Epidemiologist
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Description
Epidemiologists are the research scientists who determine the causes and spread of various types of diseases in a particular group of people. Epidemiologists analyze and study various research methods in order to create health awareness among public. They are basically employed by the private agencies, academic institutions, federal, state, and local governments. Epidemiologists also take an active part in preventing or reducing the incidence of tuberculosis, birth defects, AIDS, cancer, and heart disease (State University, N/A). An Epidemiologist’s job depends upon the type of field one goes into like clinical and research. Clinical epidemiologists can be seen in hospices, a home providing care for the sick or terminally ill (Dictionary.com, 2013), associates or medical staff. They are specialists who help to control, prevent, and manage the spread of infection. In contrary, research epidemiologists are employed by the public health schools, medical schools, government sectors, and pharmaceutical research centers (State University, N/A) to research new diseases and methods of prevention.
Epidemiologists are the research scientists who determine the causes and spread of various types of diseases in a particular group of people. Epidemiologists analyze and study various research methods in order to create health awareness among public. They are basically employed by the private agencies, academic institutions, federal, state, and local governments. Epidemiologists also take an active part in preventing or reducing the incidence of tuberculosis, birth defects, AIDS, cancer, and heart disease (State University, N/A). An Epidemiologist’s job depends upon the type of field one goes into like clinical and research. Clinical epidemiologists can be seen in hospices, a home providing care for the sick or terminally ill (Dictionary.com, 2013), associates or medical staff. They are specialists who help to control, prevent, and manage the spread of infection. In contrary, research epidemiologists are employed by the public health schools, medical schools, government sectors, and pharmaceutical research centers (State University, N/A) to research new diseases and methods of prevention.
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Education
An epidemiologist should finish a 4 year bachelor degree and should obtain either a master’s degree or complete the master’s in public health or specialization on epidemiology. In addition, licensed medical professionals or physicians with an epidemiology degree are also eligible to work in the field of epidemiology (Healthcare Salaries, N/A).
Work Environment
Epidemiologists usually work in clean, well-lit offices and labs during regular business hours. Fieldwork or public health emergencies may occasionally require overnight work hours, weekends or holidays. In most cases, the work is considered low risk although some epidemiologists may work directly with dangerous chemicals (DeGrandpre, N/A).
An epidemiologist should finish a 4 year bachelor degree and should obtain either a master’s degree or complete the master’s in public health or specialization on epidemiology. In addition, licensed medical professionals or physicians with an epidemiology degree are also eligible to work in the field of epidemiology (Healthcare Salaries, N/A).
Work Environment
Epidemiologists usually work in clean, well-lit offices and labs during regular business hours. Fieldwork or public health emergencies may occasionally require overnight work hours, weekends or holidays. In most cases, the work is considered low risk although some epidemiologists may work directly with dangerous chemicals (DeGrandpre, N/A).
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Salary
An epidemiologist earns an average salary of about $64,500 per year (United States Department of Labour, 2013). Generally, epidemiologists working at local government sectors received the lowest salaries of about $60,000 while those working in scientific and technical consulting sectors earned highest salary of more than $100,000 (Healthcare Salaries, N/A).
An epidemiologist earns an average salary of about $64,500 per year (United States Department of Labour, 2013). Generally, epidemiologists working at local government sectors received the lowest salaries of about $60,000 while those working in scientific and technical consulting sectors earned highest salary of more than $100,000 (Healthcare Salaries, N/A).
Relevance to Genetics
Viruses and disease can infect any part of the human body including DNA and RNA. For instance, when a virus attaches to a cell, it inserts its DNA into the cell in hopes that it can replicate there and reproduce. It’s the cells job to protect the cell’s DNA. DNA in the nucleus is usually protected by something called “cytoplasmic nucleases” that degrades anything that isn’t its own DNA or is trying to take it. It is the epidemiologists job to understand how this process works as well as how to use it to their advantage when fighting and preventing diseases and outbreaks.
Additional Information
For a basic crash course in viruses in RNA and DNA, check out this link:
http://www.slideshare.net/xulkifal/projct-viruses
Viruses and disease can infect any part of the human body including DNA and RNA. For instance, when a virus attaches to a cell, it inserts its DNA into the cell in hopes that it can replicate there and reproduce. It’s the cells job to protect the cell’s DNA. DNA in the nucleus is usually protected by something called “cytoplasmic nucleases” that degrades anything that isn’t its own DNA or is trying to take it. It is the epidemiologists job to understand how this process works as well as how to use it to their advantage when fighting and preventing diseases and outbreaks.
Additional Information
For a basic crash course in viruses in RNA and DNA, check out this link:
http://www.slideshare.net/xulkifal/projct-viruses
References
DeGrandpre, Z. (N/A). Becoming an Epidemiologist.
Retrieved November 28, 2013, from Careers: http://www.innerbody.com/careers-in-health/becoming-epidemiologist.html
Dictionary.com. (2013). hospice. Retrieved November 28, 2013, from Dictionary.com: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/hospice
Healthcare Salaries. (N/A). Epidemiologist Salary. Retrieved November 28, 2013, from Healthcare Salaries: http://www.healthcare-salaries.com/physicians/epidemiologist-salary
State University. (N/A). Epidemiologist Job Description, Career as an Epidemiologist, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job. Retrieved November 28, 2013, from StateUniversity.com: http://careers.stateuniversity.com/pages/474/Epidemiologist.html
United States Department of Labour. (2013, March 29). Occupational Employment Statistics. Retrieved November 28, 2013, from Bureau of Labour Statistics: http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes191013.htm
Dictionary.com. (2013). hospice. Retrieved November 28, 2013, from Dictionary.com: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/hospice
Healthcare Salaries. (N/A). Epidemiologist Salary. Retrieved November 28, 2013, from Healthcare Salaries: http://www.healthcare-salaries.com/physicians/epidemiologist-salary
State University. (N/A). Epidemiologist Job Description, Career as an Epidemiologist, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job. Retrieved November 28, 2013, from StateUniversity.com: http://careers.stateuniversity.com/pages/474/Epidemiologist.html
United States Department of Labour. (2013, March 29). Occupational Employment Statistics. Retrieved November 28, 2013, from Bureau of Labour Statistics: http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes191013.htm