Communicable Disease Intern

About the Department

Position Duties

• Receive training in communicable disease case investigations and professionalism Attend onboarding sessions and complete required trainings on reportable diseases, data systems, investigation protocols, and workplace conduct Demonstrate understanding of investigation workflows by shadowing experienced epidemiologists and asking relevant questions Review case definitions, clinical symptoms, and laboratory criteria for commonly reported diseases Apply training to conduct case interviews, data entry, and perform professionally in the work environment Conduct supervised case interviews Accurately enter case details into the communicable disease surveillance system within assigned timelines Interpret basic laboratory and clinical data to complete case classification Communicate updates and findings to supervisors Demonstrate professionalism, respect, and maturity in the workplace, communicate gaps and needs to supervisors, and have fun. Participate in communicable disease outbreak investigations Support the outbreak response team by helping conduct interviews, contact tracing, and data collection Assist with data entry and organization of outbreak-related information using standardized tools Attend outbreak coordination meetings and provide verbal or written updates as requested Follow appropriate safety protocols and maintain confidentiality in high-stress or sensitive environments Conduct an epidemiological study (optional and encouraged) Define a clear research question based on local communicable disease trends or surveillance gaps Extract and clean relevant data sets from surveillance systems with guidance from staff epidemiologists Analyze findings using basic epidemiological methods (e.g., trend analysis, descriptive statistics) Present results to internal stakeholders through a summary report and/or presentation, highlighting implications for public health action Submit an abstract to a conference and/or submit for publication under the supervision and support of Adams County Health Department and your university or college. HIPAA Statement Maintain sensitive & confidential client information according to the HIPAA policy confidentiality requirements.
• Receive training in communicable disease case investigations and professionalism Attend onboarding sessions and complete required trainings on reportable diseases, data systems, investigation protocols, and workplace conduct Demonstrate understanding of investigation workflows by shadowing experienced epidemiologists and asking relevant questions Review case definitions, clinical symptoms, and laboratory criteria for commonly reported diseases
• Attend onboarding sessions and complete required trainings on reportable diseases, data systems, investigation protocols, and workplace conduct
• Demonstrate understanding of investigation workflows by shadowing experienced epidemiologists and asking relevant questions
• Review case definitions, clinical symptoms, and laboratory criteria for commonly reported diseases
• Apply training to conduct case interviews, data entry, and perform professionally in the work environment Conduct supervised case interviews Accurately enter case details into the communicable disease surveillance system within assigned timelines Interpret basic laboratory and clinical data to complete case classification Communicate updates and findings to supervisors Demonstrate professionalism, respect, and maturity in the workplace, communicate gaps and needs to supervisors, and have fun.
• Conduct supervised case interviews
• Accurately enter case details into the communicable disease surveillance system within assigned timelines
• Interpret basic laboratory and clinical data to complete case classification
• Communicate updates and findings to supervisors
• Demonstrate professionalism, respect, and maturity in the workplace, communicate gaps and needs to supervisors, and have fun.
• Participate in communicable disease outbreak investigations Support the outbreak response team by helping conduct interviews, contact tracing, and data collection Assist with data entry and organization of outbreak-related information using standardized tools Attend outbreak coordination meetings and provide verbal or written updates as requested Follow appropriate safety protocols and maintain confidentiality in high-stress or sensitive environments
• Support the outbreak response team by helping conduct interviews, contact tracing, and data collection
• Assist with data entry and organization of outbreak-related information using standardized tools
• Attend outbreak coordination meetings and provide verbal or written updates as requested
• Follow appropriate safety protocols and maintain confidentiality in high-stress or sensitive environments
• Conduct an epidemiological study (optional and encouraged) Define a clear research question based on local communicable disease trends or surveillance gaps Extract and clean relevant data sets from surveillance systems with guidance from staff epidemiologists Analyze findings using basic epidemiological methods (e.g., trend analysis, descriptive statistics) Present results to internal stakeholders through a summary report and/or presentation, highlighting implications for public health action Submit an abstract to a conference and/or submit for publication under the supervision and support of Adams County Health Department and your university or college.
• Define a clear research question based on local communicable disease trends or surveillance gaps
• Extract and clean relevant data sets from surveillance systems with guidance from staff epidemiologists
• Analyze findings using basic epidemiological methods (e.g., trend analysis, descriptive statistics)
• Present results to internal stakeholders through a summary report and/or presentation, highlighting implications for public health action
• Submit an abstract to a conference and/or submit for publication under the supervision and support of Adams County Health Department and your university or college.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education and Experience: Completed at least one year of graduate education in Public Health Epidemiology, Environmental Health, or a related field. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Basic knowledge of public health issues and concepts. Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail. Conduct yourself with professionalism and curiosity. Ability to: Understand the needs of diverse populations within Adams County Work with Epidemiology supervision and guidelines Provide helpful, accurate, clear, simple, and direct information Exhibit excellent working etiquette. Develop and maintains effective working relationships with all staff and partners. Equipment used: Standard office equipment includes but is not limited to, laptop computers, tablets and associated hardware and software, telephones, copiers/scanners, and audiovisual equipment. Preferred Qualifications: Bilingual in English and Spanish or other primary language spoken in Adams County.
• Completed at least one year of graduate education in Public Health Epidemiology, Environmental Health, or a related field.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Basic knowledge of public health issues and concepts.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Conduct yourself with professionalism and curiosity.
• Understand the needs of diverse populations within Adams County
• Work with Epidemiology supervision and guidelines
• Provide helpful, accurate, clear, simple, and direct information
• Exhibit excellent working etiquette.
• Develop and maintains effective working relationships with all staff and partners.
• Standard office equipment includes but is not limited to, laptop computers, tablets and associated hardware and software, telephones, copiers/scanners, and audiovisual equipment.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish or other primary language spoken in Adams County.

Benefits

• Employees in this benefit class are eligible based on the number of hours worked and the duration of employment. Employees who work within the parameters below are eligible to participate in the 457b deferred compensation plan: Duration - 3 months or less Weekly Hours - Any Break in Service Requirement - 13 weeks Lactation friendly certified workplace OR Duration - Up to 12 months Weekly Hours - 29 or less hours Break in Service Requirement - 13 weeks Employees who work within the parameters below are eligible to participate in the the medical plan for the employee and child(ren) only as well as the 457b deferred compensation plan: Duration - At least 3 months and up to 12 months Weekly Hours - 30 or more Break in Service Requirement - 13 weeks Lactation friendly certified workplace
• Duration - 3 months or less Weekly Hours - Any Break in Service Requirement - 13 weeks Lactation friendly certified workplace
• Weekly Hours - Any Break in Service Requirement - 13 weeks Lactation friendly certified workplace
• Break in Service Requirement - 13 weeks Lactation friendly certified workplace
• Lactation friendly certified workplace
• Duration - Up to 12 months Weekly Hours - 29 or less hours Break in Service Requirement - 13 weeks
• Weekly Hours - 29 or less hours Break in Service Requirement - 13 weeks
• Break in Service Requirement - 13 weeks
• Duration - At least 3 months and up to 12 months Weekly Hours - 30 or more Break in Service Requirement - 13 weeks Lactation friendly certified workplace
• Weekly Hours - 30 or more Break in Service Requirement - 13 weeks Lactation friendly certified workplace

Supplemental Questions