How to Be Disease Surveillance Epidemiologist - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

The global pandemic of the Coronavirus has caused a dramatic increase in the need for disease surveillance epidemiologists. Disease surveillance epidemiologists are responsible for collecting and analyzing data on disease outbreaks, identifying potential health threats, and developing strategies to control and prevent the spread of infectious diseases. As Covid-19 continues to spread and evolve, the need for epidemiologists to monitor and assess the risk of the virus has become essential for public health.

Furthermore, disease surveillance epidemiologists are also charged with educating the public on the importance of preventive measures such as handwashing, social distancing, and wearing a mask. These measures are critical to controlling the spread of the virus and ultimately saving lives.

Steps How to Become

1. Earn a Bachelor's Degree. A bachelor's degree in epidemiology, public health, biology, or a similar field is typically required to become a disease surveillance epidemiologist. Coursework should include classes in public health, biostatistics, and epidemiology, as well as laboratory experience.
2. Obtain Professional Certification. Earning certification from the American Board of Epidemiology (ABE) is optional but may be necessary for some careers. To be eligible for certification, applicants must have a doctoral degree, work experience, and pass an examination.
3. Pursue a Graduate Degree. Some employers may require a master's degree in epidemiology or a related field for disease surveillance epidemiologist positions. Students may choose to specialize in a specific area of epidemiology, such as infectious diseases or environmental health.
4. Gain Work Experience. Work experience in the field of epidemiology is essential to becoming a disease surveillance epidemiologist. An internship or volunteer position in a research laboratory or public health agency can provide valuable hands-on experience.
5. Develop Expertise. Disease surveillance epidemiologists must have a thorough understanding of the principles of epidemiology, including data analysis and interpretation. They must also have strong communication skills to effectively convey their findings to colleagues and other professionals. Continuing education and professional development activities can help disease surveillance epidemiologists stay current on new developments in the field.

Effective and capable disease surveillance epidemiologists must have a strong knowledge base in public health, epidemiology, and biostatistics. They must also possess excellent critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, and communication skills, both verbal and written. Having an understanding of the principles of surveillance and data management, as well as an ability to interpret and analyze data is essential for success in this role.

Furthermore, having experience with software such as SAS and ArcGIS can be beneficial for analyzing data. Good organizational skills are also necessary in order to manage multiple tasks and prioritize duties. Finally, a willingness to stay abreast of current trends in public health and disease surveillance is paramount.

All of these attributes combined make for an ideal and capable disease surveillance epidemiologist.

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Job Description

1. Design, develop and implement disease surveillance systems
2. Monitor disease trends and investigate outbreaks
3. Analyze and interpret epidemiological data
4. Develop public health strategies to prevent and control infectious diseases
5. Obtain and evaluate laboratory results
6. Prepare reports and presentations on surveillance activities
7. Provide technical assistance and training in disease surveillance
8. Collaborate with other public health professionals in the development and implementation of strategies to control the spread of infectious diseases
9. Maintain records of public health surveillance activities
10. Participate in the comprehensive planning and evaluation of public health programs related to disease prevention and control

Skills and Competencies to Have

1. Knowledge of epidemiological methods and research principles
2. Ability to interpret and analyze surveillance data
3. Knowledge of public health surveillance systems
4. Experience with statistical software programs such as SAS and R
5. Knowledge of disease control and prevention strategies
6. Ability to communicate complex information to diverse audiences
7. Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders
8. Understanding of the principles of biostatistics
9. Knowledge of legal and ethical considerations in public health
10. Ability to create reports and presentations for various audiences

Disease surveillance epidemiologists play a critical role in public health, as they are responsible for monitoring and responding to the spread of infectious disease. To effectively conduct disease surveillance, epidemiologists must have a wide range of skills, such as strong analytical and data management skills, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and a comprehensive understanding of epidemiological principles and methods. They must also be able to interpret the data they collect and be able to work with other professionals and agencies to develop strategies for disease prevention and control.

This requires the ability to identify potential risk factors and develop evidence-based interventions to reduce the spread of infection. disease surveillance epidemiologists must be able to collaborate with other stakeholders, such as policy makers and healthcare providers, to ensure that the public is adequately protected. All of these skills are essential for successful disease surveillance epidemiologists and are needed to ensure that public health is maintained.

