Data Surveillance Information Officer

The Methodist Church in Britain; Swindon; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hybrid working

Time off in lieu for out-of-hours work

Annual pay award adjustments

Job summary

UK Health Security Agency is seeking a data-focused professional to maintain surveillance databases, check data quality and produce routine and ad hoc reports for the Health Protection Teams in the region.

You will work with clinicians and microbiologists, oversee data flows, and ensure timely reporting to partners. The role requires numerate qualifications and ongoing statistical development, with hybrid working and some regional travel.

Qualifications

• Degree in a numerate discipline, computer science or IT equivalent, showing core statistical skills, or experience in a statistical or data science field
• Continuing professional development in statistics or data science

Responsibilities

• Maintain surveillance systems and databases for communicable diseases and environmental hazards, ensuring data is valid and accurately recorded
• Ensure notification data flows and reporting meet the surveillance reporting calendar, including timely reports to the Health Protection Team and partners
• Process and maintain records under agreed protocols and SOPs, and check electronically submitted data
• Audit data and information systems, resolve data quality issues and contribute to surveillance quality improvements
• Review and evaluate routine and ad hoc surveillance reports for accuracy and timeliness
• Support outbreak investigations and epidemiological research through reports, graphs and outbreak curves
• Support clinical staff with infectious disease cases and outbreaks, including follow-up, coordination of results and data analysis
• Maintain statutory returns and reporting systems, including CIMS
• Provide CIMS training to staff and act as CIMS Information Champion for the region
• Liaise with surveillance partners, including Field Services, Local Authorities, microbiologists, TB nurses and regional and national teams
• Prepare SOPs with clinical staff based on national guidance
• Represent the surveillance function at meetings and working groups and complete the actions arising

Skills

Data analysis

Data management

Statistics

Excellent communication

Epidemiology basics

Education

Numerate degree / Computer science / IT

Tools

Microsoft Access

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

R

Stata

SAS

SPSS

GIS

Job description

The post sits within UKHSA's regional Health Protection Teams, supporting surveillance and information management. The postholder maintains surveillance databases and statutory returns, checks notification data and produces routine and ad hoc reports. Working with Consultants in Health Protection and microbiologists, the role is hybrid, with at least 60% of hours at an office, and may involve out-of-hours work. Applicants need a numerate degree or equivalent statistical experience, plus baseline security checks.

What the job involves

• Maintain surveillance systems and databases for communicable diseases and environmental hazards, ensuring data is valid and accurately recorded
• Ensure notification data flows and reporting meet the surveillance reporting calendar, including timely reports to the Health Protection Team and partners
• Process and maintain records under agreed protocols and SOPs, and check electronically submitted data
• Audit data and information systems, resolve data quality issues and contribute to surveillance quality improvements
• Review and evaluate routine and ad hoc surveillance reports for accuracy and timeliness
• Support outbreak investigations and epidemiological research through reports, graphs and outbreak curves
• Support clinical staff with infectious disease cases and outbreaks, including follow-up, coordination of results and data analysis
• Maintain statutory returns and reporting systems, including CIMS
• Provide CIMS training to staff and act as CIMS Information Champion for the region
• Liaise with surveillance partners, including Field Services, Local Authorities, microbiologists, TB nurses and regional and national teams
• Prepare SOPs with clinical staff based on national guidance
• Represent the surveillance function at meetings and working groups and complete the actions arising

Qualifications

• Degree in a numerate discipline, computer science or IT equivalent, showing core statistical skills, or experience in a statistical or data science field
• Continuing professional development in statistics or data science

Experience

• Experience in data management, analysis, reporting and presentation

Skills & knowledge

• High proficiency with computers, databases, Microsoft Access, Word and Excel
• Excellent communication and negotiation with health, IT and academic professionals
• Strong organisation, prioritising workloads and meeting tight deadlines
• Sound numeracy, attention to detail and problem-solving
• Understanding of basic epidemiological terms and methods
• Flexible and willing to travel for meetings and training across the region and occasionally beyond

Checks & eligibility

• Basic disclosure and barring (DBS) check
• Baseline Personnel Security Standard
• Counter-Terrorist Check for the Chilton post, normally with three years' UK residence

Other

• Commitment to confidentiality, training and continuous professional development

Nice to have

• Use of spreadsheets, databases, GIS or statistical software such as R, Stata, SAS or SPSS
• Experience maintaining code in R or another statistical package
• Experience in communicable disease surveillance
• Use of Refman or equivalent, and Microsoft PowerPoint
• Experience applying for research governance approval

What’s offered

• Flexible working under a hybrid working model
• Time off in lieu for out-of-hours working
• Pay increases through the annual pay award
• Starting salary principles for level transfers or promotion from government, NHS or local authority posts
• Starting salary may reflect an existing higher salary if evidenced