Job Description

　　The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) seeks an experienced epidemiologist to serve as the Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences' Tuberculosis Response Lead Epidemiologist. This role is responsible for overseeing day-to-day disease investigation and surveillance activities of the case management and disease investigation unit in the Tuberculosis (TB) program of the Division of Global Populations and Infectious Disease Prevention. The incumbent will work as part of a larger surveillance, epidemiology, and data management team within the division.

　　Learn more about what it's like to work at the Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences.

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

　　Supervises staff members functioning as field epidemiologists conducting case management and surveillance activities pertaining to incident cases of TB in Massachusetts and related close contacts. Develops policies and procedures related to TB disease investigation, surveillance and case management and sees them implemented within the team and division. Monitors staff and conducts in person reviews of data and records to ensure quality and timely care for all TB patients reported to the state. Manages the balance between surveillance, case management and clinical functions of the team and communicates to improve effectiveness as a unit. Acquires or seeks staff to acquire all information relevant to ensure quality patient care and excellent surveillance detail from diverse sources, including medical records and patient interviews, in a timely and efficient manner. Advises professional and public constituents via telephone and lectures on TB risk, prevention, and control measures; educates professional and public audiences about TB surveillance, epidemiology, reporting, and control measures. Provides technical assistance in the development of informatics initiatives and other programmatic requirements for TB surveillance data in the Bureau of Infectious Disease, Office of Integrated Surveillance and Informatics Services' infectious disease surveillance and case management system (MAVEN-TB).Monitors workflows and other sources to ensure that all patient care milestones are met and the continuum of care for active TB patients and high-priority LTBI is maintained at the highest possible level. Ensures all TB data are accurate and complete for timely transmission to the CDC. Collaborates on the development and implementation of TB surveillance protocols and QA processes. Provides data and analyses that use appropriate statistical methods for TB presentations and reports for private and public sectors. Keeps informed of current trends and data in the epidemiology of infectious diseases, with particular focus on TB and diverse refugee and immigrant populations, and current practices, by reviewing the professional literature and by attending, when feasible/appropriate, seminars, courses, and conferences. Performs additional data analysis relating to TB control as indicated.

　　Required Qualifications:

　　Knowledge of the principles and practices of epidemiology. Understanding of advanced statistical analysis. Knowledge of the methods of statistical report writing. Knowledge of survey design and development. Understanding of principles of biology and pathogenesis of diseases. Knowledge of general laboratory testing techniques and methods including sample collection.Ability to recognize, evaluate and respond to emergency situations; ability to adjust to changing situations to meet emergency or changing program or production requirements. Power to understand, explain, and apply the laws, rules and regulations, policies, procedures, specifications, standards, and guidelines governing assigned unit activities.

　　Preferred Qualifications:

　　Working knowledge of SAS and other statistical analysis programs. Knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of supervision.Knowledge of the research methods and techniques followed in epidemiology.Ability to analyze and determine the applicability of epidemiological data, to draw conclusions and make appropriate recommendations.Capacity to give oral and written instructions in a precise and understandable manner.Ability to make effective oral presentations.Power to read and interpret such documents as test results, technical manuals, etc.Ability to gather information by examining records and documents and through questioning individuals.Ability to deal tactfully with others; ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with others.Ability to exercise sound judgment.

　　Working Conditions:

　　May require 24/7 response to critical situations or to contribute to disease control in emergent circumstances or times of crisis.

　　About the Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences (BIDLS):

　　The DPH Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences (BIDLS), predominantly located in Jamaica Plain, provides public health response to infectious disease. These services include programmatic and epidemiologic response, as well as laboratory testing through the State Public Health Laboratory (SPHL).

　　Infectious disease response services address concerns of the public as well as those disproportionately affected by infectious disease through a variety of risk factors. BIDLS administers ongoing disease reporting for over 90 reportable diseases in the state. Disease reporting review and follow-up with clinical providers and local boards of health is a central function of the bureau. Surveillance activity is complemented by an extensive contracted service system. These services are funded through state and federal resources and include prevention education, community outreach screening for infectious disease, immunization services, health service navigation, medical case management, insurance enrollment, housing assistance, and referral and linkage to infectious disease treatment.

　　The SPHL provides scientific expertise and capacity to identify infectious agents, chemical agents, and other toxins that cause human disease. The SPHL is an active partner in joint activities with other bureaus/agencies such as environmental health, food and drug, agriculture, disease prevention and health promotion programs, and public safety. The SPHL is a reference laboratory of the national Laboratory Response Network (LRN) and is a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Select Agent laboratory. SPHL staff work closely with laboratory and disease prevention programs at the CDC, and partners with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

　　About the Department of Public Health:

　　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 health care 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 disease, substance abuse, violence, preventable hospitalizations, and health disparities.

　　DPH coordinates programs and policies to address specific diseases and conditions and offer 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. More information can be found at: Department of Public Health | Mass.gov

　　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 Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.

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

　　Qualifications

　　 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.