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Frequent Interview Questions

• What experience do you have in the field of Disease Surveillance and Epidemiology?
• How would you explain the role of an epidemiologist in disease surveillance?
• What methods and tools do you use to identify and track disease trends?
• What strategies have you used to ensure accurate and timely disease surveillance?
• Describe your experience in developing and implementing public health policies related to disease surveillance.
• How do you keep up-to-date with new and emerging diseases?
• What have been your most successful strategies for working with stakeholders to improve disease surveillance?
• How have you contributed to the development and implementation of disease surveillance systems?
• Describe a time when you had to make a difficult decision regarding disease surveillance.
• What measures do you take to ensure data accuracy and integrity when conducting disease surveillance?

Common Tools in Industry

1. Epi Info. An open-source epidemiologic software package for statistical analysis, data management, and graphical visualization of public health data. (Eg: Used to analyze surveillance data to identify disease trends)
2. OpenEpi. An open source web-based suite of statistical programs that can be used to calculate sample size, odds ratios, and confidence intervals. (Eg: Used to calculate sample size and confidence intervals for a disease outbreak investigation)
3. SAS. Statistical software package used for data management, predictive analytics, and business intelligence. (Eg: Used to analyze large amounts of surveillance data for trends in disease transmission)
4. ArcGIS. Mapping software that can be used to visualize spatial and temporal trends in disease transmission and identify disease clusters. (Eg: Used to create maps of disease cases to investigate potential transmission pathways)
5. R. Open source programming language and environment used for statistical computing and graphics. (Eg: Used to create custom scripts to analyze surveillance data)

Professional Organizations to Know

1. American Public Health Association
2. Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology
3. International Society for Disease Surveillance
4. Society for Epidemiologic Research
5. Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists
6. American College of Epidemiology
7. European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
8. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
9. National Association of County and City Health Officials
10. International Epidemiological Association

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Common Important Terms

1. Disease Surveillance. The systematic collection, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of data regarding the occurrence and spread of diseases in a population.
2. Epidemiologist. A scientist who studies the patterns, causes, and effects of health and disease conditions in defined populations.
3. Public Health. The science and practice of protecting and improving the health of individuals, families, and communities through the prevention and treatment of disease, injury, and other physical and mental impairments.
4. Biostatistics. The application of statistical methods to the collection, analysis, interpretation, and presentation of biological data.
5. Surveillance System. A set of activities used to monitor the occurrence of diseases in a population over time.
6. Statistical Analysis. The process of collecting and examining data using statistical methods to gain insight into a phenomenon.
7. Research Methods. The procedures used to design, conduct, analyze, and interpret research studies.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a Disease Surveillance Epidemiologist do?

A Disease Surveillance Epidemiologist is responsible for monitoring, analyzing, and interpreting data related to the spread of infectious disease in a given population. This is done to identify potential outbreaks and take preventive measures.

What skills are needed to become a Disease Surveillance Epidemiologist?

To become a Disease Surveillance Epidemiologist, one must have strong analytical, research, and communication skills, as well as a deep understanding of epidemiology principles and practices. Additionally, one must be proficient in the use of statistical analysis software and possess the ability to interpret and present data in a meaningful way.

What qualifications are required to become a Disease Surveillance Epidemiologist?

To become a Disease Surveillance Epidemiologist, one must typically hold at least a master's degree in epidemiology, public health, or a related field. It is also beneficial to have experience in data collection, analysis, and interpretation.

How many years of experience are required to become a Disease Surveillance Epidemiologist?

Generally, at least 3-5 years of experience in the field of epidemiology is required to become a Disease Surveillance Epidemiologist.

What is the job outlook for Disease Surveillance Epidemiologists?

The job outlook for Disease Surveillance Epidemiologists is very strong, as the demand for professionals in this field is expected to grow significantly over the next decade.

What are jobs related with Disease Surveillance Epidemiologist?

• Occupational Disease Analyst
• Cardiovascular Disease Research Scientist
• Chronic Disease Management Nurse
• Autoimmune Disease Researcher
• Disease Intervention Specialist
• Chronic Disease Research Scientist
• Neurological Disease Research Scientist

Web Resources

• Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance - University of Kansas … www.kumc.edu
• Epidemiological Surveillance | Global Health Sciences globalhealthsciences.ucsf.edu
• Respiratory Disease Surveillance Epidemiologist, Florida … scholarblogs.emory.edu