Workforce

CDC/CSTE Applied Epidemiology Competencies

CDC/CSTE Applied Epidemiology Competencies and the AEC toolkit- Click here to view.

CSTE and CDC developed the Competencies for Applied Epidemiologists in Governmental Public Health Agencies (Applied Epidemiology Competencies, or AECs for short) to improve the practice of epidemiology within the public health system. The goal of the AECs is to improve the practice of epidemiology among public health agencies by creating a comprehensive list of competencies that:

• Defines the discipline of applied epidemiology; and

• Describes what skills four different levels of practicing epidemiologists working in government public health agencies should have to accomplish required tasks.
The AECs were developed within the framework of the Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals—a product of the Council on Linkages Between Academia and Public Health Practice—and thus are consistent with the larger field of public health practice. The AECs resulted from 2 years of highly collaborative work by an expert panel representing local, state, and federal public health agencies and schools and graduate programs of public health. Epidemiologists at all levels of public health practice from throughout the country and from academia provided substantial input into the AECs.

The target audience and intended uses of the AEC are as follows:

• Practitioners: to assess current skills, create career development plans, and plan specific training;

• Employers: to create career ladders for employees, develop position descriptions and job qualifications, develop training plans for employees, determine compensation, and assess epidemiologic capacity of the organization;

• Educators: to design programs that train the next generation of epidemiologists to meet the needs of public health agencies, incorporate critical elements of epidemiologic practice into existing coursework, and provide continuing education to the current workforce.

The document defines competencies for four tiers of practicing epidemiologists categorized on the basis of level of responsibility, experience, and education: entry-level or basic, mid-level, supervisory, and senior scientist/researcher. The expert panel intended that all persons practicing applied epidemiology gain minimal competency in all of the defined skill domains within the tier that most closely matches their level of responsibility. However, every applied epidemiologist is not expected to be equally competent in all areas. Different public health programs that use applied epidemiology may emphasize different competency areas, and a government agency’s responsibilities, needs, and resources may require persons in individual epidemiologic positions to focus on particular competencies.

CDC and CSTE seek to generate awareness throughout the public health system of the availability of this new tool. We encourage individual epidemiologists, public health agencies, and academic centers to use the competencies and to move with us toward a common goal of improving epidemiologic practice. Toolkit items to assist epidemiologists and health agencies in utilizing the competencies will be available soon.
In addition to the CSTE website, we will publish information about the competencies, including tools and documentation to support their use, on the CDC website at (www.cdc.gov/od/owcd/cdd/aec/).

Defining and Measuring Public Health Epidemiology Capacity

Defining and measuring public health epidemiology capacity (DEC) has been identified as a priority for the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE). To begin defining epidemiology capacity, CSTE along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) convened an expert panel comprised of individuals representing epidemiologists and experts in workforce capacity. One of the goals of the expert panel was to create a model for evaluating the number of epidemiologists in each program area (e.g., Chronic, Maternal and Child Health, Environmental, Occupational epidemiology, etc.) that are needed in health departments of varying sizes and health needs The panel made recommendations for developing an epidemiology capacity measurement instrument and implementing the instrument at the state and local levels.
In working to develop a conceptual model for epidemiology capacity, the Expert Panel reviewed existing workforce capacity models. They also worked to identify what data points are needed from the Epidemiology Capacity Assessment (ECA) to inform the model in order to define epidemiology capacity. Epidemiology capacity remains a high priority for CSTE, and along with CDC, CSTE will continue the efforts of refining and measuring capacity.

Epidemiology Capacity Assessment (ECA)

CSTE spearheaded a national epidemiology workforce assessment effort in 1995 and compiled a guide to aid states in self-assessment of epidemiologic capacity. This was followed in 1997 with a survey piloted in 10 states and in November 2001 by the administration of the Epidemiology Capacity Assessment (ECA). The ECA was the first national assessment of core epidemiology capacity in state and territorial health departments and a benchmark prior to distribution of approximately $1 billion in federal funding annually to states for emergency preparedness. CSTE administered two additional ECA in 2004 and 2006.

CSTE is currently updating the ECA and will administer the next iteration in Spring 2009. Efforts are currently focused on defining and measuring epidemiology workforce capacity in novel ways and the 2009 ECA will incorporate some of the suggestions developed by a panel of capacity and epidemiology experts who participated in a related project, Defining and Measuring Public Health Epidemiology Capacity (DEC). Recommendations from the DEC will inform the 2009 ECA and will attempt to objectively capture new information regarding workforce capacity.

Training & Resources

New State Epidemiologist Planning Guide
The State Epidemiologist position is difficult, complex, demanding, and challenging—and one of the most rewarding and memorable experiences a public health professional can have. A State Epidemiologist fills many roles: leader, manager, health expert, disease investigator, emergency responder, public figure, and convener. Most State Epidemiologists arrive in the job with experience in some of these roles. Few can anticipate everything needed to succeed and be effective. The health department director, the governor, the state board of health, employees within the state health agency, local health officials, and the citizens of your state all will share the State Epidemiologists success. The opportunity to work with dedicated public health professionals, shape the public health agenda, and impact the health of your state is a tremendous responsibility and potentially a great joy.

The New State Epidemiologist’s First Days: A Planning Guide was conceived and developed by CSTE as a result of discussions with new State Epidemiologists who thought it would be useful for new State Epidemiologists to help them traverse some of the unfamiliar parts of their new job. With input from experienced State Epidemiologists, CSTE developed this manual to help the newly appointed State Epidemiologist set priorities in the first 30–120 days. The intent of this guide is to assist new State Epidemiologists refine the skills and develop relationships to be successful from the onset of their tenure.