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

Aug 17, 2022 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

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Surveillance and evaluation epidemiologists play an important role in helping to identify and analyze health trends, which can have a significant impact on public health. By studying data from sources such as vital statistics, survey results, laboratory tests and medical records, these epidemiologists can identify underlying causes of diseases and conditions, allowing for more effective prevention and treatment strategies. Their findings can also lead to changes in government policy, improvements in healthcare services and new treatments for illnesses.

Furthermore, surveillance and evaluation epidemiologists can provide valuable insight into disease outbreaks, helping to contain them quickly and effectively. The work of these professionals is essential in ensuring public health protection and improving the quality of life for individuals and communities.

Steps How to Become

Earn a Bachelor's Degree. Earning a bachelor's degree in epidemiology, public health, health science, or a related field is the first step to become a surveillance and evaluation epidemiologist.
Pursue a Master's Degree. A master's degree in epidemiology, public health, health science, or a related field can help increase your chances of finding a job as a surveillance and evaluation epidemiologist.
Get Certified. Obtaining certification from the American Board of Epidemiology (ABE) can help you stand out from the competition and may be required by employers.
Gain Experience. Working as an epidemiologist in the public health sector can also help you gain the experience necessary to become a surveillance and evaluation epidemiologist.
Develop Your Skills. Surveillance and evaluation epidemiologists must have strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret data. Developing these skills will help you succeed in this career.
Apply for Jobs. Once you have the necessary qualifications and experience, you can start applying for surveillance and evaluation epidemiologist jobs.

In order to stay ahead and qualified as a Surveillance and Evaluation Epidemiologist, it is important to stay up to date with the latest research in the field. This means staying abreast of new developments in epidemiology, health data analysis, and data-driven decision-making. obtaining specialized certifications and attending conferences and seminars related to the field will help maintain knowledge and skills.

Finally, networking with peers and industry professionals can help to form connections and create opportunities for advancement. Doing these things will help ensure that a Surveillance and Evaluation Epidemiologist is well-equipped to tackle the challenges of the job and remain competitive in the field.

You may want to check Clinical Epidemiologist, Medical Epidemiologist, and Molecular Epidemiologist for alternative.

Job Description

Develop and implement epidemiologic research studies and surveillance systems to identify, monitor, and evaluate public health concerns.
Analyze public health data to detect trends, assess risk factors, detect outbreaks, and evaluate the effectiveness of public health programs and policies.
Design and conduct complex epidemiologic studies and surveys to investigate the origin, transmission, and control of infectious and chronic diseases.
Collaborate with governmental agencies and public health professionals to develop strategies for disease prevention and control.
Communicate findings through written reports, presentations, and publications.
Develop data collection procedures and instruments, collect data, and evaluate its accuracy and completeness.
Provide technical assistance in the areas of epidemiology and surveillance to local, state, and federal health agencies.
Design, implement, and evaluate health education programs to promote disease prevention and control.
Develop data analysis plans, analyze epidemiologic data using statistical software, and interpret results.
Monitor current epidemiologic trends and recommend strategies for preventive measures.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Experience in conducting epidemiological studies, surveys, research, and data analysis.
Knowledge of public health surveillance and evaluation methods and techniques.
Ability to interpret and analyze epidemiological data from a variety of sources.
Proficiency in the use of statistical software packages and other data analysis tools.
Strong written and verbal communication skills to effectively present epidemiological findings.
Ability to develop and implement effective strategies for data collection, analysis, and reporting.
Ability to design and implement effective evaluation processes and protocols.
Knowledge of relevant regulations, guidelines, and standards in the field of public health surveillance and evaluation.
Ability to manage multiple tasks and work collaboratively with other professionals.
Knowledge of relevant data security protocols and practices.

Surveillance and evaluation epidemiologists play a crucial role in public health by monitoring and assessing the health of populations. Their ability to analyze and interpret data, identify trends, and recommend interventions is essential for evaluating and understanding the impact of health policies, programs, and interventions. Good communication skills are also important, as epidemiologists must be able to effectively communicate their findings to policy makers and the public.

They must have an understanding of cause-and-effect relationships, be able to think critically, and have strong analytical and problem-solving skills. In addition, they must be able to stay current on the latest research and developments in the field of epidemiology. Without the skills of surveillance and evaluation epidemiologists, it would be impossible to effectively track and measure the impact of public health initiatives.

