Find out everything you need to know about becoming an Epidemiologist.

Job Title – Epidemiologist

Description

An Epidemiologist are assigned responsibilities involving the surveillance, investigation, and evaluation of communicable or chronic diseases, injuries or conditions, and assists in the planning and implementation of epidemiological programs to prevent and control diseases, injuries, or conditions.

Typical Job Activities

Oversees public health programs, including statistical analysis, health care planning, surveillance systems, and public health improvement
Investigates diseases or parasites to determine cause and risk factors, progress, life cycle, or mode of transmission
Plans and directs studies to investigate human or animal disease, preventive methods, and treatments for disease
Plans, administers and evaluates health safety standards and programs to improve public health, conferring with health department, industry personnel, physicians and others
Provides expertise in the design, management and evaluation of study protocols and health status questionnaires, sample selection and analysis
Conducts research to develop methodologies, instrumentation and procedures for medical application, analysing data and presenting findings
Consults with and advise physicians, educators, researchers, government health officials and others regarding medical applications of sciences, such as physics, biology, and chemistry
Supervises professional, technical and clerical personnel
Identifies and analyses public health issues related to foodborne parasitic diseases and their impact on public policies or scientific studies or surveys
Standardises drug dosages, methods of immunization, and procedures for manufacture of drugs and medicinal compounds
Prepares and analyses samples to study effects of drugs, gases, pesticides, or microorganisms on cell structure and tissue

Does this sound like a career for you? Browse jobs in the medical industry here.

Related Occupations

Biochemist
Biomedical engineer
Chemist
Immunologist
Microbiologist
Pathologist
Pharmacist

Educational Requirements

Senior Certificate with matric exemption
MBChB degree at a university

Compulsory subjects: Mathematics and Physical Science
Recommended subjects: Biology

What natural skills and/or aptitudes do I need for this occupation?

Have good judgement and decision-making ability
Be responsible
Be a conscientious and extremely accurate worker
Be interested in and have an aptitude for medical science
Concern for human welfare
Adhere strictly to the professional code of ethics
Be willing to work shifts and do after-hours emergency work
Good health
Manual dexterity
Normal colour vision

Browse Udemy for professional development courses in your industry.

Employment Opportunities

Low

Market Competitiveness

Low

Income Potential

Moderate

Self-Employment Opportunities

Moderate

International Employment Opportunities

High

Possible Employers

South African Institute for Medical Research
Hospitals
Private pathologists
Universities (medical and veterinary)
Research institutions
Industrial firms
Government departments
Blood transfusion services

Browse companies hiring now.

Relevant Contact Details

Health Professions Council of South Africa
www.hpcsa.co.za/

The Society of Medical Laboratory Technologists of South Africa
www.smltsa.org.za/

Career Progress and Path

Further studies in the specific field
Experience in specific field
Work performance
Do presentations, seminars, publish articles, etc.

Possible Career Paths

Specialist career in the specific field
Management positions in the specific field

Employment Stability

Moderately stable

Reasons to consider this career

I can be of service to people
The need is determined by new technology
I can work with technology
I am very interested in a specific subject or field