Occupation Details
Epidemiologists
Investigate and describe the determinants and distribution of disease, disability, or health outcomes. May develop the means for prevention and control.
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Interests
Investigative
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Social
Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Work Values
Achievement
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Recognition
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
Independence
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$66,120.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$88,410.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$161,220.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
320
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
450
+13 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
40
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.4%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
More School - Graduate or advanced degree
Experience Requirements
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Education Requirements
Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Training Details
Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include pharmacists, lawyers, astronomers, biologists, clergy, physician assistants, and veterinarians.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
State License and Certifications Requirements are not currently associated with this occupation.
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Science
Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
Biology
Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Sociology and Anthropology
Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.
Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Achievement/Effort
Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Analytical Thinking
Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Independence
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Leadership
Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
Persistence
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- Desktop computers
- Laptop computers
Technology
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC WONDER
- Cytel Egret
- Data mining software
- Data visualization software
- Database software
- Disease Mapping and Analysis Program DMAP
- ESRI ArcView
- Epicenter Software Epilog
- Esri ArcGIS
- Expert Health Data Programming Vitalnet
- GeoDa
- Geographic information system GIS software
- Meta-analysis with interactive explanations MIX
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- collect samples for testing
- use microscope
- take vital signs
- order medical laboratory tests
- prepare reports
- prepare technical reports or related documentation
- adhere to safety procedures
- oversee execution of organizational or program policies
- direct and coordinate scientific research or investigative studies
- direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
- direct implementation of new procedures, policies, or programs
- convert information into instructional program
- conduct training for personnel
- teach health personnel
- teach principles of medicine or laboratory procedures
- cultivate micro-organisms for study, testing, or medical preparations
- develop safety regulations
- write research or project grant proposals
- develop policies, procedures, methods, or standards
- develop plans for programs or projects
- develop new products based on scientific research results
- develop scientific or mathematical hypotheses, theories, or laws
- advise clients or customers
- provide expert testimony on research results
- advise other medical practitioners on disease-related issues
- recommend further study or action based on research data
- advise governmental or industrial personnel
- establish and maintain relationships with health specialists or civic groups
- plan surveys of specified group or area
- plan scientific research or investigative studies
- record test results, test procedures, or inspection data
- confer with research personnel
- use chemical testing or analysis procedures
- use clinical problem solving techniques
- apply drug information to patient treatment
- use government regulations
- use hazardous materials information
- use health or sanitation standards
- follow infectious materials procedures
- use interpersonal communication techniques
- use medical diagnostic techniques
- use medical lab techniques
- use oral or written communication techniques
- use research methodology procedures in health care
- use scientific research methodology
- use sanitation practices in health care settings
- use knowledge of medical terminology
- use biological research techniques
- use knowledge of investigation techniques
- use mathematical or statistical methods to identify or analyze problems
- use project management techniques
- use quantitative research methods
- use library or online Internet research techniques
- identify body response variations
- understand properties or composition of drugs
- understand drug products
- isolate and identify micro-organisms
- examine biological or other material specimens under microscope
- communicate technical information
- make presentations on health or medical issues
- present research papers or dissertations on health science issues
- make presentations
- confer with scientists
- explain complex mathematical information
- interpret medical laboratory test results
- interpret psychological test results
- interpret x-rays
- write scholarly or technical research papers
- write technical health or medical documents
- make decisions
- calculate medical diagnostic test results
- develop tables depicting data
- use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
- use relational database software
- use spreadsheet software
- use word processing or desktop publishing software
- develop or maintain databases
- collect scientific or technical data
- collect clinical data
- collect statistical data
- research health improvement issues
- research human or animal disease
- collect social or personal information
- analyze biological research, test, or analysis data
- analyze medical data
- analyze psychological testing data
- analyze scientific research data or investigative findings
- analyze chemical experimental, test, or analysis data or findings
- conduct clinical investigations
- conduct field research or investigative studies
- conduct laboratory research or experiments
- conduct medical laboratory tests
- conduct standardized qualitative laboratory analyses
- conduct standardized quantitative laboratory analyses
- analyze ecosystem data
- perform statistical analysis
- conduct analyses or tests of biological material samples
- test air to detect toxic gases
- test air quality, noise, temperature, or radiation
- conduct analyses or tests of organic compounds
- standardize drug dosages or methods of immunization
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- Oversee public health programs, including statistical analysis, health care planning, surveillance systems, and public health improvement.
- Plan and direct studies to investigate human or animal disease, preventive methods, and treatments for disease.
- Provide expertise in the design, management and evaluation of study protocols and health status questionnaires, sample selection, and analysis.
