Public Health Epidemiologist

Position Summary
Interior Health are looking for an experienced Public Health Epidemiologist to join our team on a part time, term basis. This position has a flexible work location preferably within the Interior Health region but must be within British Columbia.

What we offer:
-Employee & Family Assistance Program
-Employer paid training/education opportunities
-Employer paid vacation
-Medical Services Plan
-Employer paid insurance premiums
-Extended health & dental coverage
-Possible Municipal Pension Plan
-Work-life balance

Salary:
Salary range for the position is $88,990 to $127,923. Interior Health establishes salaries within the minimum and maximum of the salary range based on consideration of the qualifications, experience of the applicant, and an internal equity review of the salaries of other employees.

About the job:
In accordance with the established vision and values of the organization, the Public Health Epidemiologist will be responsible for providing epidemiological expertise and analytical leadership for population and public health surveillance and health assessment functions of the Epidemiology & Surveillance Unit.

The Public Health Epidemiologist is a key member of the Epidemiology & Surveillance Unit. This Unit directly supports the work of the Medical Health Officers (MHOs), as well as supporting multidisciplinary work across Population Health and other Interior Health (IH) program areas. The Epidemiologist has health authority-wide responsibility in leading the establishment, maintenance, analysis, and reporting of IH population and public health surveillance systems. Other responsibilities include investigation of community clusters and outbreaks, evaluation of programs and interventions, development of applied epidemiological research, and translation of surveillance data into institutional policy.

Typical duties and responsibilities:

• Leads and participates in the establishment, development, and implementation of new and complex surveillance systems for identified population and public health problems, diseases, and health events across IH.

• Participates in the evaluation of current surveillance systems.

• Investigates conditions or events of public health importance including communicable diseases, chronic diseases, and/or other adverse outcomes.

• Manages data collection, analyzes data, interprets results, and creates regular surveillance reports. Assists in the preparation and production of key publications informing population and public health issues for use by MHOs, Senior Leadership, Corporate Directors, Managers, and healthcare providers as well as for use by external partners and for public information.

• Communicates and aids in the appropriate interpretation of surveillance data to members of the MHO Leadership Team. Recommends evidence-based interventions and control measures in response to epidemiological findings.

• Plans, administers, and evaluates programs to improve population and public health, conferring with IH internal and external partners.

• Participates in the investigation and control of clusters and outbreaks of public health importance.

• Leads and oversees applied surveillance and epidemiological research, including measurement and validation of outcomes and current practice and evaluating interventions in order to enhance current population and public health programs and disease prevention and control strategies.

• Supports the development of population and public health knowledge by presenting applied epidemiological research findings at conferences and participates in publishing in peer-reviewed journals.

• Fosters and maintains positive, collaborative, and effective interdisciplinary working relationships with IH internal and external partners.

• Maintains an awareness of current population and public health epidemiologic literature, related trends, and issues through literature review; contact with peers at other organizations; and attendance at seminars, workshops, and education programs. Applies published research findings to clinical practice.

• In alignment with IH’s Occupational Health & Safety Program, employees shall adhere to all Occupational Health and Safety policies and procedures at all times and attend all required training. Employees are responsible to report any identified hazards, unsafe conditions or incidents to the manager or supervisor immediately.

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualfications
Honouring Interior Health’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation and the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA), and Pursuant to Section 42 of the BC Human Rights Code, preferential consideration and/or hiring will be given to qualified applicants who self-identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, or Inuit).

Education, Training, and Experience
• A Master’s degree or a PhD in Epidemiology, Public Health, or a related discipline.
• Five (5) years of related experience in a health care setting and/or Public Health.
• Or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Completion of the Canadian Field Epidemiology Program, or equivalent, would be an asset.

Skills and Abilities
• Demonstrated knowledge in the design, implementation, and/or evaluation of surveillance systems.
• Demonstrated methodological skills in the analysis and application of epidemiological data.
• Training in public health epidemiology and familiarity with relevant methodologies and approaches. Demonstrated knowledge of applied epidemiological methods.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with staff at all levels within and external to the organization, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary, dynamic environment as part of a collaborative and high-functioning team. Foster effective working relationships that promote cooperative goal achievement and contribute to an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect.
• Ability to work independently under pressure within tight deadlines, and exercise judgement in setting priorities, identifying issues, and determining action.
• Ability to critically review literature and evidence and formulate appropriate recommendations.
• Demonstrated leadership qualities with excellent organizational, interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated analytical and statistical skills including ability to find, collect, analyze, and interpret data, apply statistical concepts, and prepare written reports.
• Demonstrated knowledge of statistical, data management, and data visualization software systems. Proficiency with R preferred. Experience with using Power BI for data visualization would be an asset.
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.