ACCOUNTANT



Michigan Public Health Institute

Position Description

Title: Cancer Geospatial Epidemiologist -Surveillance

Employee Name: TBD

Supervisor: Georgetta Alverson

Purpose: This position provides epidemiological and statistical support to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Division for Vital Records and Health Statistics Cancer and Birth Defects Surveillance Section (CBDSS) and the Division for Environmental Health Toxicology and Response Section (EHTRS) on a range of matters concerning cancer surveillance. Responsibilities include assisting in the assessment of and response to cancer cluster concerns, development of statistical data and publications on cancer incidence and mortality and aiding in assessing and addressing issues with cancer registry quality and quality improvement. This position acts as a point of contact for local and state health officials and the general public who have questions about cancer incidence, prevalence or perceived clusters; and responds by monitoring disease incidence in specific geographic areas including assessing relative incidence and trends over time. This position may also assist other Bureau of Epidemiology staff in responding to perceived clusters of other chronic diseases and birth outcomes. They will provide epidemiological support to related activities as required by the DEH for surveillance and epidemiological studies and analysis of data, reports and presentations. Duties also include assisting with the development of publications on cancer incidence and mortality in response to specific needs and to inform the general public.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Cancer Cluster Investigations & Cancer Incidence Surveillance (40% Time):

Under the guidance of the lead statistician for the cancer registry and following established protocols, receives and assesses cancer cluster queries. Works closely with the Division for Environmental Health and local health officials on public concerns, assessment of potential clusters and on coordinated communications with concerned parties. Upon request of DEH, conducts cancer incidence analyses for cancer types and specific geographic areas identified for monitoring due to environmental concerns. Consults as needed with DEH staff to create maps, graphics, Power Points and other materials to describe results.

2. Cancer Registry Data Analysis/Preparation of Statistical Publications (20% Time):

Assists with generation of cancer incidence and mortality statistics and trends at the state and local level. Prepares data for presentation and publication while providing descriptive written assessments of key and relevant factors and trends within the data, especially those of high public health importance. Develops and follows standard protocols for processing and analysis of data and generation of reports. Consults as needed with DEH regarding environmental factors.

3. Outreach and Engagement with Partners; Other Duties (40% time):

As needed, assists with response to perceived clusters of adverse birth outcomes or other chronic diseases. This would entail working with subject-matter experts in the Bureau of Epidemiology to design and conduct a spatial analysis of the outcomes of concern and assisting in interpretation and write-up of the results.

Provides input as appropriate to cancer registry staff regarding the quality of cancer registry data including the geospatial coding of the case data.

Meets regularly with other members of the Michigan Cancer Surveillance Program and collaborating staff in other areas of MDHHS Bureau of Epidemiology and Population Health, including DEH and Cancer Prevention and Control Section for planning, exchange of technical methods, and participation in common epidemiologic tasks within MDHHS.

Communicates in person and in writing as appropriate with local public health officials, other government agency staff at the state and federal level and the general public on cancer concerns, related issues and analytical findings. Maintains documentation of all such communications.

Maintains a positive, strong, credible, professional, and interpersonal relationship with all parties relevant to MDHHS and MPHI projects and represent the best interests of MDHHS and MPHI at all times.

Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications/Requirements:

Education: Possession of a master’s degree in epidemiology or biostatistics with a minimum of 12 combined graduate-level term hours or 8 semester hours in epidemiology and biostatistics courses, and at least one course that included the use of statistical analytic software. Training on GIS or spatial analysis preferred. Course work in cancer epidemiology and environmental health is beneficial.

Experience: One to two years of work experience as an epidemiologist in a public health or cancer setting preferred but not required. Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Important Skills and Characteristics: Demonstrated epidemiologic, data management and analytic skills and attention to detail. Ability to perform and conduct epidemiological studies; knowledge of standard software such as MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, ACCESS, FoxPro, ArcGIS and SAS. Specifically:

a) Knowledge of the principals and methods of epidemiology, biostatistics and public health surveillance.

b) Knowledge of the methods used to organize, analyze, and maintain large and complex data sets.

c) Knowledge of the principals of birth defects and cancer surveillance preferred.

d) Ability to use statistical, geospatial, and database software for the management of epidemiologic data; SAS and ArcGIS preferred.

e) Knowledge of state and local public health and clinical delivery systems and programs.

f) Ability to organize complex data and maintain quality control, privacy and security of the data.

g) Ability to analyze surveillance data and other information for the purposes of epidemiologic investigations.

h) Ability to create maps of areas of cancer and birth defects incidence analysis.

i) Ability to develop new contacts and maintain favorable relations with existing partners.

j) Ability to analyze and interpret complex scientific articles relating to cancer and birth defects epidemiology.

k) Willingness to remain abreast of new discoveries and trends related to environmental and other risk factors for cancer.

l) Ability to maintain records, prepare technical reports, records, and papers related to the work.

m) Ability to communicate with others verbally and in writing.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements: Standard office environment and physical requirements typical of an office position.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE WORK OF OTHERS:

Occasional Leaders: Occasional leaders lead some projects and serve as a team member on others.

IMPACT ON PROJECTS, SERVICES AND OPERATIONS: The Michigan Cancer Surveillance Program (MCSP) within the Cancer and Birth Defects Surveillance Section (CBDSS) in the Division for Vital Records and Health Statistics is responsible for conducting population-based cancer surveillance for the state and for conducting cancer surveillance, preparing and releasing statistical reports and assisting with research into the causes and control of cancer in Michigan. This position is key to CBDSS’ interaction with and response to partners and the public regarding cancer in Michigan; and in particular, to timely and appropriate joint response of CBDSS and DEH to concerns about cancer and environmental hazards.

REQUIRED COMMUNICATION

Contact Person/Group Frequency Purpose

CBDSS Manager Daily Supervision

CBDSS Lead Statistician Daily Lead Worker

MDHHS Cancer Section Staff Daily Collaboration

MDHHS Environmental Health Staff Daily/Weekly Collaboration

MDHHS Cancer Prevention and Control Monthly Collaboration

Cancer Stakeholders Periodically Collaboration

Community representatives/public health professionals Periodically Tech Assist.

“For purposes of employment standards, this classification is “Exempt” from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.”

Signature______________________________________ Date_________________

Employee Signature

Signature_______________________________________ Date_________________

CBDSS Supervisor or Program Director

Signature_______________________________________ Date_________________

DEH Supervisor or Program Director

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To Be Completed By Human Resources

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Salary Grade _______________

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Salary Code ______________________

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