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Epidemiologist, Primary Care
Child Health BC
Vancouver, BC
Reporting to the Provincial Director, Primary Care and Preventive Health or designate, the Epidemiologist provides expertise in the areas of health services research, biostatistics, and epidemiology as it relates to departmental initiatives and goals and the promotion of health services. The Epidemiologist works in close partnership with key stakeholders, including but not limited to Provincial Leads, Data Analysts, Ministry of Health Services and researchers. This role ensures the quality and integrity of data and performs regular data analysis and generates reports. The Epidemiologist also assists in applied research activities and complex statistical analysis to assess risk and identify gaps. This role is responsible for knowledge translation and dissemination of information and provides advice and guidance to staff and stakeholders on research studies and data interpretation.
What you’ll do
- Develop and maintain 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.
- Ensure 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. Prepare background material and media releases and respond as delegated to media inquiries and interview requests.
- Critically analyze 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
- Provide 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. Liaise with public health, acute care, and other partners in these activities.
- Evaluate 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. Design appropriate studies for investigating outbreaks, unusual clusters, or environmental hazards; prepare questionnaires; and analyze outbreak data and recommend appropriate interventions. Contribute to applied public health research and ensure new understanding and knowledge is shared by publishing findings in recognized/peer-reviewed scientific journals or presentations at professional conferences.
What you bring
Qualifications
- A level of education, training and experience equivalent to a Master’s Degree in a related health discipline Graduation from an approved program in medical transcription
- Three (3) years of recent related experience
- A PhD considered an asset.
Skills and Knowledge
- Thorough knowledge of epidemiological principles, research methodologies, health surveillance, health indicator development and management, and biostatistical techniques are required.
- Strong research, analytic and communication skills.
- Knowledge of the Canadian public health surveillance systems and data resources relevant to area of expertise.
- Identify and analyze, trends and changes in disease and corresponding risk factors, contributory factors, incidence and prevalence rates, outcomes and other relevant epidemiological measures.
- Experience with large administrative and/or clinical datasets an asset, as well as proficiency with software such as Microsoft Office, SPSS, SAS, and GIS.
- Communication, including report writing and presentation of findings, and organizational skills to collaborate in a multidisciplinary environment on research and surveillance planning required.
- Demonstrate awareness of and commitment to learning and understanding the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight Report (2020), BC’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), and other related reports.
- Commit to upholding the shared responsibility of creating lasting and meaningful reconciliation in Canada as per TRC (2015) and BC’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019).
- As a strong asset for consideration, we are looking for our successful candidate to have: Knowledge of social, economic, political and historical realities impacting indigenous communities and familiarity with Indigenous Cultural Safety and anti-racism and accompanying reports (BC DRIPA, TRC, etc.).
What we bring
Every PHSA employee enables the best possible patient care for our patients and their families. Whether you are providing direct care, conducting research, or making it possible for others to do their work, you impact the lives of British Columbians today and in the future. That’s why we’re focused on your care too – offering health, wellness, development programs to support you – at work and at home.
- Join one of BC’s largest employers with province-wide programs, services and operations – offering vast opportunities for growth, development, and recognition programs that honour the commitment and contribution of all employees.
- Access to professional development opportunities through our in-house training programs, including +2,000 courses, such as our San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training course, or Core Linx for Leadership roles.
- Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including municipal pension plan, and psychological health & safety programs and holistic wellness resources.
- Annual statutory holidays (13) with generous vacation entitlement and accruement.
- PHSA is a remote work friendly employer, welcoming flexible work options to support our people (eligibility may vary, depending on position).
- Access to WorkPerks, a premium discount program offering a wide range of local and national discounts on electronics, entertainment, dining, travel, wellness, apparel, and more.
Job Type: Regular Full-Time
Salary Range: $80,935 – $116,344 / Year The starting salary for this position would be determined with consideration of the successful candidate’s relevant education and experience, and would be in alignment with the provincial compensation reference plan. Salary will be prorated accordingly for part time roles.
Location: #200 – 1770 West 7th Ave, Vancouver BC, V6J 4Y6
Applications will be accepted until position is filled.
Hours of Work: Monday – Friday; 0830 – 1630
Requisition Number: 138752
As per the current Public Health Order, full vaccination against COVID-19 is a condition of employment with PHSA as of October 26, 2021.
What we do
The Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) plans, manages and evaluates specialized health services with the BC health authorities to provide equitable and cost-effective health care for people throughout the province. Our values reflect our commitment to excellence and include: Respect people – Be compassionate – Dare to innovate – Cultivate partnerships – Serve with purpose.
Learn more about PHSA and our programs: jobs.phsa.ca/programs-and-services
PHSA is committed to employment equity, encouraging all qualified individuals to apply. We recognize that our ability to provide the best care for our diverse patient populations relies on a rich diversity of skills, knowledge, background and experience, and value a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment.
Reconciliation is an ongoing process and a shared responsibility for all of us. The BC Governments’ unanimous passage of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act was a significant step forward in this journey—one that all health authorities are expected to support as we work in cooperation with Indigenous Peoples to establish a clear and sustainable path to lasting reconciliation. True reconciliation will take time and ongoing commitment to work with Indigenous Peoples as they move toward self-determination. Guiding these efforts Crown agencies must remain focused on creating opportunities that implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Mandate.
ATTN: PHSA Employees:
To be considered as a PHSA employee (internal applicant) for this position, you must apply online via your internal profile at http://internaljobs.phsa.ca
Please note the internal job posting will no longer be accessible after the expiry date of January 12, 2023. If the internal job posting has expired, please contact the Internal Jobs Help Desk and advise that you would like to be considered as a late internal applicant for this position. Please do not apply for the external job posting.
If you have not registered your internal profile, a password is required to log in for the first time. To obtain your password, please contact the Internal Jobs Help Desk at 604-875-7264 or 1-855-875-7264. Please note regular business hours are Monday – Friday (excluding stats), 8:30am to 4:30pm. For inquiries outside of regular business hours, please email the Internal Jobs Help Desk at [email protected] and a Help Desk Representative will contact you the next business day.
