EPI UPDATE

Please print out this material and share with epidemiology staff, county health department directors, administrators, medical directors, nursing directors, environmental health directors and others with an interest in information of this type. Thank you.

The Bureau of Epidemiology is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for consultation at our main number (SunCom 205-4401 or 850/245-4401) PLEASE NOTE: Consultation after 5 p.m. & on weekends is intended for emergencies.

The Department of Health has a home on the World Wide Web at http://www.doh.state.fl.us

For information on diseases and conditions of public health importance go to MyFlorida.com, click on Health and Human Services, then Consumers--Diseases and Conditions.

1. CALL FOR APPLICANTS FOR: THE FLORIDA EPIDEMIC INTELLIGENCE SERVICE (Florida EIS)

 

 

The Florida EIS program was created by Emergency Order #01-300 and signed by Governor Jeb Bush on October 11, 2001, as part of the state’s response to terrorism. This program offers both one and two-year, post-graduate applied epidemiology training for health professionals under the direction of the Bureau of Epidemiology. The Bureau will recruit and train epidemiologists to assist county health departments in identifying and resolving disease outbreaks and to become leaders in the field of public health. The long-term goal of this program is to increase the capacity of the Department of Health to respond to new challenges in disease control and prevention.

The Bureau of Epidemiology will provide salary and didactic training and assignees will be matched with qualifying county health departments to spend their time working along with trained epidemiologists and public health professionals. There will be 6 openings for graduates of MPH programs and others who demonstrate similar skills and backgrounds. This program will provide a practical field epidemiology training program for successfully matched candidates. This program is modeled on the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) EIS program and the California EIS program. The Bureau of Epidemiology has a long history of training CDC EIS officers who have gone on to hold senior positions in public health and other areas.

THE APPLICATION PROCESS

Your First Step…

To Joining the Florida Epidemic Intelligence Service

 

Health professionals who meet one of the following qualifications and have a strong interest in applied epidemiology are eligible to apply to the Florida EIS:

Persons with a master's or doctoral degree in a health related field (e.g. MPH, PhD, DrPH) having taken at least one course in epidemiology and one course in (bio)statistics during graduate/professional school or persons with significant experience working in public health.

Physicians (MDs, DOs) with at least one year of clinical training and an active medical license in the U.S. (U.S. citizens or permanent residents).

Doctoral-degree recipients (PhDs, DrPHs, or equivalent) in health-related fields such as epidemiology, biostatistics, and the social behavioral, and nutritional sciences.

Nurses, dentists, and PharmDs, with a Master of Public Health (MPH) or equivalent degree and an active license in the U.S. (U.S. citizens or permanent residents).

Veterinarians with a Master of Public Health (MPH) or equivalent degree or demonstrated public health experience or course work, and an active license in the U.S. (U.S. citizens or permanent residents).

All the items listed below must be submitted to the Florida EIS Program:

1. CURRICULUM VITAE: One copy.
    
2. REFERENCES: Three references must be provided, with complete contact telephone numbers – one must be from a faculty member, supervisor, or other individual who is familiar with your achievements and future aspirations and can speak to your personal qualities and professional attributes, plus two additional references.
    
3. PERSONAL STATEMENT: One copy. A narrative, no longer than two pages, which addresses the following questions:

• What are your career plans after graduating from the Florida EIS Program? Why?

• How will the Florida EIS Program help you fulfill these plans?

• How will the Florida EIS Program complement your previous training and experience?

• Is there any aspect of public health that is particularly interesting to you? Why?

• Is this application for one year or two year program?

4. TRANSCRIPTS: Official transcripts from the school from which you have received your highest degree and for any school in which you received public health training (i.e. MPH, MSPH, DrPH, PhD). Certified photocopies are acceptable. These transcripts must be mailed directly to the Florida EIS Program at the address listed on the back page. For Foreign Schools: If transcripts are not issued by an institution, other proof of degree completion must be submitted and either transcript or proof of degree must be translated into English.
    
5. PROFESSIONAL LICENSE: Photocopy of a current unrestricted license.

The application deadline for the Florida EIS is February 1, 2002. The applicant is responsible for ensuring that all required items are submitted by the deadline. (Exceptions for item 4 will be granted based on written request due to the short application cycle for year 2002 applicants—address requests to the address below. Transcripts must be received prior to acceptance.)

Mail you application package to:

Florida Department of Health
4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin #A-12
Prather Building, Room 320E (HSDE)
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1720
Attn: Florida EIS Program/Dana Knox

INTERVIEWS:

Applications will be reviewed by a committee to determine whether eligibility requirements are met and a need for applied epidemiology training is demonstrated. After this review, personal interviews may be requested by the Florida EIS Program. Applicants will be informed by letter and, if invited for interviews, must travel to Tallahassee at their own expense to participate in a day-long series of interviews to assess 1) interpersonal and communication skills, 2) a commitment to applied epidemiology and public health practice, and 3) possible assignments of interest. Interviews will be conducted by February 22, 2002. All selected EIS assignees will be invited to attend a position match day at DOH expense during which time actual assignments for the program are made. Assignments must be at least 50 miles from the applicant’s current residence. The Florida EIS assignment begins on March 4, 2002 with a one-week orientation in Tallahassee. Following this orientation, assignees will report to their assigned counties. A mandatory 2-week training program at Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia will take place for all assignees from April 29 to May 10, 2002. Additional training will take place at 6 month intervals (total of 2 training sessions per year). This schedule will be distributed during orientation.

All applicants receive equal consideration without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or any other non-merit factors in accordance with Department of Health policies.

If you would like additional information regarding the Florida EIS Program, please contact Ms. Dana Knox or Dr. Steven Wiersma at (850) 245-4401 or via e-mail to dana_knox@doh.state.fl.us.

The Florida EIS web site is located at: http://www9.myflorida.com/disease_ctrl/epi/FLEIS/fleis.htm.