Epidemiologists

disease problem investigative design information method parasite procedure public health program biology

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 In Demand
  • World Health Organization HealthMapper

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint Hot Technology In Demand

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

Get started on your career:

Find Training
Apprenticeship.gov

Job Outlook

Bright
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.
Local Salary Info
Find Jobs
See more details at O*NET OnLine about epidemiologists.