How to Be Public Health Epidemiologist - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Apr 24, 2023 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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Public Health Epidemiologists play a critical role in controlling the spread of disease and promoting public health. Through careful analysis of data, such as population surveys, health records, and laboratory results, they can identify patterns, trends, and correlations in the incidence of a disease. By recognizing the underlying causes of illness, they can then design and implement effective prevention and control strategies.

This work is essential in protecting public health and preventing the potential spread of infectious diseases, such as influenza and coronavirus. Furthermore, Public Health Epidemiologists collaborate with other healthcare professionals, such as physicians and public health officials, to ensure that the most up-to-date evidence-based interventions are being used to protect public health.

Steps How to Become

Earn a Bachelors Degree. To become a Public Health Epidemiologist, you must first earn a bachelor's degree in a related field such as public health, biology, epidemiology, biostatistics, or a similar field.
Gain Experience Through Internships or Research. Once you have earned your bachelors degree, you should gain experience related to public health epidemiology. Pursue internships or research opportunities related to public health topics in order to gain the necessary experience.
Earn a Masters Degree. To become a public health epidemiologist, it is necessary to earn a masters degree in public health epidemiology or a related field.
Obtain Certification. There are several certifications available for public health epidemiologists. Certification requirements vary depending on the organization, but typically involve a combination of educational requirements, experience, and passing an exam.
Consider Doctoral Study. For some careers in public health epidemiology, a doctoral degree may be desired or required. A doctoral degree can help to open up more research and teaching opportunities.
Stay Informed. Public health epidemiologists must stay informed about current developments and research in the field. Join professional organizations and attend conferences.

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Job Description

Develop and implement epidemiologic studies to analyze public health problems
Collect, analyze, interpret and report data from surveillance systems, surveys, and other sources
Conduct population-based investigations to identify and analyze public health issues
Monitor and evaluate public health programs to ensure effectiveness
Plan and implement educational programs to promote awareness and understanding of public health issues
Provide expert testimony and advice to public health officials
Develop policies, procedures and guidelines for public health programs
Prepare scientific reports and presentations to share research findings
Collaborate with community partners to address health concerns
Develop strategies to prevent and control disease outbreaks

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of epidemiological principles and methods
Knowledge of public health principles and practices
Ability to interpret and analyze public health data
Ability to plan, design, and implement epidemiological studies
Ability to develop and interpret statistical models
Knowledge of biostatistical methods
Ability to manage databases and extract data for analysis
Ability to develop and apply risk assessment models
Knowledge of research methods and techniques
Ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders
Ability to develop and manage effective public health programs
Knowledge of relevant laws, regulations, policies, and procedures
Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment
Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize them according to importance
Knowledge of computer programming languages and software, such as SAS, R, and SPSS

Public health epidemiologists are essential in helping to prevent, monitor and respond to health threats. Their primary role is to analyze population health data to identify trends, diagnose potential outbreaks and develop strategies to reduce the spread of disease. The most important skill for a public health epidemiologist to have is strong analytical thinking.

This includes the ability to critically review data, identify patterns and draw logical conclusions based on the evidence. They must also be able to effectively communicate their findings to both public health and medical professionals. In order to be successful in this field, they must also have a detailed understanding of the technical aspects of epidemiology, such as biostatistics and data analysis.

Finally, they must have the ability to communicate their findings in a way that is easy for the public to understand, so that communities can take action to protect their health. By having these skills and knowledge, public health epidemiologists can help protect the population from serious health threats.

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Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in epidemiology?
Describe a project or research experience that you have conducted that involved epidemiology.
How would you approach analyzing a public health problem?
Describe your experience with data analysis and surveillance.
How do you stay up to date on public health trends and issues?
What strategies have you used to educate and engage the public on public health topics?
What challenges have you faced in your epidemiological work?
How do you ensure accuracy and reliability when conducting surveillance activities?
How would you use epidemiological methods to identify and address public health issues?
Describe your experience with using GIS systems for data analysis and mapping.

Common Tools in Industry

Epi Info 7. A public health statistics and epidemiology software package used to create databases, analyze data, and create graphics. (eg: Used to assess the impact of a measles outbreak in a community)
R-Shiny. An open-source web framework used to create interactive web applications. (eg: Used to create an interactive dashboard for tracking the spread of COVID-19)
ArcGIS. A geographic information system used to map, analyze, and visualize data. (eg: Used to create maps of areas with high rates of infectious disease)
SAS. A statistical software package used to manage and analyze data. (eg: Used to analyze data from a survey on health behaviors to predict disease outcomes)
Tableau. A data visualization software used to create interactive charts, maps, and dashboards. (eg: Used to create an interactive dashboard to track changes in the spread of a virus over time)

Professional Organizations to Know

American Public Health Association
Association of State and Territorial Health Officials
Society for Epidemiologic Research
American College of Epidemiology
International Society for Infectious Diseases
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Association of County and City Health Officials
National Environmental Health Association
American College of Preventive Medicine
World Health Organization

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Common Important Terms

Epidemiology. The study of the patterns, causes, and effects of health and disease conditions in defined populations.
Mortality Rate. The number of deaths in a population over a given period of time.
Morbidity Rate. The number of illnesses in a population over a given period of time.
Surveillance. The ongoing systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of health data essential to the planning, implementation, and evaluation of public health practice.
Outbreaks. A sudden increase in the incidence of a disease or infectious agent within a specific population or geographic area.
Risk Factors. Characteristics associated with an increased likelihood of developing a specific health condition or disease.
Public Health Interventions. Strategies used by public health professionals to improve the health of populations by promoting healthy behaviors and lifestyles, preventing disease, and intervening in cases of potential health threats.
Risk Communication. The exchange of information between public health officials and the public about health threats, risks, and protective measures.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Public Health Epidemiologist?

A Public Health Epidemiologist is a healthcare professional who studies and investigates the patterns, causes, and effects of diseases and other health issues in populations and communities.

What qualifications are needed to be a Public Health Epidemiologist?

To become a Public Health Epidemiologist, you typically need a master's degree in public health, epidemiology, biostatistics, or a related field. Additionally, many employers require at least two years of experience in epidemiology or public health.

What types of tasks does a Public Health Epidemiologist perform?

A Public Health Epidemiologist typically performs tasks such as analyzing data, conducting research, providing guidance on policy and practice, and communicating findings to the public.

What is the job outlook for Public Health Epidemiologists?

The job outlook for Public Health Epidemiologists is very strong. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the job outlook for this profession will grow by 10% between 2019 and 2029.

What is the median salary for a Public Health Epidemiologist?

According to PayScale, the median salary for a Public Health Epidemiologist is $73,210 per year.

Web Resources

What Does a Public Health Epidemiologist Do? www.northeastern.edu
Public Health Epidemiologist | School of Public Health & Health www.umass.edu
Epidemiology | Pitt Public Health | University of Pittsburgh www.publichealth.pitt.edu