CDC Surveillance Fellowship in the Division of Overdose Prevention

Organization
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Reference Code
CDC-NCIPC-2022-0192
How to Apply

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A complete application consists of:

  • An application
  • Transcripts – Click here for detailed information about acceptable transcripts
  • A current resume/CV, including academic history, employment history, relevant experiences, and publication list
  • One educational or professional recommendation. Your application will be considered incomplete, and will not be reviewed until one recommendation is submitted.

All documents must be in English or include an official English translation.

Application Deadline
7/1/2022 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone
Description

*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

CDC Office and Location: A fellowship opportunity is currently available in the Division of Overdose Prevention (DOP), Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch (ESB), Overdose Mortality Team of the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is one of the major operation components of the Department of Health and Human Services. CDC works to protect America from health, safety and security threats, both foreign and in the U.S. Whether diseases start at home or abroad, are chronic or acute, curable or preventable, human error or deliberate attack, CDC fights disease and supports communities and citizens to do the same.

Research Project: Joining DOP, the selected participant will be housed on the Overdose Mortality Team and will train in epidemiology and surveillance activities under CDC staff on the Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) program. OD2A in part works to improve the timeliness and completeness of fatal overdose data, and to ensure that data are used to inform overdose prevention activities.

For fatal overdoses, states are required to enter abstracted death certificate and coroner and medical examiner reports on unintentional or undetermined intent overdose deaths into the State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System (SUDORS), which leverages the web-based platform used for the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS). The SUDORS coding manual provides states with technical assistance on how to code drug overdose specific variables in the injury and death, circumstances, overdose, and toxicology tabs. States can submit coding questions to the Overdose Surveillance help desk email address which is monitored by the Overdose Mortality Team. States are required to submit comprehensive fatal overdose data to CDC twice a year. CDC analyzes and disseminates the data through data dashboards, MMWRs, and peer-reviewed publications. 

The fellow will have the opportunity to train in three or more of the following, depending on the specific skill set and interests of the selected candidate:

  • Organizing and responding to state technical assistance inquires for fatal drug overdoses, including documenting questions and responses provided through the OD Surveillance help desk. 
  • Conducting data quality assurance activities for fatal drug overdose, and assisting with updates to the SUDORS coding manual.
  • Conducting manual reviews of narrative fields within SUDORS to aid in classification of, for example, substance type and source.
  • Analyzing data for web reports; reviewing/revising current web content and engaging in active discussion with key partners under CDC mentors.
  • Conducting literature reviews on overdose-related topics.
  • Developing summary and state-specific fact sheets and/or data visualizations based on SUDORS data
  • Double-coding analyses and developing manuscripts, surveillance reports, and/or data briefs.
  • Coordinating SUDORS workgroup meetings with states.
  • Developing procedures and processes for project management to ensure team activities are implemented in a well-planned planner and deadlines are met.

Learning Objectives: This Overdose Mortality Surveillance Fellowship will be an excellent opportunity for a Fellow interested in acquiring training and experience in drug overdose epidemiology and surveillance. Under the guidance of the mentor, the participant will assist with responding to state technical assistance inquiries, data quality assurance activities, qualitative and quantitative analyses, reviewing web content, development of data visualizations based on drug overdose mortality data, coordination of workgroups, and development of scientific products (e.g., manuscripts, data briefs). This will be a rich opportunity to both learn about overdose mortality surveillance and participate in a diverse portfolio of surveillance projects.

Mentor(s)The mentor for this opportunity is Dr. Lauren Tanz (LTanz@cdc.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor(s).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: June 26, 2022.  Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.

Appointment LengthThe appointment will initially be for up to one year, but may be renewed upon recommendation of CDC and is contingent on the availability of funds.

Level of ParticipationThe appointment is full-time.

Participant StipendThe participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. 

Citizenship RequirementsThis opportunity is available to U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR).

ORISE InformationThis program, administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and CDC. Participants do not become employees of CDC, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. Health insurance can be obtained through ORISE.

The successful applicant(s) will be required to comply with Environmental, Safety and Health (ES&H) requirements of the hosting facility, including but not limited to, COVID-19 requirements (e.g. facial covering, physical distancing, testing, vaccination).

Questions: Please visit our Program Website. After reading, if you have additional questions about the application process please email ORISE.CDC.NCIPC@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should have received a master's or doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields, or be currently pursuing one of the degrees with completion by June 30, 2022. Degree must have been received within the past five years.

Preferred Skills:

  • Experience or knowledge regarding public health, epidemiology, and surveillance.
  • Experience or knowledge related to data analysis, data interpretation, and data visualization.
  • Experience or knowledge with statistical analysis software such as with the application of SAS, R, or other relevant platforms for large, complex, database management systems. 
  • Experience or knowledge with data visualization software such as Power BI.
  • Experience or knowledge performing statistical and epidemiological analysis of complex datasets and disseminating results broadly.
  • Experience in project coordination and project management.
  • Ability to collaborate with other scientific and professional staff.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Eligibility Requirements
  • Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
  • Degree: Master's Degree or Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or anticipated to be received by 6/30/2022 11:59:00 PM.
  • Discipline(s):
    • Communications and Graphics Design (1 )
    • Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (3 )
    • Life Health and Medical Sciences (3 )
    • Mathematics and Statistics (1 )
  • Veteran Status: Veterans Preference, degree received within the last 120 month(s).
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