A Day in the Life of an Epidemiologist

There is no field quite like epidemiology. As the study of disease's origins, causes, and distribution, this is a unique practice that calls for exceptional collaboration and a wealth of data gathered from a myriad of sources.

On the front lines of this never-ending effort? Talented, passionate, and in-demand public health professionals known as epidemiologists.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) gives this role a punchier nickname of disease detectives. It's a title epidemiologists have clearly earned, as they are always on the hunt for new clues about outbreaks that threaten the health and well-being of entire communities.

There is no simple way to describe the nuanced role of the modern epidemiologist or the types of tasks that play into their day-to-day work. Still, it is important to understand what this role might involve before entering the field. After all, epidemiology is a uniquely challenging practice that calls for exceptional passion and a comprehensive skill set. Not just anybody is up to the task, but those with the right skills and mentality can discover a truly rewarding career path.

Not sure what to expect from life as an epidemiologist? To provide an insider's look at the field, we have compiled a detailed epidemiologist job description that delves into the nuances of this role and its exciting evolution.

Decoding Outbreaks and Designing Interventions: Inside the Work of an Epidemiologist

Epidemiology is a complex field that calls for a far-reaching skill set and the willingness to consistently be exposed to unfamiliar concepts, settings, and situations. At its most basic level concerning an epidemiologist job description, modern epidemiology involves two priorities:

• Outbreak investigations. Through ongoing surveillance, epidemiologists can reveal the early signs of outbreaks and set to work determining the prevalence of diseases along with social determinants and other factors that contribute to symptoms and suffering. A blend of clinical trials and observational studies may be required to grant epidemiologists a more comprehensive understanding of diseases and their impacts on various populations. Health records and even environmental information may play heavily into these analyses.
  
  
• Designing interventions. Once epidemiologists have developed a thorough understanding of the origins of specific diseases (and their transmission), these professionals can move into intervention mode. This means assessing a range of options from medical solutions (such as medications or vaccination) to behavioral changes, and often, policy intervention. This effort also encompasses communication and education, as interventions can only be effective if the public is aware of the risks and understands how they can do their part to slow the spread of disease.

A Typical Day (Understanding There's No "Typical" Day)

No two days look exactly alike for epidemiologists, who continually face new challenges and opportunities. This dynamic setup is exactly what attracts many epidemiologists to the field in the first place. Difficulties are to be expected, but the novelty and challenge of this role keeps passionate professionals engaged.

Despite all this, they are expected to handle many routine tasks concerning the ‘typical’ epidemiologist job description. This allows them to maintain efficient workflows while seamlessly handling the many moving parts that this complex role naturally entails.

To clarify this role and reveal its scope, we have highlighted a few 'typical' tasks performed by epidemiologists. Keep in mind there really is no such thing as typical in this field!

Desk Work

Epidemiologists have a strong reputation for their work in the field, partially sparked by media depictions such as the iconic role of Kate Winslet in the prescient film Contagion.

While epidemiologists may visit healthcare facilities or step into the community to perform duties such as contact tracing, a significant share of their day-to-day tasks actually take place within dedicated offices. Here, epidemiologists have expanded access to statistical software, scientific literature, and other critical resources.

Jenny Galbraith from the North Dakota Department of Health Disease Control explains in a COVID-era news story that many epidemiologists do not actually work in labs or even in the field. "My job is at a computer and a phone," she states. Galbraith adds that lab work would be primarily conducted by medical lab scientists, although epidemiologists work closely with these lab-based professionals.

• Data analysis. Among the most important and most consistent epidemiologist responsibilities? Collecting and synthesizing vast amounts of health data, which can shape their understanding of threats and reveal the most impactful interventions. The CDC's Field Epidemiology Manual highlights the importance of "translating and transforming data," adding that this information can be used to construct epidemic curves and other valuable visualization tools.
  
  
• Writing and communication. From reports to research proposals and even manuscripts, epidemiologists spend a considerable amount of time conveying their insights via the written word. They may need to adjust their language to reflect different types of audiences. For instance, the appropriate writing style for a peer-reviewed journal may look a lot different than materials developed to alert community members to emerging health risks. Communication also encompasses data visualization, which provides a more nuanced understanding of disease transmission and other trends.

Collaboration and Meetings

Epidemiology is a highly collaborative field. Epidemiologists and other public health professionals are more effective when they have access to the most up-to-date findings. However, this is only possible when strong relationships and collaborative processes are in place.

