Position Focus:

The Connecticut Emerging Infections Program (EIP) is a collaborative effort between the Yale School of Public Health and the Connecticut Department of Public Health, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Along with nine other EIP sites and 4-6 additional state health departments, the Connecticut EIP conducts surveillance for hospitalizations due to three viral respiratory pathogens: influenza (FluSurv-NET), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV-NET), and SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-NET). Data collection for the newest surveillance system, COVID-NET, began in March 2020 following the model of FluSurv-NET and RSV-NET as part of the urgent national public health response to COVID-19. The Epidemiologist I will work with the EIP’s respiratory disease surveillance team to ensure the collection of COVID-19, influenza and RSV surveillance data through medical chart review, medical provider contact and/or patient interview.

Essential duties of position:

Thoroughly understand and execute study protocols and procedures to ensure accurate and consistent collection of surveillance data.

Coordinate requests for medical charts of identified COVID-NET/FluSurv-NET/RSV-NET cases at various Connecticut hospitals. This involves organizing the identified cases by hospital and working with the health information department at each hospital to gain access to medical chart information.

Conduct medical chart reviews of the identified cases using a standard data abstraction instrument. This may involve travel to hospitals throughout the state (pending lifting of pandemic restrictions on hospital access), accessing and navigating various electronic medical record systems, identifying the pertinent information in the medical record and abstracting it onto the data collection form.

Obtain additional follow up information, such as vaccination history, from primary care provider offices through fax and phone contact.

Enter data into study databases, clean data, and troubleshoot database issues with assistance of the surveillance coordinator and program manager.

Perform routine statistical analyses and generate data summaries. This involves entry and manipulation of data using Microsoft Access, Excel, REDCap and other software programs as needed (e.g., SAS, R).

Generate basic reports on study progress for the program manager using Microsoft Access, Excel or other software programs (e.g., SAS, R).

Handle protected health information in a sensitive, secure, and confidential manner in keeping with HIPAA privacy policies.

Participate in COVID-NET/FluSurv-NET/RSV-NET related conference calls and meetings with other EIP site and CDC representatives.

Assist with other activities as necessary to maintain the daily functions of the EIP’s respiratory disease surveillance projects including influenza vaccine effectiveness evaluations, surveillance data audits, provider and laboratory surveys, and data entry into the Connecticut Electronic Disease Surveillance System (CTEDSS).

Assist with other special EIP projects as needed. Such activities may include emergency public health response to disease outbreaks (case or control follow-up, chart review, telephone interview, etc.) or special investigations as indicated by the Connecticut Department of Public Health.

Abide by Yale University and Connecticut Department of Public Health confidentiality rules.

Essential Duties

1. Researches and collects data through site or home visit intakes; library research; structured interviews; or through other means for designated research assignments.
2. Records and compiles information related to research data. Codes data accordingly to research specifications. Uses a computer terminal to input and retrieve data and to generate reports.
3. Processes and summarizes data using scientific or statistical techniques. Assists in data interpretation and analyses. Reports on status of research activities.
4. Recruits study participants and ensures that subject recruitment and follow-up are completed per protocol procedures.
5. Orders and maintains inventory of supplies. May assist in designing, developing, and modifying research experiments, procedures, or survey instruments. May assist research and support staff.
6. Performs additional functions incidental to research activities.

Required Education and Experience

Six years of related work experience, four of them in the same job family at the next lower level, and high school level education; or four years of related work experience and an Associate's degree; or little or no work experience and a Bachelor's degree in a related field; or an equivalent combination of experience and education.

Required Skill/Ability 1:

Experience with medical chart review and/or medical terminology from a research or clinical environment.

Required Skill/Ability 2:

Demonstrated experience with EPIC and/or other electronic medical record systems.

Required Skill/Ability 3:

Strong organizational and time management skills with ability to work independently to prioritize tasks according to program needs and to accomplish stated program goals. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Required Skill/Ability 4:

Intermediate skills with standard Microsoft Office software programs including Excel.

Required Skill/Ability 5:

Car and willingness to travel throughout the state of Connecticut: travel reimbursement provided.

Preferred Education, Experience and Skills:

Bachelor's or Master’s Degree in Public Health, Biology, Microbiology or related field. Experience with CTEDSS. Data analysis experience with SAS or R. Understanding of infectious disease surveillance methods and procedures. Experience with EPIC and Redcap. Experience working with patients and in depth medical chart reviews.

Weekend Hours Required?

No

Evening Hours Required?

No

Drug Screen

No

Health Screening

No

Background Check Requirements

All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. Please visit www.yale.edu/hronline/careers/screening/faqs.html for additional information on the background check requirements and process.

Additional Background or Health Screening Requirements

Selected incumbent must have successful completion of a DMV check, a valid driver’s license and a car available.

Posting Disclaimer

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the particular position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through their hiring departments.

Affirmative Action Statement:

Yale University considers applicants for employment without regard to, and does not discriminate on the basis of, an individual’s sex, race, color, religion, age, disability, status as a veteran, or national or ethnic origin; nor does Yale discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 protects people from sex discrimination in educational programs and activities at institutions that receive federal financial assistance. Questions regarding Title IX may be referred to the University’s Title IX Coordinator, at TitleIX@yale.edu, or to the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 8th Floor, Five Post Office Square, Boston MA 02109-3921. Telephone: 617.289.0111, Fax: 617.289.0150, TDD: 800.877.8339, or Email: ocr.boston@ed.gov.

Note

Yale University is a tobacco-free campus