Department

Department of Health

Division

Healthcare Health & Allied Professionals

Salary

$94,534.00 - $106,612.00

Job Profile

JC-02718501-92 - Principal Public Health Epidemiologist (NEARI PSA DOH)

Scheduled Work Days & Work Hours

Monday - Friday; 8:30am - 5:00pm

Non-Standard 35.0

Restricted/Limited to Federal funding

Job Requisition Number

JR103534 Principal Public Health Epidemiologist (Open)

Pay Grade

C00335 A

Classification

Principal Public Health Epidemiologist

Class Definition

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: To perform the most advanced and complex professional analytical work in surveillance, detection, and prevention of public health problems, such as diseases and injuries; to oversee and conduct the most advanced and complex professional epidemiologic work by managing methods of collecting, analyzing, and disseminating data related to leading causes of morbidity, mortality and health services data; to oversee and/or perform advanced or specialized professional work which includes expert knowledge and management in a specific field such as chronic disease, infectious disease, maternal and child health, environmental health, injury clusters, trend analysis, geographic distribution of disease, or other specific epidemiology program area; to use data to identify distribution, risk factors, environmental determinants and disparities in order to develop effective health promotion and disease prevention/control strategies; to design and/or implement health promotion and disease prevention/control interventions; to evaluate health promotion and disease prevention/programs; and to do related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Works under the limited direction of a superior with considerable latitude for the exercise of independent judgment in applying appropriate methods and techniques.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: As assigned, may plan, organize, direct, coordinate, and evaluate work of other staff.

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED:

• To perform the most advanced and complex professional analytical work in surveillance, detection, and prevention of public health problems, such as diseases and injuries.
• To oversee and conduct the most advanced and complex professional epidemiologic work by managing methods of collecting, analyzing, and disseminating data related to leading causes of morbidity, mortality and health services data.
• To oversee and/or perform advanced or specialized professional work which includes expert knowledge and management in a specific field such as chronic disease, infectious disease, maternal and child health, environmental health, injury clusters, trend analysis, geographic distribution of disease, or other specific epidemiology program area;
• To use data to identify distribution, risk factors, environmental determinants and disparities in order to develop effective health promotion and disease prevention/control strategies.
• To design and/or implement health promotion and disease prevention/control interventions.
• To evaluate health promotion and disease prevention/programs. In an assigned specialty area, to perform the following additional tasks:

Administrative and Management:

• To provide scientific, administrative, program direction and leadership for assigned program sections within the epidemiology unit.
• To plan, assign, schedule, prioritize, direct and coordinate the work of assigned epidemiologists, research analysts, and other staff.
• To participate in the selection, scheduling and assignment of epidemiology and other professional and administrative staff.
• As requested, to provide guidance, advice and direction to employees and instruct them on both work and administrative matters; to identify developmental needs and arrange for necessary training.
• As assigned, may provide management oversight for epidemiologists and other staff within the epidemiology unit, ensuring the accuracy and quality of work and overall work performance.
• To participate in financial and operational planning and management.
• To demonstrate leadership and systems thinking.
• To participate in policy development.
• To do related work as required.

Epidemiologic Studies and Urgent Outbreak Investigations:

• To plan, direct, oversee, and manage epidemiologic studies and urgent outbreak investigations.
• To oversee the design and use of databases for analysis of health problems.
• To oversee the design and management of surveillance systems for diseases of public health importance.
• To oversee the design of instruments for the collection of surveillance information and data.
• To lead the development of and conduct epidemiologic studies for program planning and incident command systems.
• To conduct and develop methods for advanced descriptive and comprehensive analyses of surveillance data for multiple purposes.
• To communicate disease control guidance in emergent situations.
• To do related work as required.

Dissemination of Program Data, Information, and Findings:

• To conduct and oversee literature reviews for the design of programs, preparation of publications, and planning and evaluation.
• To design, prepare, and review reports from analyses of surveillance data, literature reviews, and other information.
• To make oral and visual presentations on results of data analyses and other information to diverse audiences.
• To review and prepare responses to requests for information.
• To develop and provide recommendations to senior officials based on the results of surveillance, field investigations, and laboratory tests and on available and acceptable methods of prevention and control in the community.
• To do related work as required.

