CDC/CSTE Applied Epidemiology Competencies

 

Online Survey -New Survey

All three Tiers of the CDC/CSTE Applied Epidemiology Competencies are NOW available (please click here for a complete list of the draft competencies). We are now asking for input on Tier 1 and Tier 3 competencies in addition for input on revisions made to Tier 2. You may participate in the survey by clicking the appropriate link below.

All epidemiologists are encouraged to participate, regardless of experience. In addition, we encourage epidemiologists to provide input on Tiers they feel qualified to comment on. For example, Tier 3 epidemiologists should also provide feedback on Tier 1 and Tier 2. In addition, Tier 2 epidemiologists should provide feedback on Tier 1.


Background for Competency Development

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) along with CSTE recognize the critical role of epidemiologists at all levels of public health practice. In January 2004, CDC and CSTE hosted a workforce summit to address workforce issues affecting public health epidemiologists. Leaders in applied epidemiology were invited to discuss the key workforce issues in this field. Participants strongly supported the need for establishing core competencies for applied epidemiologists. The stated purposes for developing these competencies are 1) to more clearly define the field of applied epidemiology and provide guidance to practitioners regarding expected competencies; 2) inform supervisory and personnel systems in governmental public health agencies of expected competencies for staff hiring and aid establishing civil service job titles and in the development of “career ladders” for advancement for epidemiologists; and 3) inform educators and academic institutions of the expected competencies. This competency development process has since been identified as a priority for CDC and CSTE.

CDC and CSTE have convened an expert panel to define competencies for applied epidemiology for local, state and federal public health epidemiologists. This panel has representation from state and local health agencies, academia, private industry, and from across CDC. The panel, convened by Denise Koo, MD, MPH from the Office of Workforce and Career Development at CDC and Matt Boulton, MD, MPH from the School of Public Health at the University of Michigan, first met October 2004. Gus Birkhead, MD, MPH of the New York State Department of Health and Kathleen Miner, Ph.D., MPH, C.H.E.S. from the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University co-chair the expert panel.

Intended Users

The applied epidemiology competency set was developed in three sections, with each section focused on epidemiologists with a different level of experience and responsibilities:

Tier 1 – Frontline epidemiologist

  • Newly graduated Master’s degree with minimal experience, but from a Master’s program with a focus on epidemiology and/or analysis and assessment, or
  • Bachelor’s or other professional degree such as nursing without formal, academic epidemiology training and at least two years experience performing epidemiologic work.

Tier 2 – Mid-level (may supervise a unit or serve as a project leader or surveillance coordinator):

  • Master’s degree in epidemiology or public health with two to five years work experience in a public health agency
  • Doctoral level epidemiologists
  • Other non-epidemiology professional degree (e.g., MD, DVM, PhD in a social science field) with specific epidemiology training (e.g. MPH degree, CDC Epidemic Intelligence Service program)

Tier 3 – Senior level

  • 3a: supervisor and/or manager, director of a major section, program or bureau in a public health agency.
  • 3b: senior scientist/subject area expert in an epidemiologic focus area

These competencies reflect those needed for the effective practice of epidemiology in the governmental public health setting and are centered on the eight skill domains competency framework developed by the Council on Linkages Between Academia and Public Health Practice:

  1. Assessment and Analysis Skills
  2. Basic Public Health Sciences Skills
  3. Communication Skills
  4. Community Dimensions of Practice Skills
  5. Cultural Competency Skills
  6. Financial and Operational Planning and Management Skills
  7. Leadership and Systems Thinking Skills
  8. Policy Development Skills

For more information regarding the CDC/CSTE Applied Epidemiology Competencies, please visit www.cste.org. Questions and comments may be directed to competencies@cste.org.