Data Analyst Epidemiologist, Biostatistician Epidemiologist, and Lead Epidemiologist are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in surveillance and evaluation epidemiology?
What specific methodologies have you used in past surveillance and evaluation epidemiology projects?
How do you stay up-to-date on the latest trends and developments in the field of surveillance and evaluation epidemiology?
How would you go about designing and implementing an effective surveillance and evaluation epidemiology program?
What challenges have you faced when conducting surveillance and evaluation epidemiology studies?
How do you ensure accuracy and reliability when analyzing data for surveillance and evaluation epidemiology studies?
What strategies do you use to identify and control potential biases in surveillance and evaluation epidemiology data?
Describe a successful surveillance and evaluation epidemiology project you have completed in the past.
How do you communicate research findings in surveillance and evaluation epidemiology to a wide audience?
What steps do you take to ensure the ethical collection and use of data in surveillance and evaluation epidemiology studies?

Common Tools in Industry

Epi Info. An epidemiological software package that allows users to generate tables and graphs to analyze data, track disease outbreaks, and design surveys. (eg: Epi Info can be used to calculate the number of cases of a particular disease in a given population over time. )
GIS. A geographic information system (GIS) is a computer system used for capturing, storing, analyzing, and managing data and associated attributes which are spatially referenced to the earth. (eg: GIS can be used to analyze the spatial patterns of a particular disease in a given area and identify potential risk factors. )
Data Visualization Software. Software that allows users to create visual representations of data, such as charts, graphs, and maps. (eg: Data visualization software can be used to create maps that show the spread of a particular disease over time. )
Statistical Software. Software that allows users to perform statistical analyses on data sets. (eg: Statistical software can be used to determine the relationship between risk factors and the occurrence of a particular disease. )
Survey Software. Software that allows users to develop and administer surveys or questionnaires. (eg: Survey software can be used to survey people about their behaviors and beliefs related to a particular disease. )

Professional Organizations to Know

American Evaluation Association
American Public Health Association
American Statistical Association
Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists
International Society for Disease Surveillance
Epidemiology Special Interest Group
Society for Epidemiologic Research
American College of Epidemiology
International Epidemiological Association
Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology

We also have Research Epidemiologist, Infectious Disease Epidemiologist, and Field Epidemiologist jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Surveillance. The systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of health data needed to plan, implement, and evaluate public health practice.
Evaluation. The process of assessing the performance of a program or practice in order to improve its effectiveness and efficiency.
Epidemiology. The study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in specified populations, and the application of this study to the control of health problems.
Biostatistics. The application of statistics to biological fields such as medicine and public health.
Public Health. The organized efforts of society to prevent disease, promote health, and prolong life through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities, and individuals.
Risk Assessment. The process of estimating the likelihood that a specific event or outcome will occur based on the known or estimated risks associated with it.
Data Collection. The systematic gathering of data from a variety of sources and locations for the purpose of analysis and decision making.
Data Analysis. The process of examining, transforming, and modeling data with the goal of discovering useful information, suggesting conclusions, and supporting decision making.
Research Methodology. The study of techniques used in collecting, analyzing, interpreting, and presenting data in order to answer research questions.
Modeling. The use of mathematical or statistical models to simulate real-world processes or systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Surveillance and Evaluation Epidemiologist?

A Surveillance and Evaluation Epidemiologist is a public health professional who studies, monitors, and evaluates the spread of diseases and other health-related issues in a population.

What type of data do Surveillance and Evaluation Epidemiologists analyze?

Surveillance and Evaluation Epidemiologists analyze data such as disease prevalence, health behaviors, risk factors, and other health-related metrics.

What type of research do Surveillance and Evaluation Epidemiologists conduct?

Surveillance and Evaluation Epidemiologists conduct research such as epidemiological studies, surveys, and clinical trials to better understand the transmission of disease in a population.

What skills are needed to be a successful Surveillance and Evaluation Epidemiologist?

Successful Surveillance and Evaluation Epidemiologists possess strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills as well as an in-depth knowledge of epidemiological methods and principles.

What qualifications are required to become a Surveillance and Evaluation Epidemiologist?

To become a Surveillance and Evaluation Epidemiologist, applicants typically need to have at least a Master's degree in public health or a related field, as well as prior experience in epidemiological research.

Web Resources

Surveillance and Evaluation Epidemiologist 2 (Non-Medical) elevate.iit.edu
Surveillance and Evaluation Epidemiologist 2 (Non-Medical) careers.ecampus.oregonstate.edu
Surveillance and Evaluation Research Program | Kirby Institute kirby.unsw.edu.au