Substance Use Epidemiologist II (Healthcare)
Equal Opportunity Employer
The mission of the Health Federation of Philadelphia is to promote health equity for marginalized communities by advancing access to high-quality, integrated, and comprehensive health and human services. Health equity is at the heart of all our work. We believe in and are firmly committed to equal employment opportunity for employees and applicants. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, religion, disability, sex or gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, military or veteran status. This commitment applies to all aspects of the Health Federation of Philadelphia's employment practices, including recruiting, hiring, training, and promotion.
JOB SUMMARY
This position provides epidemiological and analytical data support to the Division of Substance Use Prevention and Harm Reduction (SUPHR) at the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH). The person filling this position is responsible for assisting with the collection, management, visualization and analysis of substance use-related datasets in the City of Philadelphia. This data will be used to support the City's and PDPH's public health policy, prevention, and response activities. The person filling this position will work closely with the Susbtance Use Epidemiology manager, other data staff within SUPHR, as well as with staff within the Managing Director's Office, the Medical Examiner's Office, the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services, the Fire Department, and with academic, healthcare and community partners across the City.
JOB SPECIFICATIONS
Responsibilities/Duties
- Abstract, clean, and analyze substance-use related datasets.
- Perform routine data matches between substance-use related datasets.
- Lead the development and refinement of data visualization activities including dashboards and reports, both internal and external facing.
- Support the fulfillment of internal and external requests for data.
- Obtain and manage Institutional Review Board (IRB) approvals when required
- Identify barriers in overdose surveillance efforts, and provide suggestions to improve surveillance, including recommendations for improving data collection processes.
- Oversee collection and timely reporting of grant required data submissions.
- Serve as a representative for grantee teleconferences/meetings.
- Conduct analysis using substance use related datasets (e.g., prescription drug monitoring program, syndromic surveillance, mortality data, hospital reporting)
- Assist data staff in analysis and surveillance projects within the unit.
- Assist in the coordination and management of routine surveillance epidemiology meetings.
- Provide support to 1-2 student interns and/or entry-level data staff, when applicable.
- Summarize analytic findings for presentation at scientific conferences and publication in technical and scientific journals.
- Other duties as assigned.
Education/Experience
Completion of a Master's of Public Health Degree program at an accredited college or university in Epidemiology or related field that includes a minimum of two graduate level courses in Epidemiology or two comparable graduate level classes in advanced research methodology AND two graduate level courses in statistics or biostatistics.
Skills/Experience
- A minimum of 2-5 years of experience as an epidemiologist (or related work) in an academic, public, or private setting.
- Knowledge of substance use and drug related terminology.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong organizational skills.
- Experience with database development (REDCap preferred).
- Experience with mapping software (ArcGIS preferred).
- Strong data visualization skills, including dashboard and report creation (R Preferred)
- Strong data management and analytical abilities using statistical analysis software (R preferred).
- Knowledge of the principles and procedures of epidemiological research including study design or epidemiological surveys, theory and application of epidemiological methodologies, principles and methods of biostatistics, and preparation of scientific research reports.
- Ability to work as part of a team, to prioritize and handle multiple tasks and manage project timelines with a high degree of organizational skill, and to work independently in a high-pressure environment.
- Ability to analyze and think critically to apply reasonable judgment and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to analyze data and write project proposals and technical reports.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with people contacted in the course of work.
- Sensitivity to and experience working with ethnically, culturally, and sexually diverse individuals, communities, agencies, and organizations.
Work Environment: Standard office setting with extended periods at workstation and periodic use of office equipment.
Position Type and Work Schedule: Full-time position, typical hours are Monday through Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Flex office schedule options available with supervisor's approval.
Travel: Local travel to multiple sites and community meetings a few times a month.
Physical Demands: None
Salary and Benefits: Salary: $70,000 – $75,000/year. Our employees are our most valuable resource, so we offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package, which can include:
- Medical with vision benefits
- Dental insurance
- Flexible spending accounts
- Life, AD&D and long-term care insurance
- Short- and long-term disability insurance
- 403(b) Retirement Plan, with a company contribution
- Paid time off including vacation, sick, personal and holiday.
- Employee Assistance Program
Eligibility and participation are handled consistent with the plan documents and HFP policy.
DISCLAIMER
The Health Federation reserves the right to modify, interpret, or apply this job description in any way the Company desires. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by an employee assigned to this position. This job description in no way implies that these are the only duties, including essential duties, responsibilities and/or skills to be performed by the employee occupying this position. This job description is not an employment contract, implied, or otherwise. The employment relationship remains “at will.” The aforementioned job requirements are subject to change to reasonably accommodate qualified disabled individuals.
