The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) seeks an experienced individual responsible for establishing and maintaining surveillance systems within the Division of Surveillance, Analytics and Informatics (DSAI), Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences (BIDLS). Particular focus will be on viral hepatitis. The incumbent will participate in the development and implementation of the Massachusetts Virtual Epidemiologic Network (MAVEN), the Bureau’s web-based integrated disease surveillance and case management system, and other health information exchange initiatives for the BIDLS. This position will liaise between DSAI and other program areas within the Department in support of reportable infectious disease surveillance and informatics activities. This position will develop standards to validate data and prepare statistical, technical, and educational reports for private and public sectors, while ensuring electronic reporting activities meet programmatic need. This position will establish and monitor baseline levels of morbidity and mortality and implement infectious disease control measures.

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

• Responsible for establishing and maintaining surveillance systems within the Division of Surveillance, Analytics and Informatics (DSAI), Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences (BIDLS).
• Participate in the development and implementation of the Massachusetts Virtual Epidemiologic Network (MAVEN), the Bureau’s web-based disease surveillance and case management system, and other health information exchange initiatives.
• Provide subject matter expertise in support of viral hepatitis surveillance and informatics activities.
• Collaborate with other epidemiologists and informaticians at both the state and national level to assure that the collection of common data elements is unified across reportable infectious diseases.
• Provide analysis of viral hepatitis surveillance data.
• Assist with development and interpretation of data standards, survey instruments, data collection methods and processes.
• Develop and implement quality assurance controls and protocols with regard to the collection and monitoring of infectious disease data; develop standards to validate data.
• May be required to respond to infectious disease emergencies on a 24-hours/7 days per week basis by determining appropriate control methods in order to alleviate the crisis.

Required Qualifications:

• Awareness of the principles and practices of epidemiology. Knowledge of the research methods and techniques followed in epidemiology.
• Understanding of advanced statistical analysis. Knowledge of the methods of statistical report writing.
• Ability to analyze and determine the applicability of epidemiological data, to draw conclusions and make appropriate recommendations.
• Capacity to recognize, evaluate and respond to emergency situations; ability to adjust to changing situations to meet emergency or changing program or production requirements.
• Capability to deal tactfully with others; ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with others.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong analytical skills and experience with SAS and other analytic tools.
• Candidates with subject matter expertise in infectious disease surveillance and informatics.
• Experience working with confidential data.

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 general 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: MA Department of Public Health

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.

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 Reasonable Accommodation Online 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

Comprehensive Benefits

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