Epidemiologist

Position Summary:

The Epidemiologist will investigate patterns and causes of infectious and chronic disease, injury, and other community health problems, conduct surveillance activities, compile and analyze findings, and prepare reports and mitigation recommendations for both community partners and the general public. The epidemiologist will use a variety of public health databases, and collaborate with entities including, but not limited to healthcare agencies, long term care facilities, school districts, community partners, and the general public.  The epidemiologist will also support the nursing department as permitted by their licensure/education. This position is on-site and the qualified candidate will be required to work both at the Lake County General Health District (Mentor, Ohio) and Geauga Public Health (Chardon, Ohio) locations, with primary office being in Mentor. 

Essential Duties:

• Leads public health communicable disease and outbreak investigations and surveillance activities for Lake and Geauga counties in accordance with the Infectious Disease Control Manual (IDCM), and ensures all Ohio notifiable infectious disease reports are submitted in an accurate and timely manner in accordance with the Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) using the Ohio Disease Reporting System (ODRS).
  This includes phone interviews, reviewing medical records, working with partners, and conducting field visits. 


• Maintains close collaboration with multidisciplinary team, other jurisdictions, state health department, partner agencies, city departments, and healthcare facilities. Answers questions, provides technical support and training, and collaborates on complex health issues.
  


• Assists with informing local medical providers, affected populations, community organizations, and the public of relevant disease trends, alerts, and outbreaks in a timely manner through informational bulletins, routine reports, trainings, exposure notices, advisories, public meetings, website and/or social media content, and other means.


• Collaborates with and supports nursing and medical directors to ensure community healthcare needs are addressed, including, but not limited to: vaccine clinics, field support, or training events.


• Collects data, validates, analyzes, and identifies health data trends.


• Develops and updates procedures, policies and relevant preparedness plans.


• Participates in professional development opportunities to remain current on specialized areas like disease trends, vaccination guidelines, and professional standards.


• Conducts reviews of peer-reviewed literature, practice-based evidence, and health policies.


• Maintains, manages, and protects confidential health information in accordance with HIPAA.


• All health district employees have an emergency response role and may be expected to respond to threats to the public’s health in accordance with the Lake County General Health District Emergency Response Plan.


• Participates in continuous quality improvement activities and relevant activities and preparing documentation for PHAB Accreditation.


• Performs other duties as assigned/required consistent with position and licensure.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in public health, epidemiology, nursing, or an equivalent field required.


• Master’s degree in public health, epidemiology, or an equivalent field preferred.


• If applying with a Bachelor’s or higher in Nursing, minimum of 3 years of current nursing experience required (within last 5 years).


• Proficiency in MS Office Suite required.


• Proficiency with statistical analysis software such as SPSS and ArcGIS preferred.


• Possession of a valid current Ohio Driver’s License issued by the Ohio Department of Motor Vehicles. (Possession of a valid Ohio Driver’s License is required at the time of appointment.)

The Lake County General Health District does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.