Epidemiologists

19-1041.00

Investigate and describe the determinants and distribution of disease, disability, or health outcomes. May develop the means for prevention and control.

Occupation-Specific Information

Tasks

• Communicate research findings on various types of diseases to health practitioners, policy makers, and the public.
• Oversee public health programs, including statistical analysis, health care planning, surveillance systems, and public health improvement.
• Investigate diseases or parasites to determine cause and risk factors, progress, life cycle, or mode of transmission.
• Educate healthcare workers, patients, and the public about infectious and communicable diseases, including disease transmission and prevention.
• Monitor and report incidents of infectious diseases to local and state health agencies.
• Plan and direct studies to investigate human or animal disease, preventive methods, and treatments for disease.
• Provide expertise in the design, management and evaluation of study protocols and health status questionnaires, sample selection, and analysis.
• Write articles for publication in professional journals.
• Identify and analyze public health issues related to foodborne parasitic diseases and their impact on public policies, scientific studies, or surveys.
• Write grant applications to fund epidemiologic research.
• Plan, administer and evaluate health safety standards and programs to improve public health, conferring with health department, industry personnel, physicians, and others.
• Conduct research to develop methodologies, instrumentation, and procedures for medical application, analyzing data and presenting findings.
• Consult with and advise physicians, educators, researchers, government health officials and others regarding medical applications of sciences, such as physics, biology, and chemistry.
• Supervise professional, technical, and clerical personnel.
• Standardize drug dosages, methods of immunization, and procedures for manufacture of drugs and medicinal compounds.
• Teach principles of medicine and medical and laboratory procedures to physicians, residents, students, and technicians.
• Prepare and analyze samples to study effects of drugs, gases, pesticides, or microorganisms on cell structure and tissue.

Technology Skills

• Analytical or scientific software - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Epi Info; Circle Systems Stat/Transfer; Cytel Egret; Data visualization software; Disease Mapping and Analysis Program DMAP; Epicenter Software Epilog; EpiData Analysis; Expert Health Data Programming Vitalnet; GeoDa; HiroSoft EPICURE; IBM SPSS Statistics ; Meta-analysis with interactive explanations MIX; National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health NIOSH Life Table Analysis System; Pan American Health Organization SIGEpi; RTI International SUDAAN; SAS ; SaTScan; Signal detection software; StataCorp Stata; Statistical processing software; Statistical software; TerraSeer ClusterSeer; World Health Organization HealthMapper
• Business intelligence and data analysis software - Tableau
• Data base user interface and query software - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC WONDER; Database software; Microsoft Access ; Structured query language SQL
• Data mining software - Data mining software
• Electronic mail software - Microsoft Outlook
• Geographic information system - Esri ArcGIS; ESRI ArcInfo; ESRI ArcView; Geographic information system GIS software
• Internet browser software - Web browser software
• Map creation software - ESRI ArcGIS software 🔥
• Object or component oriented development software - Python ; R
• Office suite software - Microsoft Office software
• Presentation software - Microsoft PowerPoint
• Spreadsheet software - Microsoft Excel
• Web page creation and editing software - Facebook 🔥
• Word processing software - Microsoft Word ; Word processing software

Occupational Requirements

Work Activities

• Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
• Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment - Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
• Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment - Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment - Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment - Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Communicating with People Outside the Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Selling or Influencing Others - Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Staffing Organizational Units - Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources - Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Detailed Work Activities

• Prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations.
• Communicate with government agencies.
• Direct medical science or healthcare programs.
• Research diseases or parasites.
• Train personnel in technical or scientific procedures.
• Plan biological research.
• Develop methods of social or economic research.
• Write articles, books or other original materials in area of expertise.
• Write grant proposals.
• Prepare proposals or grant applications to obtain project funding.
• Establish standards for products, processes, or procedures.
• Advise others on healthcare matters.
• Supervise scientific or technical personnel.
• Establish standards for medical care.
• Instruct college students in physical or life sciences.
• Analyze biological samples.