Data Analyst, Communicable Disease

Job Information
Job Title: Data Analyst, Communicable Disease 
Job Requisition ID: 63028
Ministry: Health
Location: Edmonton
Full or Part-Time: Full-time
Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week
Permanent/Temporary: Permanent
Scope: Open Competition
Closing Date: October 8, 2024
Classification: Program Services 1
Salary: ​$2,165.27 to $2,814.70 bi-weekly ($56,514 - $73,464/year)

The Government of Alberta is committed to a diverse and inclusive public service that reflects the population we serve to best meet the needs of Albertans. Consider joining a team where diversity, inclusion and innovation are valued and supported. For more information on diversity and inclusion, please visit: https://www.alberta.ca/diversity-inclusion-policy.aspx.

The Ministry of Health is building a more resilient and sustainable health care system that can support Albertans getting care when and where they need it, while responding to system-wide health challenges, improving health outcomes, and maintaining fiscal responsibility. The ministry supports Albertans’ health and well-being throughout their lives by protecting public health and promoting wellness; coordinating and delivering safe, person-centered, quality health services; planning capital infrastructure; supporting innovative information management and technologies; regulating health care; and funding the health system.

The Department of Health establishes the Government of Alberta’s strategic direction for health, including advising government on health policy, legislation and standards, and public health concerns; monitoring and reporting health system performance; setting policies and priorities for the electronic/digital health environment; and providing oversight and ensuring accountability across the health system.

For further information, visit the ministry website at http://www.health.gov.ab.ca.

Join the Communicable Disease Control Branch. We are dedicated to enhancing public health through strategic leadership in disease control, immunization, and surveillance. We are committed to developing effective policies and standards that protect our communities. Our mission focuses on effective disease control, immunization, and surveillance to ensure community safety.

We are seeking a detail-oriented Data Analyst to join our team. Reporting to the Business Analyst, you will collaborate closely with the data management, information management, and communicable disease business teams to ensure data quality and integrity across our public health systems. In this role, you will ensure the accuracy and completeness of notifiable disease reports, leveraging software programs such as SAS or R to identify gaps and errors.

Role Responsibilities

Your key responsibilities will be conducting data reviews and audits to maintain the integrity of laboratory reports, notifiable disease reports, and outbreak data. Developing and implementing processes for managing data integrity and audits across the province. Providing support and strategic advice to the Business Analyst on the development and maintenance of communicable disease public health systems, ensuring partners have access to accurate and reliable notifiable disease data. Leading the design and implementation of business process changes related to core data management. Offering communication and technical support to all users of current and future communicable disease public health systems and handling sensitive information with confidentiality, adhering to relevant legislation, regulations, and operational policies.

Responsibilities for the position include: 

• Conduct data audits and review notifiable disease reports for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with reporting timelines.
• Develop and maintain queries for routine data audits to detect gaps, errors, and potential duplicates.
• Reconcile laboratory and notifiable disease information, collaborating with clinical staff from Alberta Health, First Nations, and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB), and Alberta Health Services (AHS) to address follow-up requirements.
• Document and update business processes related to communicable disease data management, including data dictionaries and user guides.
• Assess and streamline both manual and automated business processes, providing recommendations based on findings.
• Provide training and support, including facilitating orientation demonstrations and day-to-day assistance for communicable disease public health systems.
• Analyze business issues and operational challenges, offering insights and recommendations to senior management.
• Participate in strategy and planning sessions to enhance CD public health systems. 

Please click on the link to view the job description.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies:
https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf

Systems Thinking:
 

• Observe and understand the broader impact of your role on the organization.
• Anticipate changes in your area based on activities in other departments.
• Consider how your work influences others and seek to understand organizational goals.
• Recognize how the organization adds value for clients and stakeholders.

Drive for Results:
 

• Plan and strategize based on past experiences to exceed goals.
• Hold yourself and others accountable for delivering results.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to achieve shared objectives.
• Strive to exceed expectations in all aspects of your work.

Creative Problem Solving:
 

• Break down complex problems into manageable parts to identify effective solutions.
• Constructively challenge norms and encourage innovative thinking.
• Be open to diverse perspectives and contribute ideas for process improvement.
• Adapt existing practices to effectively address new challenges.

Develop Self and Others:
 

• Seek out learning opportunities to enhance your skills and knowledge.
• Reflect on your performance to identify areas for personal development.
• Proactively share knowledge and insights with the team.
• Actively coach and mentor team members to foster their growth.

Qualifications

Minimum Recruitment Standards
Two-year diploma in a related field and no experience required.

Related experience or education may be considered as an equivalency on a one for one basis:
1 year of education for 1 year of experience; or
1 year of experience for 1 year of education. 

The following experience is required: 

• This position requires a good working knowledge of case definitions, notifiable disease manual, the public health act, and regulations. 
• Must be able to interpret and keep information that is received from a variety of stakeholders consistent by applying set rules, have excellent written and verbal communications skills. 
• Requires the ability to analyze different situations and make appropriate and related recommendations. 
• Knowledge of current software (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access, and Outlook).
• Excellent time management skills and problem-solving skills are essential to manage complex projects.
• Understanding disease epidemiology, disease classification, medical terminology, microbiology, and case classification to determine appropriate disease reporting requirements.
• Extensive knowledge of computer technology, software applications, system terminology and industry needs.
• Knowledge in system development methodology, database concepts and system testing techniques.
• Experience creating database queries using SAS or R/RStudio Connect (or similar products).

The following are considered assets: 

• High School Diploma.
• 5 to 7 years experience with Communicable Disease.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. 

Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

This is a full-time position working 36.25 hours per week. 

Candidates with lesser qualifications may be considered at a lower classification and salary. This competition may be used to fill future roles at the same or lower classifications.

The final candidates may be required to undergo pre-employment checks (Reference check/Criminal record and/or academic).

A cover letter outlining how your experience relates to the qualifications outlined in this job ad is required. 

In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. Also, please indicate whether your work experience is casual, part-time, or full-time. For example, January 15, 2006 - June 25, 2009: Assistant (PT three 8 hrs. shifts/week).

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in. 

What we offer:
•    Working for the Alberta Public Service – https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx
•    Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.ca
•    Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits    
•    Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive
•    Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca
•    Positive workplace culture and work-life balance
•    Opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements such as working from home up to two days per week and modified work schedule agreements
•    Leadership and mentorship programs
 

How To Apply
Applicants are advised to provide information that clearly and concisely demonstrates how their qualifications meet the advertised requirements, including education, experience, and relevant examples of required competencies.

Candidates are required to apply for a job online. Please visit https://www.alberta.ca/job-application-resources#before for more information. Please visit Recruitment Principles, for more information.

It is recommended applicants who have completed post-secondary studies from outside of Canada obtain an evaluation of their credentials from the International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)(https://www.alberta.ca/international-qualifications-assessment.aspx) or from a recognized Canadian Credential Evaluator; please visit the Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada for more information (https://canalliance.org/en/default.html).

It is recommended that applicants include the assessment certificate from IQAS or any other educational assessment service as part of their application.

Closing Statement
This competition may be used to fill future vacancies, across the Government of Alberta, at the same or lower classification level.

We thank all applicants for their interest. All applications will be reviewed to determine which candidates' qualifications most closely match the advertised requirements.

If you require any further information on this job posting or require an accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact Jagreet Uppal at Jagreet.Uppal@gov.ab.ca.