Senior Epidemiologist - (223212)

Island Health; Victoria; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health authority in Canada seeks a Senior Epidemiologist. The ideal candidate will provide epidemiologic leadership and consultation for public health assessments, focusing on disease prevention and health intervention effectiveness. With at least seven years of public health experience, candidates should demonstrate advanced statistical skills and proficiency in R and Python. Strong communication and leadership abilities are essential. This position is critical for influencing public health policies and programs, promoting health equity and sustainability in community health initiatives.

Qualifications

• At least seven (7) years' recent experience in public health surveillance and epidemiology.
• Demonstrates advanced skills with statistical and automation tools.
• Experience in training and mentoring teams of data analysts and epidemiologists.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert consultation in epidemiology and public health assessment.
• Develop and improve public health program evaluations.
• Communicate critical information to diverse stakeholders.

Skills

Epidemiologic skills

Data analysis

Leadership

R and Python proficiency

Communication skills

Education

Masters' Degree or PhD in Epidemiology or related discipline

Tools

R

Python

SAS

Stata

Power BI

Job description

In accordance with the Vision, Purpose, and Values, and strategic direction of the Vancouver Island Health Authority (Island Health), patient and staff safety is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone; as such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.

Reporting to the Director, Population and Public Health (PPH) Assessment, this individual serves as a technically skilled epidemiologist providing expert epidemiologic, scientific and technical leadership and knowledge translation in population and public health assessment, including public health surveillance and epidemiologic investigations, program monitoring and evaluation. The duties described in this position encompass advanced professional analytical work and assisting in strengthening the team's capabilities in the surveillance, detection and prevention of diseases and injuries and community health assessments as well as assessing the effectiveness of public health programs and interventions. Work involves a high degree of independence, innovation, automation, quality and efficiency conducting Population and Public Health Assessment projects and requests related to epidemiology, surveillance, evaluation and knowledge translation.

In collaboration and consultation with other program areas within Population and Public Health, the Senior Epidemiologist will have an advisory role related to regional public health analytical matters. This position provides consultation based on expert knowledge and experience to a broad range of partners including population and public health programs, Medical Health Officers (MHOs), Emergency Management, Planning, Data & Analytics, other regional health authorities, provincial partners and health professionals. This individual will disseminate critical information through electronic bulletins, prepared reports, dashboards, presentations, publications and media communications. This individual uses their professional expertise, coupled with strong leadership, systematic problem-solving and effective communication skills to influence, persuade and negotiate consensus with external groups including provincial and national partners. Working within a highly complex system, decisions made by this individual can impact departmental performance, goals and objectives.

This work is framed within Island Health's Strategic Framework pillars:

• Improve the experience, quality, and outcomes for the people we serve
• Improve the experience, health, and well-being of all people at Island Health
• Increase value and ensure sustainability
• Improve population health and wellness and reduce health inequities

QUALIFICATIONS: Education, Training And Experience

Masters' Degree or PhD in Epidemiology or related discipline. Preference is given to candidates with at least seven (7) years' recent, related experience in public health surveillance and epidemiology with methodological skills in data analysis, reporting and evidence of strong leadership and communication skills.

Skills And Abilities

• Exhibits advanced epidemiologic, statistical and automation skills.
• Demonstrates advanced skills with R and other analytical tools such as Python, SAS and/or Stata.
• Intermediate to advanced data visualization skills with a preference for Power BI or R Shiny.
• Familiarity and experience working with large health administrative data sets such as NACRS, DAD, etc.
• Trains, coaches and mentors a team of data analysts, epidemiologists and/or other assigned individuals to achieve their full potential by creating an environment that promotes continuous learning and professional growth.
• Strong knowledge of surveillance systems and data to aid in planning, managing the development, and utilizing information from surveillance systems, in consultation with stakeholders, to underpin innovative solutions and knowledge for public health action across disciplines and organizations.
• Bring epidemiologic perspective to the development and analysis of public health policies.
• Utilizes project management skills for planning and executing specific project and program work.
• Applies superior communication skills to collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, provide advice, guidance and education consistent with good public health practice.
• Maintains current knowledge of new developments, trends and research in public health surveillance and epidemiology, and develops innovative solutions borrowing methods from other disciplines, such as data science, where appropriate.
• Experience with various software applications to coordinate analysts and epidemiologists who develop databases and conduct statistical analyses.
• Develop surveillance, evaluation and epidemiological communications, including reports, dashboards and summaries for internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated leadership, problem-solving and communication skills and ability to foster a motivating, encouraging and respectful work environment.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.