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When we think of healthcare jobs, we often imagine hospitals, clinics, or private practices. But sometimes, incredible opportunities pop up in unexpected places, offering a unique twist on traditional nursing roles. One such opportunity is the Epidemiology Registered Nurse position in Columbia, SC, with the South Carolina Department of Public Health. This role is perfect for nurses who are passionate about making a broader community impact through disease prevention, control, and emergency preparedness.

A Day in the Life of an Epidemiology RN:

Under the supervision of the Regional Epidemiology Program Manager, the Epidemiology Registered Nurse will lead efforts to prepare and respond to outbreaks and public health emergencies. Your core duties will involve conducting disease surveillance and outbreak investigations. You’ll collaborate with physicians, hospitals, and labs to ensure proper disease reporting and develop strategies for mitigating outbreaks. By evaluating data trends, you’ll help improve disease control measures and promote public health awareness.

Additionally, this role includes hands-on public health nursing responsibilities, such as performing specimen collections and helping at vaccine clinics. You’ll play an essential part in coordinating Medical Needs Shelters during public health emergencies, ensuring at-risk populations are cared for during crises.

Why Choose Epidemiology Nursing?

This role isn’t just about bedside care—it’s about prevention and protection on a larger scale. You’ll work as part of an Outbreak Response Team, meaning you’ll be at the forefront of stopping the spread of disease before it takes hold. If you enjoy problem-solving, data analysis, and contributing to long-term public health improvements, this position offers an ideal challenge.

Requirements and Skills:

To qualify, you need to be a licensed Registered Nurse in South Carolina and a graduate from an accredited nursing school. Experience in public health nursing or epidemiology is preferred. The ability to communicate clearly, both in writing and in person, is essential, as is the capacity to establish effective partnerships with healthcare providers, hospitals, and public health entities.

Key skills include:

• Familiarity with communicable disease epidemiology and surveillance systems.
• Strong analytical abilities to identify trends and manage outbreak responses.
• Competence in handling emergency situations, including operating vaccine clinics and assisting with disease control efforts.

Emergency Preparedness and Flexibility:

In this role, your readiness to respond to public health emergencies will be crucial. As part of the state’s Disaster Plan, you may be required to assist during hazardous weather events or disease outbreaks, ensuring the public’s safety through immediate and proactive action. This means you may need to be available during emergencies.

Compensation and Benefits:

This full-time position offers an annual salary ranging from $72,040 to $79,011, depending on experience. In addition to competitive pay, the South Carolina Department of Public Health provides an exceptional benefits package, including:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families.
• Generous retirement plans, including state-defined benefit and contribution options. I actually know people who have retired in the South Carolina state government, and are very happy with their benefits.
• 15 Paid vacation, sick leave, and 13 annual paid holidays. This works out to a month off every year, plus sick time!

These benefits, along with opportunities for professional growth, make this role particularly attractive for nurses seeking work beyond traditional clinical settings.

How to Apply:

If you’re ready to embrace a new challenge in your nursing career, apply today through the South Carolina Department of Public Health’s job portal. Keep in mind that your state application must include all work history and education details, as resumes alone won’t be reviewed for qualification purposes. Be prepared to submit documentation of your nursing license and academic credentials, along with proof of required vaccinations or immunity titers for infectious diseases.

Good luck!

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