Epidemiology and Information Scientist

Job description

Job responsibilities

Specific duties of the role may vary depending on the site and teams/functions.

Outbreak support and epidemiological investigation

1. Where appropriate, undertake specific steps of an epidemiological study under direction including to design and develop questionnaires e.g. using Select Survey, design and administer outbreak databases, prepare descriptive epidemiology, contribute to the production of outbreak reports, investigate exceedances and interview cases and controls.2. Undertake complex analytical tasks and use common statistical, database and mapping software and tools to support analysis such as producing tables, graphs, maps etc. and developing advanced queries.

Surveillance and data analysis

3. Maintain and improve databases for surveillance of infectious diseases, test functionality of new surveillance systems, validate the quality of surveillance data including use of automated routines and through audit and produce and update Standard Operating Procedures.4. Have knowledge of, apply and interpret basic statistical tests, conduct statistical analyses of surveillance data, produce reports and outputs using common statistical/database/mapping tools such as Stata, R, ArcGIS, network analysis, SQL, etc, respond to routine and more complex data requests and produce routine surveillance reports, including basic descriptive analysis and interpretation of results.5. Contribute to surveillance activities through assuring data quality, undertaking complex data analyses and seeking to improve and enhance databases and systems.6. Produce routine surveillance reports that include basic descriptive analyses and interpretation.7. Undertake more complex analytical tasks using common software packages to support analysis such as advanced querying, data validation and pivot tables.

Research

8. Support research through contribution to scientific papers and projects on public health surveillance, outbreaks and infectious disease control as well as through designing study databases and sharing findings at conferences and meetings.9. Design a study database, and develop queries to analyse data, create automated reports, import/export data from a variety of sources, participate in the interpretation and analysis of research findings and the application of findings to practice and present internally or to local partners, present work/posters at scientific meetings and conferences.

Management and Leadership

10. To act as role model adhering to team professional standards, actively engage in meetings, identify potential problems and seek to resolve and undertake a lead role for a specific topic or function area, on behalf of the service as a whole.11. Support the development of policies and protocols for use within the team/department.12. Contribute to specified quality improvement and governance initiatives as agreed.13. Support/lead projects and support defined areas of work as agreed with line manager.14. Learn and maintain up-to-date scientific knowledge regarding epidemiology, surveillance and relevant public health interventions and contribute to the supervision and training colleagues and others as requested.15. Contribute to teaching/training programmes and activities (including to the development of teaching material and courses) on surveillance, epidemiology information science, data management, information governance and quality and support ongoing training activities within the team and Service.

Quality and governance

16. Ensure that data transfer, extraction and storage of data are appropriate and identify data quality issues through audit and ensure analysis and outputs are clearly presented in an appropriate context.

PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

• The post holder will identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with their line manager through appraisal / individual development plan. Attending internal / external training events.
• To participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e. safeguarding, fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training.

OTHER DUTIES

• The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by the Directorate.
• The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organisation.

COMMUNICATION AND KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

The post holder will build and maintain effective working relationships and communicate regularly with a wide range of individuals, clinical and non-clinical, internal and external to UKHSA. This may include:

• Field Services staff
• Health Protection Ops Group staff
• Science Group staff including: Radiation, Chemicals, Climate and Environmental Hazards
• ICT and Digital Staff
• UKHSA national response centre
• Laboratory staff i.e. Microbiologists and Laboratory Managers
• Local Authority staff
• NHS England staff
• NHS Trust staff
• Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID)
• Other professional scientific, information and administrative staff in a number of organisations
• Community staff
• Agencies contributing to environmental hazards surveillance
• Public
• Academia

Essential Criteria

• Degree or equivalent in public health or information science or equivalent experience
• Masters qualification in relevant discipline (e.g. public health/information science) or equivalent experience
• Knowledge of epidemiological investigation
• Knowledge or experience of basic statistical tests, performing descriptive epidemiology with strong analytical skills, excellent accuracy and attention to detail
• Knowledge of principles and practice of surveillance, including data(base) management, data transmission, data security, data quality, data analysis including descriptive statistics and graphics and data reporting
• Evidence of using computer and database software packages for epidemiological and statistical analysis
• Understand information governance including data protection and confidentiality requirements
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Proficient in a common statistical/database/mapping tool such as Stata, R, GIS, network analysis, SQL, etc.
• Able to maintain effective relationships with co-workers and key stakeholders
• Good organisational, prioritisation and time management skills and able to work under own initiative
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, both in terms of day-to-day working practices, but also in relation to management systems

Desirable Criteria

• Training or experience in validating data including automated routines
• Knowledge of health and social care environment, and an awareness of surveillance and epidemiology and information flows in the NHS and allied services
• Line management experience including appraising staff and managing performance
• Proven scientific report writing skills

Selection Process Details

Stage 1: Application & Sift

Competency-based

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 12 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

• Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
• 750 word Statement of Suitability.

This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

The Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.

Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:

• Meets all essential criteria
• Meets some essential criteria
• Meets no essential criteria

The pile 'meets all essential criteria' will proceed to shortlisting.

Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on the lead criteria of:

• Knowledge of epidemiological investigation
• Evidence of using computer and database software packages for epidemiological and statistical analysis

Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications/large amount of successful candidates.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment.Please do not exceed 750 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

Competency based

You will be invited to a single remote interview.

Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview

There will be a 5-10 minute presentation, details will be confirmed to those invited to interview.

Interviews are planned for 11th and 12th June; these dates are subject to change.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Selection Process

Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.

Eligibility Criteria

External: Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).

Location

This role is being offered as hybrid working based at our office in Bristol. We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, averaged over a month) working at our Bristol office.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Personnel Security Standard.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

Essential

• Application form and statement of suitability

Essential Criteria

Essential

• Questions on knowledge, experience, skills and abilities will be tested at interview

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Bristol Office

Bristol

BS1 6EH

Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)