Epidemiologist - Rsv-Net

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Title: Epidemiologist - RSV-NET
$53,995.20 - $86,424 / Posted Thru: 3-4-24
Location: Remote/Virtual - Must Live in Michigan
Purpose: The mission of the Bureau of Epidemiology and Population Health, MDHHS, is to promote and protect the health, wellness, and safety of all Michigan residents. This position serves as an epidemiologist for the federally funded RESP-NET project to conduct population-based hospitalization surveillance related to respiratory virus infections including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), COVID-19 and influenza. The RSV-NET epidemiologist serves as a subject matter expert for RSV surveillance. This position facilitates communication among partners in communicable disease epidemiology at the local, state, and federal levels.
Duties and Responsibilities:

• Fulfill requirements of the CDC Respiratory Virus Hospitalization Surveillance Network (RESP-NET) grant by conducting surveillance of RSV-associated hospitalizations in select areas of the state or provide population-based data.

• Support the duties of Surveillance Officer for RESP-NET.
• Coordinate receipt of reports of RSV hospitalizations from hospital staff in the study catchment area.
• Maintain RESP-NET database and prepare secure weekly case data transmission with CDC.
• Liaise with the MDHHS Laboratory and other clinical laboratories regarding testing of respiratory disease specimens, subtyping, and antigenic analysis.
• Conduct medical chart reviews, data extraction, and update case reports in RESP-NET database.
• Liaise with the CDC Emerging Infections Program, Influenza Division and Coronavirus and other Respiratory Viruses Division to ensure compliance with the grant.
• Review and respond to database error and cleaning reports.
• Revise and update data collection forms as needed.
• Undertake special RESP-NET projects as assigned.
• Prepare summary analyses and reports as needed.

• Assist in preparation of applications for project-related grant funding, progress reports, contracts, per the instructions of the supervisor.
• Perform data collection and analyses required for grant reporting purposes.
• Prepare oral presentations and written reports as needed.
• Represent MDHHS at local, state, and federal meetings and conferences.
• Participate in special projects/pilots.
• Attend trainings appropriate to position.
• Assist with updates to the MDHHS Pandemic Flu Plan and other relevant public health preparedness documents.
• Assist and support as needed for activities and projects within the Enteric and Respiratory Illnesses Epidemiology Section and Communicable Disease Division.
• Work within MDHHS incident command structure to perform duties as assigned.
• Work with other departments within MDHHS to meet surge capacity needs in an emergency such as large outbreak or unusual incident investigations.
• Attend preparedness and emergency response trainings as offered.
• Report/update on a regular basis to Supervisor.
• Maintain a positive, credible, professional relationship with all parties relevant to projects, and represent the best interest of MPHI and MDHHS at all times.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications / Requirements: Master's degree with a major in epidemiology or in public health with a minimum of 12 combined graduate level term hours or 8 semester hours in epidemiology and biostatistics.
Experience: Two years working as an epidemiologist or equivalent preferred.
Important Skills and Characteristics:

• Knowledge of infectious disease epidemiology.
• Proficient in working with large data sets, Microsoft Office applications such as Excel, Word, PowerPoint.
• Statistical analysis (SAS, R) and data visualization (PowerBI, Tableau) application experience preferred.
• Works well in team situations, is self-motivated, meets deadlines, and handles multiple tasks at one time with minimal supervision.
• Must possess excellent oral and written communication skills and be able to present scientific and technical information to audiences.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements: Standard office environment. Valid motor vehicle operator's license may be required to perform duties of the position. Remote work (home office) options follow MDHHS policies and procedures.
Responsibility for the work of others: No assigned responsibility.
IMPACT ON PROJECTS, SERVICES AND OPERATIONS: This position has a direct impact on the quality of services provided by MPHI to MDHHS.
REQUIRED COMMUNICATION
Contact Person/Group
Frequency
Purpose
Unit Manager
Daily
Position Oversight
Section Manager
Weekly
Position Oversight
Communicable Disease Division Epidemiologists
As Needed
Guidance
Other State, Federal and Local Agencies
As Needed
Coordinate Disease Investigation
"For purposes of employment standards, this classification is "Exempt" from overtime provisions of the fair Labor Standards Act."
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