Emergency Care System Epidemiologist

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is seeking a qualified individual dedicated to public health, quality of life and safety to collect and analyze data from Massachusetts Primary Stroke Services (PSS) and other health service datasets. Position provides guidance and makes recommendations for analytical and evaluation activities; conducts epidemiological and statistical analyses of data to determine trends, incidence and prevalence of health topics; recommends standards for and conducts data quality assurance and control; prepares and presents statistical and epidemiological reports; provides guidance in the interpretation of these reports; and defines epidemiological and QI criteria for generation of unsolicited reports to PSS for the purpose of health care quality improvement.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Develop data quality standards and data validation measures to ensure consistent, high quality data collection. 
• Ensure data confidentiality, security, and monitor quality control for programmatic data. 
• Utilize existing databases and reports to provide department personnel and external partners with information on the prevalence and trends in statewide stroke care. 
• Independently and collaboratively develops and/or selects study design and methodological techniques for research efforts using PSS and Casemix databases and other available data sources. 
• Conduct computer-based data analysis using statistical software including: SAS, Excel and ArcView/GIS. 
• Provide data to support preparation of grant proposals and ensure timely reporting of grant deliverables and inclusion on department websites.  
• Recommend standards for and assist in the conduct of data quality assurance and control
• Create, prepare and present descriptive, statistical and epidemiological reports and other data products as appropriate to internal and external audiences. 

Required Qualifications

•        Knowledge of the principles and practices of epidemiology.
•        Ability to prepare and use charts and diagrams.
•        Capacity to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with others.
•        Ability to design analysis plans, collect and manage epidemiological data, conduct statistical analyses, and interpret findings.
•        Ability to make effective oral presentations.
•        Ability to gather information by examining records and documents and through questioning individuals.
•        Knowledge of methods of statistical report writing and statistical software programming.
•        Knowledge of quality improvement in data systems.
•        Strong verbal and written communication skills.
•        Capacity to manage databases, construct data files, conduct and support data entry, and perform data edits/cleaning as needed.
•        Ability to conduct cross-sectional, longitudinal, and multivariate analyses.
•        Ability to determine and apply appropriate statistical analysis methods.

Preferred Qualifications

•        Knowledge of computer applications used in epidemiologic research.
•        Ability to independently make and implement decisions and determine when additional guidance is needed.
•        Master's degree or doctorate in public health, epidemiology, biostatistics, health sector management or related field
•        Experience in, or interest in learning to use, mapping and spatial analysis software such as ArcGIS.

Location: Position is based out at the Department's Central Office located at 250 Washington Street, Boston, MA and the Marlborough Office at 67 Forest Street, Marlborough, MA.

About the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH):  
The mission of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is to prevent illness, injury, and premature death, to assure access to high-quality public health and healthcare services, and to promote wellness and health equity for all people in the Commonwealth.

We envision a Commonwealth in which all people enjoy optimal health. Massachusetts ranks among the healthiest of states according to comparative analyses, but we face numerous challenges, including chronic and infectious diseases, substance abuse, violence, preventable hospitalizations, and health disparities.

DPH coordinates programs and policies to address specific diseases and conditions and offers services to address the needs of vulnerable populations. We also develop, implement, promote, and enforce regulations and policies to assure that the conditions under which people live are most conducive to health and enable people to make healthy choices for themselves and their families. We license health professionals, healthcare facilities, and a variety of businesses that impact public health. We operate the state laboratory and four public health hospitals. We monitor health status and manage vital records including births, marriages, and deaths. We educate people about public health issues and work closely with local boards of health and community partners to identify and solve public health problems.
For additional information on plan review, please visit: Plan Review for Health Care Facilities

Learn more about our important work: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/bureau-of-health-care-safety-and-quality

Pre-Hire Process:

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Record Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.

If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the  ADA Reasonable Accommodation Request Form.

For questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800- 510-4122 Ext. #2

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.  Applicants must have at least (A) five (5) years of full-time or equivalent part-time professional or technical experience in epidemiology, biology, biostatistics, toxicology, environmental science, environmental health, ecology, public health, chemistry, virology, immunology, bacteriology, microbiology, or statistics and (B) of which at least two (2) years must have been in a professional capacity or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions listed below.  Substitutions: I. A Bachelor's degree with a major in epidemiology, biology, biostatistics, toxicology, environmental science, environmental health, ecology, public health, chemistry, virology, immunology, bacteriology, microbiology, statistics, or other health-related field may be substituted for a maximum of two (2) years of the required (A) experience.* II. A Master's degree or higher with a major in epidemiology, biology, biostatistics, toxicology, environmental science, environmental health, ecology, public health, chemistry, virology, immunology, bacteriology, microbiology, statistics, or other health-related field may be substituted for a maximum of three (3) years of the required (A) experience and one (1) year of the required (B) experience.* *Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed. NOTE: Educational substitution will only be permitted for a maximum of one (1) year of the (B) experience.

 

 

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

 

COVID Vaccine: As a condition of employment, depending on job assignment and location, employees may be required to have received COVID-19 vaccination and/or other vaccinations, or to have been approved for a vaccination exemption prior to their start date. Details relating to demonstrating compliance with this requirement will be provided to applicants selected for employment. 

 

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.  Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

 

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.  Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements.  We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.