Job Summary:

In accordance with the Mission, Vision and Values, and strategic directions of Provincial Health Services Authority patient safety is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA, and as such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position. Reporting to the Medical Lead, the Epidemiologist is responsible for provincial communicable disease control, environmental hazard surveillance, disease surveillance and outbreak investigation. The Epidemiologist manages surveillance; outbreak and hazard investigation and intervention; provides consultation based on expert knowledge to a broad range of stakeholders including regional health authorities, other provincial and national partners, and health professionals and disseminates critical information through electronic bulletins, prepared reports, presentations and media communications. Accuracy and completeness of information as well as sound judgment are essential to ensuring decisions are made to guard public safety. Errors or miscalculations could result in significant health and societal costs and human suffering and loss of corporate credibility.

Duties/Accountabilities:

• Develops and maintains surveillance initiatives, including performing functions such as getting an accurate reporting case definition, defining additional information required beyond that for routine reporting, and making sure the information gets to critical stakeholders.

• Ensures timely and effective communication of reports by continuous improvement of surveillance systems, holding a constant focus on turn-around times from various sources, and alerting all stakeholders and those who need the information to respond appropriately to threats. Prepares background material and media releases and responds as delegated to media inquiries and interview requests.

• Critically analyzes communicable disease and environmental hazard data utilizing comprehensive multi-layered understanding of epidemiology, public health and direct and indirect health care and societal impacts by identifying and responding to deviations from expected reporting patterns and clusters of disease/hazards, preparing, or collaborating in the preparation of reports, identifying and providing supporting rationale for appropriate interventions

• Provides consultation services to regional health authorities, other provincial partners, national partners, special interest groups, health care professionals, and the public including responding to inquiries, identifying and making recommendations for addressing risk factors, developing education materials and making presentations. Liaises with public health, acute care, and other partners in these activities.

• Evaluates existing programs and research relevant to the prevention and control of communicable diseases and environmental hazards by conducting literature reviews, designing and implementing studies, collecting and analyzing data, and writing reports. Designs appropriate studies for investigating outbreaks, unusual clusters, or environmental hazards; prepares questionnaires; and analyzes outbreak data and recommends appropriate interventions. Contributes to applied public health research and ensures new understanding and knowledge is shared by publishing findings in recognized/peer-reviewed scientific journals or presentations at professional conferences.

• Assists with budget preparation, briefing note development, and justification of program expenditures; represents Epidemiology Services and BCCDC on various internal and external working groups, including national and provincial committees; partners with other agencies to ensure multi-disciplinary input and collaboration in development of public health initiatives; and provides input to the development of policies and provincial guidelines. Participates in strategic decision-making, program and policy development related to program area.

• Contributes eighty percent of activities toward program specific goals and twenty percent on centre-wide initiatives. Collaborates and provides coverage across program areas. Participates in quality improvement activities (including imPROVE) and ensures compliance with accreditation standards.

• Provides mentorship and work direction to surveillance analysts, field epidemiologists and supervises students including community medicine residents and others; oversees specific projects and provides input into performance evaluations.

Qualifications:

A level of education, training, and experience equivalent to a Masters in Epidemiology or Public Health (MSc or MPH or MHSc) and a minimum of 2 years experience in the field of public health. Clinical skills and experience in nursing or infection control and/or experience as a communicable disease epidemiologist or federal field epidemiologist considered an asset.

Ability and experience in designing, implementing, and conducting studies, their interpretation, written reporting and publication. Demonstrated ability to secure grant funding in support of research initiatives. Demonstrated statistical analysis skills, including disease mapping and analysis and recognition of disease clustering. Excellent computer skills with proficiency in maintaining large databases of statistical and analytical software. Excellent communication and leadership skills. Ability to work well in interdisciplinary teams. Effective interpersonal skills, mature judgment and flexibility. Ability to use a variety of statistical software tools.