What Do Epidemiologists Do?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

Epidemiologists are

public health workers who investigate patterns and causes of disease and injury

. They seek to reduce the risk and occurrence of negative health outcomes through research, community education and health policy.

What kind of jobs do epidemiologists get?

  • Infection Control Epidemiologist. …
  • Pharmaceutical Epidemiologist. …
  • Medical Epidemiologist. …
  • Infectious Disease Epidemiologist. …
  • Field Epidemiologist. …
  • Molecular Epidemiologist. …
  • Veterinary Epidemiologist.

What do epidemiologists do on a daily basis?

Inside The Lab: A Day In The Life Of An Epidemiologist. Job duties of an epidemiologist typically revolve around

gathering medical and health information from the field, research or historical data, analyzing the data collected and presenting the findings

.

What are 10 duties of an epidemiologist?

  • Analyze data and find conclusions.
  • Create a plan of action for potential health crises.
  • Create reports detailing potential threats.
  • Give presentations to policy makers.
  • Communicate with policy makers on public health.
  • Manage multiple projects at once.

What are three things epidemiologists do?


Studies chronic diseases and researches possible solutions

. Studies virology, immunology, and microorganisms. Works to prevent transmission of diseases in large cities. Researches causes and possible treatments for cancer.

Are epidemiologists happy?


Epidemiologists rate their happiness above average

. At CareerExplorer, we conduct an ongoing survey with millions of people and ask them how satisfied they are with their careers. As it turns out, epidemiologists rate their career happiness 3.4 out of 5 stars which puts them in the top 38% of careers.

Do epidemiologists see patients?

Generally speaking,

epidemiologists do not perform physical examinations on patients

, determine diagnoses, or prescribe certain medications. Their energies are largely devoted to the “backstage” area of medicine, in terms of discovering the root cause of pathogens or why medicines work as they do.

Do epidemiologists make good money?

Epidemiologists or Medical Scientists made a median salary of $70,990 in 2019. The

best-paid 25 percent made $92,600

that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made $56,220.

Do epidemiologists work in hospitals?

Epidemiologists work in

offices and laboratories

, usually at health departments for state and local governments, in hospitals, and at colleges and universities.

Do epidemiologists wear lab coats?

Are sometimes exposed to diseases or infections. There is a low likelihood of moderate injury when safety procedures are followed. May share the same work space with other scientists and assistants.

Sometimes wear a special uniform such as a lab coat

.

How many years does it take to be an epidemiologist?

How Long Does It Take to Become an Epidemiologist? The timeline depends on your training and background, but with education requirements, it may take

seven years or more

. A bachelor’s degree typically requires four years, and a master’s degree requires between two and three years.

What knowledge do epidemiologists need?

Detail oriented. Epidemiologists must be precise and accurate in moving from observation and interview to conclusions.

Math and statistical skills

. Epidemiologists may need advanced statistical skills when designing and administering studies and surveys.

What makes a good epidemiologist?

The top personality traits of epidemiologists are

conscientiousness and extraversion

. Epidemiologists score highly on conscientiousness, which means that they are methodical, reliable, and generally plan out things in advance.

What questions do Epidemiologists ask?

  • Why are infection rates of this disease higher than normal?
  • Why are infection rates of this disease higher than normal in this location?
  • What is the potential for the disease to spread?

How do I start a career in epidemiology?

A career in epidemiology typically begins with a

bachelor’s degree in biology, medicine or other biological science

. Epidemiologists then typically obtain a master’s in public health focusing on biostatistics, behavioral studies, immunology, health services and administration and epidemiological methods.

Is epidemiology a good major?

There are many master’s and Ph. D. programs that grant degrees specifically in

epidemiology

. Melissa Nolan, an assistant professor of epidemiology at the University of South Carolina School of Public Health, says epidemiology is a great field for an adult learner to enter after pursuing another career.

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.