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INFORMATION FOR SOLICITING APPLICATIONS FOR
Two Year India Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) Training Programme
1. ORGANIZATION/ PROGRAMME BACKGROUND:
The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India in collaboration with the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Atlanta, Govt. of USA launched the Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) Training Programme, modeled on the US EIS programme for developing world-class, field epidemiologists, in India, in 2012.
India EIS, is a two-year programme, focused on providing hands-on training in epidemiologic service to public health professionals. Trainees, called Officers, engage in outbreak investigation, designing and analyzing epidemiological studies, analysis and evaluation of surveillance data, scientific communication, and other activities in preparation for careers as field epidemiologists. India EIS Training Programme is aimed at preparing public health professionals in field epidemiology and leadership skills at district, state and national levels.
While there is a dedicated cadre of public health professionals in the Central Health Services (CHS), as well as in some states in India, most lack applied epidemiological capacity. The India EIS Training Programme accordingly serves to improve the supply of qualified public health professionals and contribute towards epidemiological capacity development.
Applications are now being invited for the enrollment of outstanding public health professionals (State* and Self-Sponsored** candidates), for Cohort 6 of the India EIS Training Programme, commencing in November 2018 for a period of two years.
Please refer to http://ncdc.gov.in/showfile.php?lid=244 for the detailed Compendium of Operational Guidelines compiled by NCDC on the India EIS Training Programme.
- State-Sponsored: Regular/ Permanent employee of Central/State Health Service or equivalent viz. ESI, Railways, Municipal Corporations, Local Bodies etc.
- Self-Sponsored: Candidates not from any of the above said organizations/ institutions.
2. OUTLINE OF THE EIS PROGRAMME
EIS Candidates shall be placed in a Public Health programme or central project for their entire two-year period under the supervision of a Placement Supervisor (affiliated with their placement), and a Programme Mentor. Possible placements include National Health programmes such as the IDSP, relevant divisions of NCDC, Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP), National AIDS Control Office (NACO), National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), National Programme for Prevention of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases, and Stroke (NPCDCS), Immunization programme, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) institutes, and state health departments.
Concurrent evaluation of EIS Officer shall be carried out by their mentors, supervisors and the NCDC Director, based on their direct interactions, as well as on supplementary inputs provided by concerned Subject Matter Experts.
The India EIS Training Programme encompasses both training and field service. The training focuses on the development of skills in applied epidemiology, by the provision of epidemiologic services under supervision, through field assignments. Classroom instruction through periodic short courses is provided with the specific purpose of preparing EIS Officer for their field duties.
In summary, the two-year calendar comprises of about two months of training at NCDC and the balance of field placement of the EIS Officer in assignments suitable for fulfilling prescribed core activities of learning under the supervision of identified mentors and periodic contact courses at NCDC to acquire the skills needed by a practicing field epidemiologist. CDC Atlanta shall provide technical support to the India EIS Training Programme.
Development of Epidemiologic Competencies:
Field-based learning opportunities shall be provided to EIS Officer to develop proficiency in important epidemiologic competencies that are needed to do the job of a practicing field epidemiologist. These include:
(1) Conducting or participating in a field investigation of a potentially serious public health problems that requires a timely response - the EIS Officer must lead the investigation;
(2) Designing, conducting, and interpreting an epidemiological analysis;
(3) Analyzing data from and evaluating a public health surveillance system;
(4) Giving a public health talk on the EIS Officer original work or in their field of study to an audience outside her/his normal place of work of about 30 members for a period of 20 minutes at least and answering questions from the audience;
(5) Giving a 5 to 15 minute oral presentation to a scientific audience;
(6) Creating a visual/graphic aid to illustrate scientific findings;
(7) Writing and submitting, as first author, a scientific manuscript for a peer-reviewed journal that is cleared for publication by NCDC;
(8) Writing and submitting, as the primary author, a concise public health update communicating timely information;
(9) Writing and submitting, as first author, an abstract;
(10) Providing service to NCDC and/or the field of public health. This should however be done in a manner that does not take more than 5% of the time of the EIS Officer, effectively utilizing her/his services in times of emergency, training, disaster, outbreak or major public health event, rather than on routine activities of the institution;
(11) Demonstrating proficiency in computer applications commonly used by epidemiologists such as the internet, databases like Microsoft Access and special EPI software systems;
(12) Gaining familiarity with the role of the laboratory in epidemiology, including knowledge and skills for collection, transport, storage of clinical specimens, interpretation of lab reports, and use of laboratory information;
(13) Identifying a public health emergency of international concern and adhering to the requirements of the International Health Regulations (IHR).
3. QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES
Qualifications:
(1) MD (Public Health/Preventive and Social Medicine/Community Medicine)
OR
MD (Clinical or Para-Clinical) with two years’ experience (service)
OR
MBBS with Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical, Para-clinical, or Public Health with three years’ of public health experience from any recognized institution
OR
MBBS from any recognized institution with five years minimum work experience in public health;
(2) Age: Not exceeding 45 years as of the last date of application;
(3) Government sponsored candidates should be presently working in central or state government/ PSUs (e.g. ESI, railways, state or municipal corporations, local bodies, defence, para-military forces, medical colleges, autonomous bodies, etc.
Experience:
(1) Work-experience in Health programmes in government and/or non-government sectors in India. Applicants with 2-5 years of Health experience shall be preferred;
(2) Sound understanding of the elements of the Public Health strategy and challenges in its implementation;
(3) Prior publications of scientific work in reputed journals / interest in scientific writing and publication;
(4) Research/ project experience in health field.
Attitude/ Skills:
(1) Strong commitment to a career in public health / epidemiology in India;
(2) Flexibility, willingness to travel extensively at short notice, work in various programmes, under various circumstances, including austere field conditions;
(3) Comfort using a computer and modern techniques of ICT;
(4) Professional maturity, capacity to learn and work independently, response to supervision.
5. COMPENSATION OFFERED:
Sponsored EIS Candidates will continue to draw salary and other admissible allowances for the two-year training period, from their parent employer.
Self-sponsored EIS Candidates are entitled for an allowance of Rs. 45,000 per month to support cost of living during the training period.
EIS Officers shall be supported for procuring text books, scientific journals and course materials through a book allowance of Rs. 20,000/- annually. The candidates shall additionally be paid Rs. 2,000/- pm for internet usage, Rs. 20,000/- pm for HRA and Rs. 5,000/- pm for local travel. Laptops with internet connectivity shall also be provided to all the selected candidates.
6. LOCATION/ PLACEMENT:
EIS Officers shall be placed in Central/ State public health programmes for the entire two-year training period. They shall work closely with their placement supervisor and mentors, as assigned, to accomplish the objectives of the programme. EIS Officer will remain under administrative control of NCDC for the duration of training i.e. 24 months.
Potential assignments for placement will be identified before each batch of EIS Candidates are enrolled in consultation with the NCDC Director or his/ her designated staff.
While an EIS Officer may be assigned to a programme at NCDC or other central agency, s/he is expected to travel to state health departments outside their assigned programme to investigate outbreaks, review surveillance data, and conduct other EIS activitiesin order to fulfill their Core Activities of Learning (CALs).
7. CERTIFICATION:
A certificate of completion shall be awarded to EIS Candidates who successfully complete all CALs, at the end of the two-year training programme. The certificate shall be jointly signed by CDC Atlanta and NCDC, India.
8. RECOGNITION FOR DNB (FIELD EPIDEMIOLOGY):
National Board of Examination (NBE) has in-principle agreed to consider the two-year EIS to be eligible for DNB (Field Epidemiology).
9. REFERENCE: EIS Candidates (EISC)
10. Email: eis-2018@sams.co.in
11. LAST DATE FOR APPLICATIONS:
Eligible candidates interested in this opportunity are required to apply in the prescribed application form available at www.sams.co in or alternately at http://www.ncdc.gov.in/ to the above email id on or before August 14, 2018. Only applications that have been filled in the prescribed application form shall be considered. All candidates are additionally required to send a printed copy of the application form through their employer/ sponsor, accompanied by a letter from the same, recommending that the applicant be considered for the India EIS Training Programme.
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