Case Investigator

NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene; New York (NY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is seeking a Public Health Epidemiologist to investigate cases of reportable diseases, conduct interviews, and support outbreak response within the Division of Disease Control.

Reporting to the Disease Investigation Unit’s Team Lead, you will conduct patient interviews, contact tracing, and health record abstractions, providing education to patients and the public. NYC residency is preferred for this role.

Qualifications

• Master's in public health or epidemiology with 12 graduate credits in epidemiology (or a related field)
• Bachelor's degree plus two years of health surveillance/data collection experience

Responsibilities

• Conduct communicable disease case investigations
• Perform medical chart reviews and data abstractions
• Conduct patient and provider interviews
• Triage telephone inquiries
• Provide patient and public health education
• Identify and follow up with contacts of cases
• Assist with outbreak investigations and data analysis

Skills

Epidemiology knowledge

Interviewing skills

Data analysis

Communication skills

Education

Master's in public health or epidemiology

Bachelor's degree + 2 years experience

Job description

ONLY PERMANENT EMPLOYEES IN THE TITLE AND THOSE THAT ARE REACHABLE ON THE PUBLIC HEALTH EPIDEMIOLOGIST CIVIL SERVICE LIST ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY.

Division/Program Summary

The Division of Disease Control’s mission is to safeguard the health of New Yorkers through identification, surveillance, treatment, control, and prevention of infectious diseases, which is achieved through varied and interrelated endeavors of its seven Bureaus. The Bureau of Communicable Disease (BCD) monitors and analyzes trends in disease data and provides consultation to the medical community and the public on the recognition, prevention, and control of communicable diseases. BCD is responsible for the surveillance, prevention, and control of over 70 infectious diseases including foodborne, enteric, waterborne, respiratory (including COVID-19), zoonotic, and vector-borne diseases.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Disease Investigation Unit’s Team Lead and working with a team of Public Health Epidemiologists, City Research Scientists and Clerical Associates, you will investigate cases of reportable diseases and outbreaks of infectious or novel conditions. You will conduct patient/provider interviews, contact tracing and health record abstractions. You will provide patient and public education. You will triage telephone inquiries.

Job Duties And Responsibilities

• Conduct communicable disease case investigations
• Perform medical chart reviews and abstractions
• Conduct patient and provider telephone interviews
• Triage incoming telephone inquiries
• Provide patient and public education
• Identify and follow up with contacts of people with communicable diseases
• Provide public health recommendations to patients and contacts
• Conduct outbreak investigations
• Perform data collection and analysis
• Evaluate risk factors or high-risk transmission settings
• Assist with communicable disease prevention initiatives
• Participate in the DOHMH's Surveillance and Epidemiology Emergency Response Section's preparedness and response activities

Why You Should Work For Us

• Benefits: City employees are entitled to unmatched benefits such as:
• a premium-free health insurance plan that saves employees over $10K annually, per a 2024 assessment.
• additional health, fitness, and financial benefits may be available based on the position’s associated union/benefit fund.
• a public sector defined benefit pension plan with steady monthly payments in retirement.
• a tax-deferred savings program and
• a robust Worksite Wellness Program that offers resources and opportunities to keep you healthy while serving New Yorkers.
• Work From Home Policy: Depending on your position, you may be able to work up to two days during the week from home.
• Job Security - you could enjoy more job security compared to private sector employment and be able to contribute to making NYC a healthy place to live and work.

Established in 1805, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health Department) is the oldest and largest health department in the U.S., dedicated to protecting and improving the health of NYC. Our mission is to safeguard the health of every resident and cultivate a city where everyone, regardless of age, background, or location, can achieve their optimal health. We provide a wide array of programs and services focused on food and nutrition, anti-tobacco support, chronic disease prevention, HIV/AIDS treatment, family and child health, environmental health, mental health, and social justice initiatives. As the primary population health strategist and policy authority for NYC, with a rich history of public health initiatives and scientific advancements, from addressing the 1822 yellow fever outbreak to the COVID-19 pandemic, we serve as a global leader in public health innovation and expertise.

Come join us and help to continue our efforts in making a difference in the lives of all New Yorkers!

Commitment To Equity

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

The NYC Health Department is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation to all individuals. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, contact Sye-Eun Ahn, Director of the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, at [e-mail] or 347-396-6549.

PUBLIC HEALTH EPIDEMIOLOGIST - 51181

Minimum Qualifications

• A master’s degree in public health or epidemiology from an accredited college or university with a minimum of 12 graduate credits in epidemiology; or
• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university plus two years of full-time paid experience as a health professional in a position which requires data collection and the reading and interpretation of medical charts and medical information in support of surveillance and epidemiologic investigations.

Preferred Skills

• Knowledge of communicable disease surveillance and epidemiologic investigations - Experience with structured interviews, medical terminology and conducting electronic health record reviews - Comfortable discussing sensitive topics including sexual activity and drug use - Experience working with healthcare providers - Strong organizational and time management skills - Proficient with word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software

55a Program

This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55-a Program.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

Residency Requirement

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

Additional Information

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.