What does an epidemiologist do?
An epidemiologist specializes in studying and investigating different diseases, including its causes and effects on the human body. Their responsibilities revolve around gathering samples and subjecting them to various experiments and scientific procedures, traveling to different areas to conduct observations and in-depth analysis, maintaining extensive records, coordinating with other scientists and experts, and summarizing findings into reports and presentations. Furthermore, as an epidemiologist, it is vital to utilize expertise by creating policies for a healthy and safe environment for everyone.
Epidemiologist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real epidemiologist resumes:
- Manage chronic diseases including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hypothyroidism, hyperlipidemia, etc.
- Used SQL to query health encounters collect and maintain in a data warehouse.
- Analyze health outcomes using risk ratios, regression models and descriptive statistics in SPSS.
- Experience with SQL programming, web applications with query, analytics and dashboard features.
- Recruit NYC businesses to join the program and train worksite coordinators on approaches to developing an onsite wellness program.
- Serve as the lead chronic disease epidemiologist supporting the state tumor registry and the breast and cervical cancer early detection program.
- Conduct face-to-face interviews with sample patients.
- Participate in recruitment efforts of sample patients.
- Used SAS extensively for analyzing communicable disease data.
- Gain experience in diagnosing and treating people with upper respiratory illnesses, musculoskeletal conditions, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia.
- Design, develop and produce statistical reports to describe school-wide assessment-base surveys of childhood and adult immunization levels using SAS.
- Establish data sharing and instigates communication with various agencies, programs and organizations to disseminate the information gather by the registry.
- Develop and introduce standardised case definitions for communicable diseases in Caribbean countries.
Epidemiologist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 8% of Epidemiologists are proficient in SAS, Data Analysis, and Statistical Analysis. They’re also known for soft skills such as Math and statistical skills, Communication skills, and Manual dexterity.
We break down the percentage of Epidemiologists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- SAS, 8%
Designed, developed and produced statistical reports to describe school-wide assessment-based surveys of childhood and adult immunization levels using SAS.
- Data Analysis, 7%
Conduct investigations of disease outbreaks including questionnaire and database development, case/control interviews, data analysis, and results reporting.
- Statistical Analysis, 7%
Calculate descriptive and inferential statistics for collected data by selecting appropriate bio-statistical analysis methodologies.
- Patients, 5%
Participated in recruitment efforts of sampled patients.
- Infectious Disease, 4%
Coordinated and conducted epidemiological investigations for a variety of programs including Infectious Disease Program in collaboration with central office epidemiologists.
- Data Management, 4%
Provided data management, analysis, and evaluation for state-based chronic disease databases.
"sas," "data analysis," and "statistical analysis" are among the most common skills that epidemiologists use at work. You can find even more epidemiologist responsibilities below, including:
Math and statistical skills. The most essential soft skill for an epidemiologist to carry out their responsibilities is math and statistical skills. This skill is important for the role because "epidemiologists may need to analyze data when reviewing results from studies and surveys." Additionally, an epidemiologist resume shows how their duties depend on math and statistical skills: "identified and analyzed health data to develop relevant investigations, partner with audiovisual division resulting in several research papers and projects. "
Communication skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling epidemiologist duties is communication skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "epidemiologists use speaking and writing skills to inform officials and the public, such as for community outreach activities to explain health risks." According to an epidemiologist resume, here's how epidemiologists can utilize communication skills in their job responsibilities: "program evaluation; communication with colleagues, stakeholders, and the public; technical assistance and competence; and disease investigations. "
The three companies that hire the most epidemiologists are:
- Texas23 epidemiologists jobs
- CDC Foundation22 epidemiologists jobs
- Healthcare Staffing Solutions Inc9 epidemiologists jobs
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Compare different epidemiologists
Epidemiologist vs. Communicable disease specialist
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an epidemiologist are more likely to require skills like "sas," "data analysis," "statistical analysis," and "infectious disease." On the other hand, a job as a communicable disease specialist requires skills like "public health," "patient education," "county health," and "community health." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
The education levels that communicable disease specialists earn slightly differ from epidemiologists. In particular, communicable disease specialists are 25.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an epidemiologist. Additionally, they're 7.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Epidemiologist vs. Infectious disease epidemiology director
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, epidemiologist responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "sas," "data analysis," "statistical analysis," and "patients." Meanwhile, an infectious disease epidemiology director has duties that require skills in areas such as "development programs," "collaborative relationships," "business development," and "advisory boards." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Infectious disease epidemiology directors earn lower levels of education than epidemiologists in general. They're 28.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 7.6% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Epidemiologist vs. Chronic disease epidemiologist
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, epidemiologists are more likely to have skills like "statistical analysis," "infectious disease," "statistical software," and "spss." But a chronic disease epidemiologist is more likely to have skills like "public health," "health problems," "data collection," and "chronic disease management."
When it comes to education, chronic disease epidemiologists tend to earn lower degree levels compared to epidemiologists. In fact, they're 17.7% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 4.5% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Epidemiologist vs. Public health epidemiologist
Updated January 8, 2025
