Position Summary
Join a multi-disciplinary Public Health team to provide disease surveillance, data collection and analysis, and epidemiological support to our operations. Participate in and conduct surveillance activities, statutorily reportable infectious diseases investigations, and outbreak control and management. Maintain the overdose surveillance system in our community. Lead the creation and maintenance of multiple data collection tools and data dashboards.
This role is also responsible for responding to data requests, assisting in the Regional Health Assessment (RHA) data collection and analysis and tracking Lincoln County’s specific indicators for the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). Providing subject-matter expertise and data support for programs in the Public Health Division. Actively participating in emergency preparedness activities.
HHS Department on Hwy 101 in Newport
Essential Functions/Major Responsibilities
Communicable Disease Control and Emergency Response:
- Manage local reports of notifiable diseases.
- Conduct epidemiologic disease investigations including foodborne illness outbreaks as part of a multi-disciplinary team
- Investigate and document individual communicable disease case data based on current investigative guidelines and consistent with Oregon statute, rule and program standards.
- Interview persons infected with or potentially exposed to reportable communicable diseases and others related to infections and outbreaks.
- Work collaboratively with partners on communicable disease interventions, prevention, and control activities. Partners can includemedical providers, hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, laboratories, pharmacies, law enforcement, veterinarians, schools, faith communities, businesses, community groups and others.
- Investigate and work to control disease outbreaks within the authority, in collaboration with partners.
- Communicate with state communicable disease epidemiologists for disease reporting, data system support, data management and exchange, and outbreak analysis.
- Develop CD response evaluation process and assessment reports of outbreak investigations and response efforts.
- Ensure CD triennial review requirements and metrics are met through regular quality assurance and monitoring.
- At the request of division administration, work with other agencies and organizations to support communicable disease investigation, emergency response, and support for departmental emergency preparedness activities.
- Conduct literature reviews related to diseases, investigations, case management and other program activities. Recommend and advise program staff and leadership on evidence-based interventions in response to findings.
- Complete all required program-specific training and continuing training/education mandates
Disease Surveillance:
- Conduct data gathering, documentation, and analysis for disease investigations.
- Assist with design and utilization of surveillance and data management systems to help include groups subject to health disparities or other potentially underrepresented groups.
- Utilize Electronic Health Record and other electronic documenting programs to ensure disease surveillance.
- Educate local providers on reportable disease requirements.
- Ensure timely and accurate reporting of reportable diseases.
- Develop and maintain disease surveillance dashboards.
Health Data Collection, Analysis and Dissemination:
- Develop a healthcare providers focused quarterly newsletter on disease incidence and/or prevalence in the county.
- Develop disease fact sheets to be shared with community partners and the public.
- Collect, manage, record, and analyze Public Health program data.
- Summarize and share information with various audiences on communicable disease prevention and control.
- Lead the development of data dashboards that display the health status of the community as well as showcase the work of the various programs administered by the Public Health division.
- Assist with development of public and media materials, publications, and presentations.
- Prepare and deliver written and oral reports and presentations to professional audiences, community partners, policy makers, and the public.
- Apply health literacy and health equity practices when collecting, reporting, or presenting data to programs, the community, and policy makers.
Health Data Analysis/Epidemiological Consultation:
- Provide and review technical assistance to communities and outside partners with respect to surveillance and other epidemiologic data and evaluation.
- Collaborate with managers and community partners and recommend process and outcome measures that align with organizational goals.
- Assist leadership with monitoring, tracking, and advising on program and population data; participate on committees to gather information or plan studies to evaluate performance data; make recommendations based on results of study.
- Work as liaison to outside data-generating entities to develop and maintain partnerships for sharing and using data.
- Use skills that foster collaborations, strong partnerships, and team building to accomplish epidemiology program objectives.
- Develop professional relationships with state, local, tribal, academic epidemiologists, and with population-health database experts to support and improve coordinated surveillance, monitoring and presentation of epidemiologic data and evaluation.
- Provide technical assistance and consultation to Public Health leadership and staff in the areas of epidemiology and performance management.
- Provide Health Services-wide support for surveys and research including design, collection, analysis, and interpretation of primary and secondary health data.
Special Projects:
- Participate in and lead epidemiological investigations in homes, schools, or other locations in the community; make recommendations to prevent and control the spread of disease.
- Lead, convene, and participate in team meetings, training, and activities to further the health of the community.
- Participate in emergency preparedness activities.
- Assist and support the RHA and Community Health Assessment data collection and analysis processes as well as the data work and indicators development behind the CHIP.
- Provide subject-matter expertise and data support for program areas across the Public Health Division and among other divisions within Health and Human Services as needed.
Typical Qualifications
Minimum Education Level
Bachelors in Public Health field, epidemiology, or biostatistics.
Minimum Experience Level
Two to three years’ work experience with a city, county or state public health department conducting epidemiological data management/analysis, communicable disease investigation, or health/social research.
Substitution Note: Master’s degree in Public Health with an emphasis in biostatistics or epidemiology or Master’s degree in Epidemiology and one year of work experience.
Driver’s License
Oregon Driver's License required within 30 days of hire.
Desirable Qualifications:
Master’s degree in Public Health with an emphasis in biostatistics or epidemiology and one year of experience performing epidemiological or related work. Experience with Community Health Assessments and data dashboards. Prior experience developing a health surveillance system.
Knowledge of:
- Extensive knowledge of principles and methods of epidemiology.
- Extensive knowledge of principles and methods of biostatistics.
- Extensive knowledge of methods of managing and analyzing data.
- Extensive knowledge of principles and methods of disease surveillance.
- Analytical Assessment.
- Cultural Competency.
- Public Health Science.
Skill or ability to:
- Evaluate and interpret scientific literature.
- Determine data sufficiency, reliability, and relevance.
- Identify project scope and complexity.
- Research and analyze problems using data systems.
- Organize work and set priorities.
- Recognize programs and projects inefficiencies and recommend solutions.
- Convey information, ideas, and facts both orally and in writing to supervisors, colleagues, and individuals, inside and outside the county, using language and a format the audience will best understand.
- Utilize computers and other technology to communicate in written and verbal forms (e.g., word processing, texts, emails, spreadsheets, department-specific software).
- Effectively relate well with others, including supervisors, colleagues, and individuals inside and outside the county. Exhibit a professional manner in dealing with others and working to maintain constructive working relationships.
- Take personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work. Show up to work on time, and follows instructions, policies, and procedures. Meet productivity standards, deadlines, and work schedules.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS
Lincoln County is committed to providing reasonable accommodations as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This job description indicates, in general, the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities, and essential functions expected of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Lincoln County, OR | Official Website
Health & Human Services | Lincoln County, OR
Public Health | Lincoln County, OR
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Lincoln County offers a comprehensive benefit package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision which is paid at 90% by the County and 10% by the employee. Other fully paid benefits include life, AD&D, long-term disability insurance. Other optional insurances are available. A 401K retirement plan is also provided. The County's current contribution rate is 11%.
Regular and Trial Service employees working between 20 - 39 hours per week on a regular basis are eligible for pro-rated employee benefits.
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