Antimicrobial Resistance Epidemiologist – State of Indiana – Indianapolis, IN

The Epidemiologist provides assistance and expertise for conducting multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) surveillance, investigating MDRO outbreaks, recommending infection control measures and analyzing and interpreting MDRO disease data. You will serve as a subject matter expert on MDRO for internal and external stakeholders and serves as the agency Epidemiologist-on-Call for approximately three one-week periods each year

The essential functions of this role are as follows:

• Coordinates MDRO surveillance, investigation, prevention and control activities and ensures that case information is accurate, complete and reported in a timely manner;
• Assists with the development, preparation, review and distribution of procedures and protocols for various infectious disease investigations;
• Serve as a subject matter expert for health care providers, local health department staff and the general public for MDROs and antimicrobial stewardship;
• Provide guidance to ISDH program areas, field staff, local health departments, health care providers, hospitals and others during MDRO outbreaks;
• Conducts on-site infection control assessments in healthcare facilities in response to MDRO organisms;
• Provides training and education on MDRO organisms;
• Analyzes data gathered during epidemiologic investigations using appropriate statistical methods and computer software;
• Collaborate with external partners to determine MDRO training needs;
• Serve as a media spokesperson when necessary;
• Analyze data and prepare and distribute reports and feedback to healthcare providers, local health departments and other partners;
• Manage and supervise the Antimicrobial Resistance Public Health Investigator;
• As needed, participate in community outreach activities that include screenings, health fairs, vaccination clinics and educational presentations. Outreach venues may include neighborhoods, health-care facilities, correctional facilities, bars/clubs, or other settings;

The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to interview and to perform the essential functions of this role.

A master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., public health, biological sciences, or social sciences) and 2 years’ relevant public health experience; OR a doctoral-level degree in epidemiology or other relevant fields; OR a graduate or professional degree in a health-related field (e.g., RN, MD/DO, DDS/DMD, DVM, PhD, RS) with specific epidemiology training (e.g., MPH degree, CDC Epidemic Intelligence Service, or CSTE Applied Epidemiology Fellowship); OR a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and 4 years of relevant public health experience; OR a high-performing Epidemiologist 1 or other internal role based on demonstrated ability, competency attainment, and/or performance feedback.

Additional knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for success in this role:

• Broad knowledge of principles of public health practice, especially those applicable to the surveillance, prevention and control of infectious diseases;
• Broad knowledge of principles of public health surveillance, including electronic disease reporting and syndromic surveillance;
• Specific knowledge of principles, practices and investigative procedures of infectious disease epidemiology;
• Specific knowledge of and ability to conduct statistical procedures used in epidemiologic analysis;
• Ability to initiate, conduct and report on complex epidemiological studies relating to various communicable diseases;
• Ability to quickly learn and accurately interpret federal, state and local laws, rules, regulations and policies relating to communicable diseases;
• Ability to provide technical assistance to medical practitioners, hospital staff, public health officials, agency staff, businesses and laypeople;
• Ability to effectively communicate with health care professionals, state and local officials, public health officials, the media and laypeople, verbally and in writing and individually or in group settings;
• Ability to coordinate and maintain effective working relationships with various internal and external customers and stakeholders.

NOTE: If the selected candidate does not meet the above-listed criteria, we will consider candidates with the following criteria and will hire as an Epidemiologist 1 at an annual salary of $50,076. Once Epidemiologist 1 meets the above criteria, the employee will be assessed on Epidemiologist E7 competency and may be promoted with an increase in pay at that time: Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., public health, biological sciences); OR bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., public health, biological sciences); OR bachelor’s degree in a non-relevant field and 2+ years of public health experience.