SH-1068 Mortality Data Abstractor (Overdose Surveillance)
Position Overview:
The Mortality Data Abstractor (Overdose Surveillance) supports provisional overdose fatality surveillance by comparing the MDI Log front-end system with the MDI Log Sandbox. The role focuses on case abstraction, review of clinical and narrative information, data quality assessment, and practical recommendations for extracting, validating, and reporting surveillance data. This position connects program leadership, technology teams, system owners, analysts, and dashboard developers to ensure smooth data integration and reporting. The Abstractor assesses feasibility, supports approved data workflows, establishes validation and governance standards, and prepares reliable datasets for Power BI and other reporting platforms. Early responsibilities include evaluating front-end and sandbox workflows for provisional overdose fatality surveillance. The ideal candidate can navigate and compare multiple data platforms, identify their strengths and limitations, including data quality issues, and extract structured data to support dashboard development.
Key Responsibilities
- Review structured fields and narrative case information to identify suspected overdose deaths using approved case definitions. Document uncertainty and changes as additional findings become available.
- Navigate the MDI Log front-end and Sandbox, identify relevant fields, and obtain authorized CSV extracts for comparable surveillance periods.
- Compare case capture, overlap, missing records, duplicates, completeness, and timeliness. Investigate discrepancies and quantify their implications for provisional reporting.
- Evaluate the manual effort, strengths, and limitations of each workflow, and recommend a feasible approach for recurring surveillance.
- Complete other tasks as assigned by the supervisor.
Qualifications & Requirements
- Education: Bachelor's degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Health Informatics, Health Information Management, or a related field required.
- Certifications: None required.
- Experience: Minimum one year of relevant experience in clinical or public health data abstraction, case review, or comparable surveillance work required. Demonstrated ability to interpret narrative records and medical terminology, apply case definitions, and explain classification decisions required. Experience navigating health information systems and exporting, cleaning, comparing, and validating structured data using Excel or another appropriate analytical tool required. Experience with overdose, substance use, injury, or mortality surveillance, including medical examiner records, toxicology findings, or death certificates preferred. Familiarity with MDI Log, SUDORS, NVDRS, or comparable case-management and surveillance systems preferred. Experience evaluating public health data workflows or supporting a local or state health department preferred.
- Skills: Strong attention to detail, independent problem solving, clear documentation, and communication skills. Ability to interpret narrative records and medical terminology. Ability to apply case definitions and explain classification decisions. Proficiency in navigating health information systems and exporting, cleaning, comparing, and validating structured data using Excel or another appropriate analytical tool. Advanced R programming, backend SQL development, and dashboard development are not required for this assignment.
Core Competencies
- Case abstraction and review of clinical and narrative information
- Application of approved case definitions and classification decisions
- Data quality assessment, including completeness, accuracy, consistency, and timeliness
- Health information system navigation and data export
- Structured data comparison, cleaning, and validation
- Technical documentation and clear communication of findings
- Attention to detail, independent problem solving, and organization
- Effective collaboration with program leadership, technology teams, system owners, analysts, and dashboard developers
- Proactive approach to maintaining secure, accurate, and usable surveillance data
- Commitment to quality improvement and ongoing professional development
Working Conditions
- Work primarily in an office or remote environment with extended periods of computer use.
- Collaborate regularly with program leadership, technology teams, system owners, analysts, and dashboard developers.
- Navigate multiple health information systems, web-based platforms, and data export tools daily.
- Prepare for the possibility of shifting priorities, data availability constraints, and time-sensitive surveillance reporting requests.
- Communicate and interact with technical and nontechnical stakeholders on a daily basis.
Physical Requirements:
Must be able to lift and carry up to 15 pounds. Position requires standing less than 33% of time on duty, walking less than 33% of time on duty, and sitting between 33% and 66% of time on duty. Use of hands to finger, handle, or feel over 66% of time on duty. Reaching with hands or arms less than 33% of time. Full ability to talk and hear. Correctable vision required.
- Syra Health Corp is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran disability or genetic information or any other reason prohibited by law in employment.*