Epidemiologist

Under the general direction of the Director Health Services, IP&C and MDR and working within the Mission, Values and Management Philosophy of the WRHA and the WRHA Infection Prevention and Control Program, the Infection Prevention and Control Epidemiologist’s main responsibilities are to plan and carry out healthcare associated infection surveillance, investigation in collaboration with appropriate IP&C team members, and to provide expert technical advice to the WRHA Infection Prevention and Control Program for planning and implementation of preventative programs to prevent and control incidence of healthcare associated infections.

The Infection Prevention and Control Epidemiologist is responsible for:

1. Determining the acquisition, analysis and interpretation of data related to healthcare associated infections, risk factors and disease trends for the Winnipeg Health Region;
2. Development, maintenance and analysis of healthcare associated infection data within the Winnipeg Health Region;
3. Production of healthcare associated infection statistical reports, including surveillance data, targeted studies and outbreak reports;
4. Provision of technical expertise and consultative services in the use, maintenance, development and analysis of inter-sectoral data systems.
5. Responding quickly to emerging issues/outbreaks and analyzing trends and identifying critical issues; making critical decisions regarding control of outbreaks; working with a broad array of internal and external stakeholders; and advocating for stakeholders to take appropriate action to control infection, often in a situation of conflict.
6. Playing a key role in advising on and participating in the development, documentation, validation, and maintenance of healthcare associated infection databases for the Region. The position may work closely with other analysts/researchers in the statistical analysis of epidemiology and survey data. The position will conduct independent studies and will contribute to other related population health research.
7. Working closely with Infection Prevention and Control staff, Population and Public Health, and WRHA senior leadership, to discuss and understand their information needs, and convert those needs into analysis specifications, epidemiological study designs and/or project plans.
8. Building effective working relationships with management and researchers in a diverse range of agencies both within the WRHA and with other external partners.
9. Working in an IP&C team environment to analyze, interpret, and report epidemiological and other data. The incumbent will perform independent work on analyses involving descriptive and quantitative statistics, and will conduct complex statistical analysis and modeling.

• Two (2) years’ experience in an Infection Prevention and Control setting preferred.
• Two (2) years’ experience in Infection Prevention and Control surveillance preferred.
• Training and experience in Health Determinant surveillance.
• Experience in database design, data validation and data quality monitoring.
• Experience in application of descriptive and quantitative analyses methodology.
• Training and/or experience in population health research preferred.
• Experience with working in a multidisciplinary team.

• Undergraduate degree in relevant area.
• Master’s degree in the area of epidemiology, biostatistics or a related field.
• Additional courses in health sciences are an asset.

• Current registration in good standing with professional organization.

• Knowledge of research techniques, procedures and practices, and of research methods involving collecting, analyzing and reporting of factual data and statistics is required.
• Knowledge of information sources related to Infection Prevention and Control.
• Knowledge and ability in computer applications, particularly STATA, Epi info and a spreadsheet application.
• Ability to plan, conduct and report on statistical and research studies, to design surveys and questionnaires to optimize data gathering and analysis, and to instruct others in the techniques of collecting, interpreting and presenting/displaying information.
• Knowledge of epidemiological methodology, especially its application to healthcare associated infection surveillance.
• Knowledge of data visualization and knowledge translation.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, regarding technical and non-technical information, and to maintain good working relationships with the general public, division staff and others.
• Superior organizational skills.
• A self-directed approach to work.

• May be required to work for long periods of time at a computer.
• May be required to sit or stand for extended periods of time.
• May be required to answer phones for extended periods of time.
• The position requires much reading and the ability to hear people’s issues clearly.
• The work in this position is quite varied, with significant pressure due to deadlines.
• Valid driver’s license and vehicle suitable for use in performance of duties.