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ID
12-509-1050
Name
Epidemiologist
Status
Published
Version
1.7
Updated
1/9/2024 4:07:22 PM
Original Release
03/04/2008
Last Major Release
 
NQS Position
Resource Category
Medical and Public Health
Primary Core Capability
Public Health, Healthcare, and Emergency Medical Services
Secondary Core Capability
Environmental Response/Health and Safety
Resource Kind
Personnel
Overall Function
The Epidemiologist performs epidemiological assessment and analysis
Single resource
In conjunction with a NIMS typed team
NIMS Typed Team
Epidemiological Response Team
In conjunction with a NIMS typed unit
NIMS Typed Unit
 
Description Notes
Not Specified
Supporting Core Capabilities
None
Types
Type Description
Type 1Same as Type 2, PLUS: 1. Provides leadership for scientific analysis and public health research 2. Experience operating in hazardous environments
Type 2Same as Type 3, PLUS: 1. Manages and provides professional guidance for a team of individuals conducting advanced epidemiological services 2. Ensures communication with various audiences in timely and relevant manner 3. Provides epidemiological perspective in the development and analysis of public health policies
Type 3Same as Type 4, PLUS: 1. Manages and provides professional guidance for a team of individuals conducting basic epidemiological services 2. Recommends evidence-based interventions and control measures 3. Interfaces with public health assessment teams, environmental health teams, other public health disciplines and laboratories 4. Coordinates with public health agencies, jurisdictional Emergency Support Function (ESF) #8 – Public Health and Medical and health care coalitions
Type 4The NIMS Type 4 Epidemiologist: 1. Performs epidemiological assessment and analysis 2. Applies basic public health sciences to public health practice 3. Secures and protects patient data in alignment with protocols provided by the AHJ 4. Uses basic epidemiology communication skills 5. Works in a culturally competent manner to integrate community dimensions into epidemiological practice 6. Develops and supports systems thinking by examining the linkages and interactions between the components of a system 7. Supports the application of epidemiological knowledge to the development and analysis of public health policies
Components
Component Notes  
EducationNot Specified
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1A combination of ten years of post-high school education and experience, in accordance with CSTE Tier 3b Epidemiologist requirements
Type 2A combination of ten years of post-high school education and experience, in accordance with CSTE Tier 3a Epidemiologist requirements
Type 3A combination of eight years of post-high school education and experience, in accordance with CSTE Tier 2 Epidemiologist requirements
Type 4A combination of six years of post-high school education and experience, in accordance with Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) Tier 1 Epidemiologist requirements
TrainingNot Specified
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Same as Type 2
Type 2Same as Type 3
Type 3Same as Type 4, PLUS: 1. ICS-300: Intermediate Incident Command System for Expanding Incidents 2. ICS-400: Advanced Incident Command System for Command and General Staff – Complex Incidents
Type 4Completion of the following: 1. IS-100: Introduction to the Incident Command System, ICS-100 2. IS-200: Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response, ICS-200 3. IS-700: National Incident Management System, An Introduction 4. IS-800: National Response Framework, An Introduction 5. Training in accordance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1910.120: Hazardous Materials Awareness 6. Training in accordance with OSHA 29 CFR Part 1910.134: Respiratory Protection 7. Training in accordance with OSHA 29 CFR Part 1910.1030: Bloodborne Pathogens 8. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Packaging and Shipping Division 6.2 Materials or equivalent packaging and shipping training 9. Training in use of epidemiological software to perform epidemiology investigations, analysis and reporting
ExperienceNot Specified
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Same as Type 2
Type 2Same as Type 3, PLUS: 1. Two years of work experience in epidemiology
Type 3Two years of work experience in epidemiology in a public health agency
Type 4Not Specified
Physical/Medical Fitness1. The NIMS Guideline for the National Qualification System (NQS) defines Physical/Medical Fitness levels for NIMS positions 2. PPE is mission-specific and may vary by working environment, including protective footwear, protective clothing for skin exposures, eye and hearing protection, respirators, gloves and masks
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Same as Type 2
Type 2Same as Type 3
Type 3Same as Type 4
Type 41. Moderate 2. Maintains immunizations in accordance with current AHJ requirements 3. Is able to work while wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
CurrencyProvider must carry out and use any background checks as applicable law specifies. This may include a: 1. Background check completed within the past 12 months 2. Sex-offender registry check 3. Local, state and or national criminal history check
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Same as Type 2
Type 2Same as Type 3
Type 3Same as Type 4
Type 41. Functions in this position during an operational incident, planned event, exercise, drill or simulation at least once every two years 2. Background checks as applicable law permits or requires
Professional and Technical Licenses and Certifications1.The NIMS Type 4 Epidemiologist requirements are consistent with the CSTE Tier 1 Epidemiologist requirements 2. The NIMS Type 3 Epidemiologist requirements are consistent with the CSTE Tier 2 Epidemiologist requirements 3. The NIMS Type 2 Epidemiologist requirements are consistent with the CSTE Tier 3a Epidemiologist requirements 4. The NIMS Type 1 Epidemiologist requirements are consistent with the CSTE Tier 3b Epidemiologist requirements
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Not Specified
Type 2Not Specified
Type 3Not Specified
Type 4Not Specified
Composition and Ordering Specifications
Specification
This position can be ordered as a single resource or in conjunction with a National Incident Management System (NIMS) typed team (such as the Epidemiological Response Team or the Isolation and Quarantine Team)
Discuss logistics for this position, such as security, lodging, transportation and meals prior to deployment
The position typically works 12 hours per shift, is self-sustainable for 72 hours and is deployable up to 14 days
This position may be specified as a Disaster Epidemiologist, who has training and experience in field epidemiology, applied disaster epidemiology methods, emergency response and the Incident Command System (ICS)
1569
Notes
References
Reference
FEMA, NIMS 508: Epidemiological Response Team
FEMA, NIMS 508: Isolation and Quarantine Team
FEMA, National Incident Management System (NIMS), October 2017
FEMA, NIMS Guideline for the National Qualification System, November 2017
ICS-300: Intermediate Incident Command System for Expanding Incidents
ICS-400: Advanced Incident Command System for Command and General Staff – Complex Incidents
IS-100: Introduction to the Incident Command System, ICS-100
IS-200: Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response, ICS-200
IS-700: National Incident Management System, An Introduction
IS-800: National Response Framework, An Introduction
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1910.120: Hazardous Materials Awareness, latest edition adopted
OSHA 29 CFR Part 1910.134: Respiratory Protection, latest edition adopted
OSHA 29 CFR Part 1910.1030: Bloodborne Pathogens, latest edition adopted
Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE), Competencies for Applied Epidemiologists in Governmental Public Health Agencies, latest edition adopted
Published Versions
Version Publish Date Document Type
1.7 1/9/2024 4:07:22 PM PDF
1.6 1/16/2020 2:48:14 PM PDF
1.5 7/17/2019 3:28:27 PM PDF
1.4 1/3/2019 4:40:00 PM PDF
1.3 9/28/2018 5:14:51 PM PDF
1.2 11/7/2017 5:13:13 PM PDF
1.1 4/8/2014 6:58:05 PM Unavailable
1.0 1/22/2014 4:03:49 PM Unavailable