Epidemiologist

SALARY: $29.11/hour (non-negotiable)

HOURS: Monday thru Friday, 40-hour work week with the ability to work after hours as necessary

SUMMARY

Under supervision of the Program Manager, this position functions as part of the health care team that delivers public health epidemiologic services to the community.  Responsibilities include providing epidemiologic expertise to the Public Health Department, conducting surveillance, investigations, and statistical analysis of notifiable conditions in Potter/Randall counties and the City of Amarillo. Monitoring individuals with communicable diseases, providing education to the public and other healthcare providers one on one and to large groups, assists in planning, developing, and directing epidemiologic investigations and surveillance programs and providing regional epidemiologic response, as needed.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Performs timely and accurate communicable disease surveillance and investigations according to Public Health policies which involve contacting case patient and their contacts, coordinating pre and post exposure prophylaxis and/or isolation as necessary, and in person monitoring of individuals with high consequence infectious disease.
• Assists Program Manager to monitor communicable disease incidence within Potter and Randall Counties and the City of Amarillo to rapidly detect and address disease outbreaks, including bioterrorism events.
• Responds to infectious disease outbreaks, as well as large outbreaks causing significant morbidity and/or mortality.  Assists public health staff with planning and developing advanced epidemiologic/outbreak investigations, including verifying diagnoses, notifying appropriate personnel, collecting and submitting patient specimens, constructing questionnaires, reviewing/abstracting/interpreting medical records, conducting patient and physician interviews and recommending appropriate control measures.
• Assists Program Manager with animal bite investigations as necessary.
• Assists with compiling and electronic distribution of weekly flu report as necessary.
• Provides data and statistical analysis for the department.
• Assists Program Manager in developing effective relationships and networks of communication with local infection control practitioners, physicians, hospital administrators and others to promote teamwork and collaboration in the implementation of reporting and surveillance activities.
• Participates in special projects to provide reporting and surveillance support, epidemiologic, data analysis, statistical or public health support.
• Prepares written and verbal reports and makes presentations related to communicable disease surveillance and investigations.
• Helps coordinate the periodic assessment of the health status of Potter and Randall Counties and the City of Amarillo.
• Participates in public health preparedness responses.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Requires a master’s degree in a healthcare related field, preferably in Public Health. Two years of related experience is preferred. Experience with data analysis preferred. Excellent writing and speaking skills required. Valid Texas Driver’s License, reliable transportation with proof of current insurance is required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of area of specialty, anatomy and physiology, medications and disease processes and ability to apply those concepts to patients.
• Knowledge of the Public Health ten essential functions.
• Knowledge of the HIPAA Privacy Act.
• Knowledge of biostatistical analysis.
• Knowledge of the design and presentation of training programs.
• Ability to use online health databases and data management systems.
• Strong verbal and written communication skill.
• Skills to use a computer with Microsoft Office for data entry, word processing and accounting purposes.
• Skills to operate small office equipment, including a multi-function copy machine, fax machine and multi-line telephone systems.
• Ability to work with a culturally diverse population.
• Ability to handle confidential information in an appropriate manner.
• Ability to travel out of town for trainings and seminars.
• Ability to work an after-hours schedule as required.
• Ability to drive to off-site locations including patient homes and meetings within Potter and Randall counties.
• Ability to quickly change focus and priorities to address competing priorities, as necessary.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, other agencies and the public.

The City of Amarillo is an Equal Opportunity employer and encourages applications from eligible and qualified persons regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, familial status, disability, genetic information or protected veteran status, in compliance with applicable federal, state and local law.

The City of Amarillo provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities on a case by case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact the Human Resources Office at 806-378-4294.