistical software, consolidates and analyzes TB surveillance data, and other morbidity, and demographic data to produce evaluation study reports, epidemiological reports, articles, grant proposals, progress reports, and data requests related to the evaluation of TB reporting. Contributes written epidemiological interpretations of data to be used in profiles, evaluation study reports, and other TB Surveillance and Epidemiology quarterly and annual reports for the public and for public health and medical communities. Prepares data for analysis in responding to federal grant objectives.

(5%) Performs other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.
Knowledge Skills Abilities:
• Knowledge of the principles of epidemiology
• Knowledge of the principles of evaluation of surveillance, prevention, or health-related services programs.
• Knowledge of research design, research methods, and sampling
• Knowledge of survey design and administration
• Knowledge of the principles of descriptive and analytical statistics
• Knowledge of grammar, syntax, spelling, punctuation, usage, and style.
• Knowledge of scientific and technical writing.
• Knowledge of the principles of disease surveillance.
• Knowledge of infectious diseases
• Skilled in using software for Internet browsing and E-mail
• Skilled in using spreadsheets (Quattro, Excel or Lotus)
• Skilled in using SAS or other statistical software such as STATA, SPSS, Epi-Info or R
• Skilled in using software for report writing, e.g., Word)
• Skilled in using software for graphic presentations
• Ability to gather, assemble, manage, analyze and interpret data
• Ability to analyze health related data using statistical analysis software
• Ability to work effectively as a team with diverse personnel, groups, and organizations.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to manage research projects involving multiple organizations and personnel.
• Ability to participate in group decision-making concerning research design, methods, and protocol.

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