If you are thinking about becoming an epidemiologist, then you should know that this work can be quite rewarding, both mentally and financially. People who work in this medical field spend many hours saving lives and finding solutions for better health.
An epidemiologist is a medical detective—performing research on epidemics and diseases such as cancer, heart disease, infectious diseases or other serious health conditions. Their research has applications which can literally benefit everyone in the world. The epidemiologist can determine how and why certain diseases occur in certain places, and work to find solutions to prevent these diseases. An epidemiologist also teaches about other public health issues such as cigarette smoking, cancer-causing agents or other environmental dangers.
What does an epidemiologist study?
There are two common types of epidemiologists: a research epidemiologist and a clinical epidemiologist. A research epidemiologist does most of the research regarding diseases in order to help find a way to prevent or cure certain diseases. A clinical epidemiologist generally works for a health care service with the main goal of finding ways to halt or avoid communicable epidemics.
Epidemiologists study a wide range of health care issues. They perform research on areas regarding serious, life-threatening diseases, diseases that are considered infectious, illnesses that run in families, or medical conditions that have occurred as a result of exposure to environmental pollutants. They also do research regarding certain types of physical injuries.
Epidemiologists collect and analyze important information about public health and the behavior of disease. An epidemiologist also plans wellness lessons, writes explanations about research, and talks to the public about any results from investigations.
Another part of the epidemiological study and research process involves medications. An epidemiologist may investigate medications to make sure that the prescribed dosages are working for the people who take the medications; s/he may also do research to ensure that the side effects are minimized.
Guide for becoming an epidemiologist
Whether you are in the midst of college level coursework or are considering a career change, you can get a great start toward a new career in epidemiology by taking online college courses and following those up with medical coursework. The most important high school or basic college classes in preparation for this career will be math and science. You’ll want to make sure you keep as high a GPA as possible, as this will be important in gaining acceptance into a graduate program in epidemiology.
Other necessary skills for the epidemiologist include critical thinking, great listening and communications skills (oral and written), good organizational skills, hands-on training, solving multifaceted problems and great reading and comprehension skills. You’ll also need to learn how to use certain types of computer software.
A solid history of science, biology, chemistry and math knowledge is very important, and a public health master’s degree is ultimately a major educational requirement in this field. Before a master’s degree is earned, you should pursue a bachelor’s degree in one of the biological sciences such as biology, genetics or physiology. A strong emphasis in mathematics with a focus on statistics can provide a solid background for your future career as an epidemiologist.
Accredited online universities offer these programs throughout the United States—including the online Master’s of Public Health degree—and you’ll find that most of these programs also have flexible scheduling to meet the needs of those who work full time.
You can probably become employed as an epidemiologist with a bachelor’s degree, but a master’s degree will open up additional opportunities to you. You can even elect to take your education even further and obtain a doctoral degree (PhD) in public health. A doctoral degree gives you many more opportunities to work in larger facilities or to take on higher-level jobs with more responsibility and higher pay.
Some epidemiological specialties
- Environmental epidemiology:
If you choose this specialty, you will work in areas concerned with environmental pollutants and/or exposures that might be a danger to individual or public health. In the environmental epidemiology field, you will do extensive research regarding pollutants, risk estimations, medical estimates and inspections regarding health consequences of pollutants and pathogens. - Genetic epidemiology:
The genetic epidemiology field deals with the genetics and other factors involving how genetic expression affects biological systems. The genetic histories of families and individual patients are used to determine how genetic diseases occur and how they can best be treated or prevented. - Social epidemiology:
Social epidemiologists study how socioeconomic factors affect the health of populations or individuals. Research is done to determine whether certain illnesses occurred because of people’s lifestyles, regional environmental factors, or working conditions.
What are the job benefits and the yearly salary of an epidemiologist?
The epidemiology industry is expected to grow at a higher rate than most other health care industries—therefore it’s a great time to become an epidemiologist. By the year 2016, the increase will be at least 14%. An epidemiologist’s starting salary begins at around $39,000 and can reach $93,000 with experience.
Even stronger growth is expected among epidemiologist jobs available in health care clinics. Epidemiologists work closely with various patient populations and monitor community health status. In most cases, the work is considered low-risk, although some epidemiologists may work directly with dangerous chemicals or pathogens; at every step of the way precautions are taken to protect their health and well-being.
If you are looking for an emotionally and financially rewarding job, this is a great one to choose; you’ll be actively seeking the causes of important serious illnesses and public health concerns and can potentially be at the forefront of major health achievements, helping to improve the quality of life for all. The American Public Health Association is the professional association of epidemiologists; its website has a great deal of useful information and you should look into it if you’re considering becoming an epidemiologist.