Program Evaluation and Development Support:

• To direct state program planning efforts with respect to surveillance and other epidemiologic data and evaluation.
• To develop, implement, and monitor organizational performance measures that demonstrate program effectiveness.
• To review and conduct literature reviews and data analyses to evaluate program progress and effectiveness.
• To participate in writing grants and other funding proposals with respect to surveillance, epidemiology, and program evaluation.
• To develop requests for proposals and contracts for data analysis and evaluation projects as well as direct and review contract work.
• To develop and evaluate training for health care providers and other community partners to use public health data for decision making.
• To work as a liaison with external partners and community entities to provide technical assistance with respect to surveillance, epidemiologic data and evaluation, and disease control guidance.
• To do related work as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND CAPACITIES: Advanced knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques of epidemiology and disease control, descriptive and analytical epidemiologic techniques, research and evaluation methodologies sufficient to conduct special studies and to assess the validity and reliability of statewide and community health data, and biostatistical techniques sufficient to describe and analyze health related data as collected in the state as described in national standards such as the Council for State and Territorial Epidemiologists’ Applied Epidemiology Competencies; the ability to advise staff and other individuals or agencies on correct application of epidemiologic principles in the conduct of program planning and evaluation; the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with department officials, professionals, voluntary health and welfare agencies, community representatives, other state and local agencies and the public; strong interpersonal and cultural competency as well as strong verbal and written communication skills; the ability to develop and effectively deliver presentations, and represent the department at state, local, and national meetings; and related capacities and abilities.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Education: Possession of a Master of Public Health, a Master of Science in Epidemiology, or a master’s degree in a related health field with specialization in the area of epidemiology, and/or Doctoral-level degree in epidemiology and/or other non-epidemiology professional degree (e.g., RN, MD/DO, DDS/DMD, DVM, PhD, REHS/RS) with specific epidemiology training (including but not limited to CDC Epidemic Intelligence Service program); and

Experience: A minimum of five (5) years of employment in a position in a public or private agency engaged in the practice of public health epidemiology, or five (5) years relevant research in epidemiology.

Or, any combination of education and experience that shall be substantially equivalent to the above education and experience.

Supplemental Information

Functions/Duties:

- Provide evaluation, epidemiologic, and data-analysis support to the Cancer Teams including the BCCSP, Rhode Island Cancer Registry, WISEWOMAN Program, Colorectal Cancer Screening Program, and Comprehensive Cancer Control Program.
- Develop and maintain evaluation plans, logic models, performance measures, data-collection tools, and reporting processes to meet federal grant requirements and program priorities.
- Conduct quantitative and qualitative analyses to assess program performance, screening outcomes, service utilization, provider and clinic workflows, and progress toward program goals.
- Clean, manage, link, analyze, visualize, and report data using R programming; use SQL and relational data systems to support data extraction, validation, linkage, and documentation of data workflows.
- Work with a broad range of data sources, including the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, Rhode Island All-Payer Claims Database, direct-service reporting and remittance data, Rhode Island Cancer Registry data, HEDIS measures, Health Resources and Services Administration Uniform Data System data, survey data, key informant interviews, focus groups, and clinic and electronic health record workflow data.
- Prepare reports, data briefs, presentations, dashboards, maps, and other evaluation products for program staff, leadership, funders, providers, community partners, and other technical and non-technical audiences.
- Interpret findings and provide recommendations to support program planning, quality improvement, cancer screening initiatives, outreach activities, and resource allocation.
- Prepare and contribute to federal grant applications, work plans, progress reports, evaluation reports, responses to data requests, and other program deliverables.
- Supervise data managers, including assigning and prioritizing work; reviewing data-management and reporting processes; monitoring data quality and timeliness; supporting staff development; and addressing workflow or data-related issues.
- Coordinate with data managers to maintain accurate, complete, and timely program data for direct-service reporting, remittance, eligibility, clinical services, and needed reporting.
- Participate in cross-training with data managers, Case Manager, and Remittance Coordinator to maintain familiarity with program operations, data flow, eligibility requirements, service-delivery processes, and reporting procedures.
- Provide technical assistance to Cancer Team staff, clinical providers, health systems, contractors, and community-based organizations related to evaluation methods, data collection, data interpretation, reporting, and quality-improvement activities.
- Participate in meetings with internal and external partners, including clinical providers, community-based organizations, health systems, contractors, and other stakeholders.
- Conduct site visits with clinic and community-based organization partners and attend community events, as needed, to support program evaluation, outreach, data collection, and partner engagement.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

For information regarding the benefits available to State of Rhode Island employees, please visit the Office of Employee Benefits' website at http://www.employeebenefits.ri.gov/.
 

Also, be advised that a new provision in RI General Law 35-6-1 was enacted requiring direct deposit for all employees. Specific to new hires, the law requires that all employees hired after September 30, 2014 participate in direct deposit. Accordingly, any employee hired after this date will be required to participate in the direct deposit system. At the time the employee is hired, the employee shall identify a financial institution that will serve as a personal depository agency for the employee.