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Epidemiologists are public health professionals who investigate patterns
and causes of disease and injury in humans. They seek to reduce the risk
and occurrence of negative health outcomes through research, community
education, and health policy.
Epidemiologists study the sudden outbreak of a disease to determine
factors like where it came from and how it is passed to others.
Epidemiologists like Statisticians design and
apply statistical principles
and techniques for collecting, organising and interpreting quantifiable
data, and use statistical methodologies to produce statistical reports
and analyses for government, commercial and other purposes.
ANZSCO ID: 224113
Specialisations: Epidemiologists
conduct research and work to improve health in the following areas:
- Infectious diseases;
- Bioterrorism/emergency response
- Maternal and child health
- Chronic diseases
- Environmental health
- Injury
- Occupational health
- Substance abuse
- Oral health
Knowledge, skills and attributes
To become an epidemiologist, you would need:
- an aptitude for analysis and research
- good maths skills
- good reasoning and problem-solving skills
- good communication skills
- the ability to work independently or as part of a team.
(Source:
Milken Institute School of Public Health -
George Washington University)
Duties and Tasks
As an epidemiologist, you would:
- Monitor and report incidents of infectious diseases to local and state health agencies
- Plan and direct studies to investigate human or animal disease, preventive methods, and treatments for disease
- Communicate research findings on various types of diseases to health practitioners, policy makers, and the public
- Provide expertise in the design, management and evaluation of study protocols and health status questionnaires, sample selection and analysis
- Oversee public health programs, including statistical analysis, health care planning, surveillance systems, and public health improvement
- Investigate diseases or parasites to determine cause and risk factors, progress, life cycle, or modes of transmission.
- Formulate mathematical models to simulate processes.
- Apply models to experimental observations, and adjust and recast the models.
- Use numerical analysis methods to develop algorithms and perform computations.
- Liaise with hospital management, other scientists and politicians to determine the subject or area to be surveyed or examined.
- Specify the data to be collected, and the methodology to be used in collection and analysis.
- Evaluate and describe the reliability and utility of source information.
- Analyse and interpret data and produces relevant statistics to describe and infer particular trends and patterns.
Working conditions
Most epidemiologists work full time and have a standard work schedule.
Occasionally, epidemiologists may have to work long or irregular hours
in order to complete fieldwork or tend to duties during public health
emergencies.
Epidemiologists work in offices and laboratories, usually in government
health departments, hospitals, and at universities. Some do fieldwork to
conduct interviews and collect samples for analyses. Fieldwork may bring
epidemiologists into contact with infectious disease, but it is very
rare to become sick as a result of the contact
because they receive appropriate training and take extensive precautions
before interacting with samples or patients.
Education and training/entrance
requirements
Epidemiologists need at least a master’s degree. A master’s degree in
public health, with an emphasis in epidemiology is most common, but
epidemiologists can earn degrees in a wide range of related fields and
specialisations. Epidemiologists who direct research projects usually
have a PhD in their chosen field.
Some epidemiologists have a degree in epidemiology and a medical degree.
These scientists often work in clinical capacities.
There are many and varied pathways to becoming an epidemiologist. They
usually involve an undergraduate degree in a related field such as
medicine, health science, science with majors in mathematics/statistics,
psychology, or sociology or arrange of biomedical sciences, followed by
a postgraduate degree in epidemiology, biostatistics or public health.
The options for postgraduate study include:
a graduate diploma or masters degree in epidemiology, biostatistics or
public health that involve substantial coursework, including units in
epidemiology, and completion of a minor research project with
dissertation
b. Masters by research degree or PhD in
epidemiology, biostatistics or public health focused on a major research
project usually with at least some coursework undertaken prior to or
during the period of study.
Employment Opportunties
Employment of epidemiologists is projected to grow about as fast as the
average for all occupations.
Continued improvements in medical record-keeping will further improve
epidemiologists’ ability to track health outcomes, demographic data, and
other useful data. Improvements in statistical and mapping software will
improve analysis, make epidemiological data more useful, and increase
demand for epidemiologists.
Related Jobs or Working
with these Jobs
Materials sourced from
CareerTrend [Epidemiologist; ]
CareerHQ [Epidemiologist;
]
Milken Institute School of Public Health -
George Washington University [Epidemiologist;
]
Your Career [Statistician;
]
