Epidemiologists
Epidemiologist, Infection Control Practitioner (ICP), Nurse Epidemiologist, Research Epidemiologist
What they do:
Investigate and describe the determinants and distribution of disease, disability, or health outcomes. May develop the means for prevention and control.
On the job, you would:
- Communicate research findings on various types of diseases to health practitioners, policy makers, and the public.
- Oversee public health programs, including statistical analysis, health care planning, surveillance systems, and public health improvement.
- Investigate diseases or parasites to determine cause and risk factors, progress, life cycle, or mode of transmission.
Knowledge
Math and Science
- arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
- biology
Arts and Humanities
- English language
Health
- medicine and dentistry
Engineering and Technology
- computers and electronics
Skills
Basic Skills
- reading work related information
- thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem
Problem Solving
- noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
People and Technology Systems
- thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one
- figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it
Abilities
Verbal
- listen and understand what people say
- read and understand what is written
Ideas and Logic
- make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
- notice when problems happen
Math
- choose the right type of math to solve a problem
- add, subtract, multiply, or divide
Visual Understanding
- see hidden patterns
Personality
People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
- Analytical Thinking
- Integrity
- Attention to Detail
- Initiative
- Dependability
- Cooperation
Technology
You might use software like this on the job:
Analytical or scientific software
- StataCorp Stata
- World Health Organization HealthMapper
Presentation software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
Geographic information system
- Esri ArcGIS
- Geographic information system GIS software
Education
Education: (rated 5 of 5)
master's degree or
post-doctoral training
usually needed
post-doctoral training
usually needed
Job Outlook
Bright
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.
Explore More
- Clinical Nurse Specialists
- Emergency Medicine Physicians
- Geneticists
- Medical Scientists
- Preventive Medicine Physicians
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See more details at O*NET OnLine about epidemiologists.