"Epidemiologist 1"

Overview

The Connecticut Emerging Infections Program (EIP) is a collaborative effort between the Yale School of Public Health and the Connecticut Department of Public Health, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Along with other EIP sites and additional state health departments, the Connecticut EIP participates in RESP-NET. RESP-NET conducts surveillance for hospitalizations due to three viral respiratory pathogens: influenza (FluSurv-NET), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV-NET), and SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-NET). The Epidemiologist I will work with the EIP’s RESP-NET team to ensure the collection of COVID-19, influenza and RSV surveillance data through medical chart review, medical provider contact and/or patient interview. This position may also assist with epidemiologic evaluation projects built on RESP-NET activities.

Thoroughly understand and execute study protocols and procedures to ensure accurate and consistent collection of surveillance data. Utilize hospital laboratory data, hospital epidemiology reports, infection control practitioner logs, and the Connecticut Electronic Disease Surveillance System (CTEDSS) to identify potential cases of influenza, RSV and COVID. Ensure potential cases are unique and meet EIP case definition before entering primary data into surveillance databases. Communicate with hospital colleagues and search electronic medical records systems to confirm each case meets all required elements of surveillance case definition. Coordinate requests for medical charts of identified RESP-NET cases at various Connecticut hospitals. This involves organizing the identified cases by hospital and working with the health information department at each hospital to gain access to medical chart information. Conduct medical chart reviews of the identified cases using a standard data abstraction instrument. This may involve travel to hospitals throughout the state, accessing and navigating various electronic medical record systems, identifying the pertinent information in the medical record and abstracting it into the surveillance database. Obtain additional follow up information, such as vaccination history, from primary care provider offices through fax and phone contact. Enter data into study databases, clean data, and troubleshoot database issues with assistance of the program manager. Perform routine statistical analyses and generate data summaries. This involves entry and manipulation of data using Microsoft Excel, REDCap, PowerBI and other software programs as needed (e.g., SAS, R). Generate basic reports on study progress for the program manager using Microsoft Excel, PowerBI, or other software programs (e.g., SAS, R). Handle protected health information in a sensitive, secure, and confidential manner in keeping with HIPAA privacy policies. Participate in RESP-NET related conference calls and meetings with other EIP sites and CDC representatives. Assist with other activities as necessary to maintain the daily functions of the EIP’s respiratory disease surveillance projects including geocoding, matching surveillance data to external datasets, completing surveillance audits, conducting provider and laboratory surveys, performing chart reviews for disease burden estimates, and ensuring case data are accurately represented in CTEDSS. Assist with other special EIP projects as needed. Such activities may include emergency public health response to disease outbreaks (case or control follow-up, chart review, telephone interview, etc.) or special investigations as indicated by the Connecticut Department of Public Health. Abide by Yale University and Connecticut Department of Public Health confidentiality rules.

Required Skills and Abilities

1. Proven experience with public health surveillance, collection of public health data and data management, either through course work or employment.
2. Proven experience with electronic medical records and/or medical terminology from research, clinical or pharmacy environment.
3. Excellent organizational, interpersonal and communication skills.
4. Intermediate skills with standard Microsoft Office software programs including Excel.

Preferred Skills and Abilities

1. Bachelor's/Master’s Degree in Public Health, Biology, Microbiology or related field.
2. Proven experience with applied public health work at either a state or local health department.
3. Understanding of infectious disease surveillance methods and procedures.
4. Proven experience working with patients and protected health data.
5. Familiarity with quantitative research methods; experience with data management tools, like REDCap, SAS, R, Python; experience with data visualization tools, like Microsoft PowerBI.

Principal Responsibilities

1. Researches and collects data through site or home visit intakes; library research; structured interviews; or through other means for designated research assignments.
2. Records and compiles information related to research data. Codes data accordingly to research specifications. Uses a computer terminal to input and retrieve data and to generate reports.
3. Processes and summarizes data using scientific or statistical techniques. Assists in data interpretation and analyses. Reports on status of research activities.
4. Recruits study participants and ensures that subject recruitment and follow-up are completed per protocol procedures.
5. Orders and maintains inventory of supplies. May assist in designing, developing, and modifying research experiments, procedures, or survey instruments. May assist research and support staff.
6. Performs additional functions incidental to research activities.

Required Education and Experience

Six years of related work experience, four of them in the same job family at the next lower level, and high school level education; or four years of related work experience and an Associate's degree; or little or no work experience and a Bachelor's degree in a related field; or an equivalent combination of experience and education.