- Monitor and report incidents of infectious diseases to local and state health agencies.
- Investigate diseases or parasites to determine cause and risk factors, progress, life cycle, or mode of transmission.
- Communicate research findings on various types of diseases to health practitioners, policy makers, and the public.
- Plan, administer and evaluate health safety standards and programs to improve public health, conferring with health department, industry personnel, physicians, and others.
- Educate healthcare workers, patients, and the public about infectious and communicable diseases, including disease transmission and prevention.
- Conduct research to develop methodologies, instrumentation, and procedures for medical application, analyzing data and presenting findings.
- Identify and analyze public health issues related to foodborne parasitic diseases and their impact on public policies, scientific studies, or surveys.
- Supervise professional, technical, and clerical personnel.
- Standardize drug dosages, methods of immunization, and procedures for manufacture of drugs and medicinal compounds.
- Teach principles of medicine and medical and laboratory procedures to physicians, residents, students, and technicians.
- Consult with and advise physicians, educators, researchers, government health officials and others regarding medical applications of sciences, such as physics, biology, and chemistry.
- Prepare and analyze samples to study effects of drugs, gases, pesticides, or microorganisms on cell structure and tissue.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
Biological and medical scientists
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
Learn MoreCELLS alive!
CELLS alive! has captured with film and computer-enhanced images living cells and organisms for education and medical research. This is the place to watch cells in motion! A few of the animations illustrated include the basic cell-cell interactions that lead to antibody production, the stages of mitosis in an animal cell and the sequence of activities exhibited by cells.
Learn MoreColumbia University Summer Research Program for Science Teachers
The primary aim of the Program is to provide New York metropolitan area middle and high school science teachers with sustained hands-on experience in scientific research so they can better understand the practice of science, and better transmit to their students and fellow teachers a feeling for its practice. Each teacher spends two consecutive summers working as a laboratory research assistant under the supervision of a Columbia faculty mentor.
Learn MoreCornell University Summer College Program: Biological Research and Health Professions
<p>Biological research and the health professions are the hottest fields in science. From biotechnology to rediscovering ancient methods of healing and making brand-new medical breakthroughs you'll learn about different career options, hear what it takes to get the necessary training, and find out what everyday life is like as a researcher or doctor.</p>
Learn MoreInstitute of Medicine (IOM)
The nation turns to the Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the National Academies for science-based advice on matters of biomedical science, medicine, and health. The Institute provides unbiased, evidence-based, and authoritative information and advice concerning health and science policy to policy-makers, professionals, leaders in every sector of society, and the public at large.
Learn MoreLearning at the Marian Koshland Science Museum
The Marian Koshland Science Museum has identified unique, inquiry-based activities that can be used in the classrooms. They are related to its Global Warming and Infectious Disease exhibits that are designed for middle and high-school students and adhere to the National Academies' National Science Education Standards.
Learn MoreLearning at the Marian Koshland Science Museum Webquests
The Koshland Science Museum has created online webquest activities for students interested in learning more about issues presented in the exhibits of Global Warming and Genetic Disease.
Learn MoreProject E.R. (Environmental Rescue)
Ecosystems are changing rapidly, and plants and animals are becoming extinct at an alarming rate. Because humans depend on ecosystems for food, medicine, and other natural resources, it is time for you to rescue the environment. What can you do to protect the planet and the things that live on it? To find out join Project E.R. (environmental rescue).
Learn MoreSUNY New Paltz Summer Camp: Mad Science Secret Agent Lab
Mad Science has sparked imaginative learning with their unique brand of engaging and educational live programs and activities. Secret Agent Lab - delve into the mysteries of forensic science! Discover different methods of secret writing and break coded messages in a quest for treasure. Explore the world of optics and make your own camera obscura and kaleidoscope. Use chemistry to identify mysterious substances, and mix your own chemical reactions.
Learn MoreU.S. Environmental Protection Agency Teaching Center
This site is for educators who wish to teach about the environment. It offers background information on a variety of topics, lesson plans, and activities that work in and out of the classroom. You will also find information on workshops, conferences, grants, awards and a variety of other information that will assist you in your educational goals.
Learn MoreWhat is it Like Where You Live? Biomes and Ecosystems of the World
Scientists have different ways to describe regions of the world. Plants and animals that live near you don't necessarily live elsewhere. Explore terrestrial biomes like Temperate Deciduous Forests, the Deserts, the Grasslands, the Rainforests and more and Aquatic Ecosystems such as Ponds and Lakes, Rivers and Streams, Wetlands and more at this interactive site.
Learn More