Data Abstractor

DC Department of Human Resources; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) in Washington, DC seeks an epidemiology analyst to support data collection, surveillance, and analysis for the DC-VDRS program. The role involves reviewing death data, coding, and writing narratives in line with CDC NVDRS protocols.

You'll collaborate with epidemiologists and program coordinators, ensure data quality, and enter data from vital records and reports into the NVDRS system, while adhering to ethical guidelines and security requirements.

Qualifications

• Specialized experience in surveillance data collection and analysis.
• Experience aligning data collection with CDC NVDRS protocols and DC-VDRS requirements.

Responsibilities

• Performs data quality monitoring and evaluates database processes for compliance with specifications.
• Plans and completes projects requiring modification of quality assurance methods.
• Enter electronically transferred and abstracted data from vital records, medical examiner, and police reports into the NVDRS data entry system.
• Follow NVDRS protocols and track discrepancies across data sources for each incident.
• Maintain confidentiality of personal identifiable information and comply with ethical guidelines.

Skills

Epidemiology

Data entry

Quality assurance

NVDRS protocols

Tools

NVDRS data entry system

Job description

Job Summary

This position is located in the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME). The mission of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) is to investigate all deaths in the District of Columbia that occur as the result of violence (injury), as well as those that occur unexpectedly, without medical attention, in custody or pose a threat to public health. OCME provides forensic services to government agencies and health care providers and citizens in the Washington DC metropolitan area to ensure that justice is served and to improve the health and safety of the public. The incumbent is responsible for carrying out a range of investigation and analytical epidemiologic activities to include data collection, surveillance, and analysis resulting in the promotion of public safety and health. Reviews death certificates, medical examiner autopsy and toxicology reports; abstracts and codes the data following complex Center for Disease Control (CDD) and DC Violent Death Reporting System (DC-VDRS) protocols; write precise narratives that describe the victims, suspects, circumstances, and weapons; and enters these data into the CDC NVDRS database. The incumbent works with epidemiologists and Program Coordinators for DC-VDRS to further program work within CDC grant requirements.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Performs administrative and technical work concerned with monitoring data quality and reviews and evaluates database processes for compliance with contractual specifications and requirements.
• Plans and completes individual projects or portions of larger projects requiring modification of standard quality assurance methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Responsible for entering electronically transferred and abstracted data from vital records, medical examiner, and police case reports into the NVDRS data entry system, following the DC program protocols (after successfully completing training).
• Incumbent is responsible for following complex national NVDRS protocols and tracking systems for documenting and resolving discrepancies between (among) conflicting information across data sources for each incident.
• Incumbent complies with all ethical guidelines for scientific and human subjects research, governmental legislation and regulations and maintains the confidentiality of the personal identifiable information.

Qualifications And Education

Specialized Experience: Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, one (1) year of specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATION

None

WORKING CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENT

Most of the work is performed in an office setting where there is adequate lighting, ventilation, and heating. Work is typically performed on-site; however, occasional travel may be included.

Other Significant Factors

• Tour of Duty: 8:30am - 5:00pm, Monday - Friday
• Pay Plan, Series and Grade: CS-0301-11
• Promotion Potential: None
• Type of Appointment: Career Service Term Appt
• Collective Bargaining Unit (Non-Union): This position is not in a collective bargaining unit, or This position is in the collective bargaining unit represented by AFGE Local 2978 and you may be required to pay an agency service fee (dues) through direct payroll deduction.
• Position Suitability: In accordance with Chapter 4 of the D.C. personnel regulations, Suitability, this position has been deemed Security-Sensitive. Accordingly, the incumbent will be subject to pre-employment checks (criminal background checks, consumer credit checks, traffic record checks, and drug screenings, if applicable) as a condition of employment, and will be subject to periodic criminal background checks for the duration of your tenure.
• EEO Statement: The District of Columbia Government does not discriminate or retaliate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender identity and expression, national origin, family responsibilities, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, homeless status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, participation in a legally protected activity, parental status, matriculation, personal appearance, credit information, status as a victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, sexual offense, or stalking, military service, or other non-merit factor.