Meetings can be expected, with some epidemiologists gathering with other professionals several times per day. Conducted in-person or via videoconferencing, these meetings allow epidemiologists to share relevant insights with key stakeholders or even plan interventions or health promotion initiatives.

Data visualization tools can enhance epidemiological communication, making it easier for a variety of professionals to understand important trends and patterns. Constructive criticism may play into these meetings, thereby strengthening research credibility.

Epidemiology Field Work

Epidemiology field work attracts a lot of attention and is certainly important as this is how epidemiologists gather critical data about disease sources, risk factors, and transmission routes. Simply put, this information is often not available until epidemiologists actively seek out information from numerous resources. Critical components of modern field work include:

• Outbreak investigations. The majority of epidemiology field work involves outbreak investigations, which call for interviews, assessments, and data collection. As the CDC explains, this process involves confirming the diagnosis, determining outbreak existence, identifying (and counting) cases, and revealing the viability of various control measures. During these investigations, epidemiologists may draw on surveillance data from various public health agencies, along with hospital records, environmental data, school records, and responses to special surveys.
  
  
• Meetings with policymakers. In addition to performing outbreak investigations, epidemiologists working in the field may collaborate closely with policymakers. This begins with sharing key findings, along with details about contributing factors such as health disparities. From there, epidemiologists can provide insights into potential policy interventions, revealing the anticipated impact of various policy approaches and offering ongoing support amid difficult decision-making processes.

Diverse Roles of Epidemiologists

While epidemiology is often associated with the public sector and field work, it is a far more diverse field than most people realize.

Epidemiologists work for various organizations and take on many roles, always committed to providing the best insights and developing effective responses to dangerous outbreaks. To show the vast and growing scope of this field, we have highlighted several important epidemiology roles and employers below.

Government Agencies

If there is one stereotype about epidemiology that largely rings true, it is the perception that these professionals are typically public sector employees. This is not always the case, but there is no denying that government positions are abundant in this field.

Data compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reveals that government agencies are by far the largest employers of modern epidemiologists. With these roles, they may work in the field, in healthcare settings, in offices, or may need to navigate multiple work settings.

• Department of Health and Human Services. HHS aims to "[improve] the health, safety, and well-being of America." Naturally, this is a top employer of epidemiologists within the federal government's executive branch. Multiple HHS agencies conduct epidemiology studies and field work, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), along with the previously mentioned CDC.
  
  
• Local and state health departments. Many field epidemiology roles exist at the local or state level, where a nuanced understanding of the community can help epidemiologists contextualize and respond to outbreaks. Such an understanding may include its demographics and primary health concerns. 
  
  
• International opportunities. Many of the agencies highlighted above have maintained strong international partnerships and may even have offices across the globe that allow them to perform disease surveillance and respond more effectively to health crises. Epidemiology roles may also involve international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) or the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

Research Institutions

While epidemiology field work is crucial, this field also depends on peer-reviewed research to shape our understanding of emerging outbreaks. To that end, many epidemiologists work as research scientists and are often employed by tier-1 research universities.

Exciting research opportunities are also available to graduate-level epidemiology students, who can contribute to a quickly growing body of research as they help shape the field.

Private Sector

While BLS data indicates that most epidemiologists hold public roles, there are plenty of private sector opportunities worth examining. These roles can facilitate career advancement and often involve generous compensation.

Epidemiologists employed by pharmaceutical companies bring a powerful, research-backed perspective to drug development and pharmacovigilance, which is the monitoring of drug effects. They play an important role in determining how effective various drugs are in treating diverse patient populations. These professionals may also be involved in the complex processes surrounding regulatory submissions. This means preparing clinical study reports, risk management plans, and more.

Some epidemiologists are also employed by nonprofit organizations, where their work primarily centers around public health advocacy. Consulting roles are also available to epidemiologists, allowing them to provide in-depth insights and feedback while working closely with various businesses, nonprofits, or government agencies. To illustrate, consulting firm J.S. Held provides epidemiology services such as exposure assessments, risk mitigation, and even regulatory compliance consulting.

Make a Difference As an Epidemiologist

Do you feel drawn to the epidemiology roles described above? The versatility of the field should be abundantly clear by now, but there are a few qualities that unite epidemiology jobs — and one of the most consistent is the need for a master's degree.