National
| Median wages (2008) |
$29.50 hourly, $61,360 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
5,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Faster than average (14% to 20%)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
2,000 additional employees |
19-1041.00 - Epidemiologists
Investigate and describe the determinants and distribution of disease, disability, and other health outcomes and develop the means for prevention and control.
Sample of reported job titles:
Epidemiologist, Nurse Epidemiologist, Infection Control Practitioner (ICP), Epidemiology Investigator, Research Epidemiologist, Chronic Disease Epidemiologist, Communicable Disease Specialist, Epidemiologist Advanced, State Epidemiologist, Environmental Epidemiologist
Tasks
- 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 mode of transmission.
- Educate healthcare workers, patients, and the public about infectious and communicable diseases, including disease transmission and prevention.
- Conduct research to develop methodologies, instrumentation and procedures for medical application, analyzing data and presenting findings.
- Identify and analyze public health issues related to foodborne parasitic diseases and their impact on public policies or scientific studies or surveys.
- Supervise professional, technical and clerical personnel.
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Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Desktop computers |
| Notebook computers — Laptop computers |
| Personal computers |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Analytical or scientific software — SAS software; SPSS software; TerraSeer ClusterSeer; World Health Organization HealthMapper |
| Data base user interface and query software — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC WONDER; Microsoft Access; Structured query language SQL |
| Data mining software |
| Internet browser software — Web browser software |
| Map creation software — ESRI ArcInfo; ESRI ArcView |
| Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel |
| Word processing software — Microsoft Word |
