SME II

Job Description

Overview
Goldbelt Professional Services specializes in providing expert resources for Public Health missions including scientific, technical, and administrative support from junior staff to high-level subject matter experts. Research and data driven, Goldbelt Professional Services' experts create solutions customized to the client's needs.

Summary:
The
SME II
will

provide

clinical

expertise

and

oversight

for

the

Birth

Defects

Study

to

Evaluate

Pregnancy

exposureS

(BD-STEPS)

within

the

CDC

Birth

Defects

Research

and

Prevention

(CBDRP)

program.

This

role

will

support

the

review

and

classification

of

complex

cardiac

and

non-cardiac

birth

defect

cases,

ensure

consistent

application

of

standardized

case

definitions

and

classification

methodologies,

and

promote

quality

and

accuracy

across

clinical

reviews.

Key

responsibilities

include

training

and

supporting

clinicians

in

eligibility

reviews

and

case

classification,

reviewing

complex

or

discrepant

cases,

monitoring

review

progress,

overseeing

quality

control

processes,

collaborating

with

data

management

and

CDC

staff,

and

contributing

to

the

development

of

reporting

and

data

analysis

tools.

The

physician

will

help

ensure

consistent

classification

practices,

resolve

challenging

cases,

and

maintain

the

accuracy

and

integrity

of

clinical

research

data.

Responsibilities
Essential Job Functions:
Provide specialized clinical expertise and recommendations to program staff on complex birth defects cases, surveillance findings, classification challenges, and methodological issues to support program objectives and the integrity of birth defects research data.
Conduct

eligibility

reviews

and

classify

complex

cardiac

and

non-cardiac

birth

defect

cases

for

the

Birth

Defects

Study

to

Evaluate

Pregnancy

exposures

(BD-STEPS)

using

established

case

definitions,

standardized

classification

systems,

and

clinical

documentation.
Train

and

provide

ongoing

guidance

to

CBDRP

clinicians

on

eligibility

review

procedures,

case

classification

methodologies,

and

the

use

of

BD-STEPS

clinical

databases

and

classification

tools.

Develop,

maintain,

and

update

training

materials

as

needed.
Provide

clinical

oversight

of

quality

control

processes

for

cardiac

and

non-cardiac

case

reviews

and

classifications

to

ensure

accuracy,

completeness,

consistency,

and

adherence

to

established

protocols.
Review

and

reconcile

discrepancies,

ambiguous

findings,

and

challenging

classifications;

provide

clinical

expertise

and

recommendations

to

resolve

inconsistencies

and

support

accurate

case

determination.
Monitor

the

progress

and

completion

of

eligibility

reviews

and

classifications

performed

by

BD-STEPS

clinicians,

identify

issues

or

delays,

and

support

timely

and

consistent

completion

of

assigned

work.
Provide

enhanced

birth

defects

surveillance

and

clinical

data

abstraction

to

support

cluster

investigations,

special

studies,

and

public

health

emergency

responses.
Review

abstracted

cases

from

birth

defects

studies

and

surveillance

systems

and

provide

recommendations

to

program

staff

regarding

the

accurate

identification

and

classification

of

specific

birth

defects.
Review

data

on

structural

birth

defects

collected

through

large,

multicenter,

multijurisdictional

birth

defects

case-control

studies

to

assess

clinical

accuracy,

completeness,

and

consistency

with

established

case

definitions

and

classification

standards.
Review

birth

defects

fact

sheets,

draft

guidance

documents,

and

related

program

materials

for

clinical

accuracy

and

clarity,

and

provide

recommendations

for

revisions

and

improvement.
Collaborate

with

the

CBDRP

lead

data

manager

to

review,

develop,

and

refine

reports

related

to

eligibility

reviews,

case

classifications,

surveillance

activities,

and

quality

control

processes.
Assist

in

the

design,

development,

evaluation,

and

improvement

of

data

analysis

tools

and

resources

that

support

clinical

case

review,

birth

defects

classification,

surveillance,

and

research

activities.
Collaborate

with

CDC

staff

and

CBDRP

team

members

to

establish

and

maintain

consistent

methodologies

for

classifying

cardiac

and

non-cardiac

birth

defects,

including

ensuring

accurate

classification

of

cases

involving

both

types

of

defects.

Qualifications
Necessary Skills and Knowledge
Extensive knowledge of congenital birth defects, including structural cardiac and non-cardiac defects, diagnostic criteria, clinical findings, medical terminology, and interpretation of complex medical records.
Ability to apply standardized case definitions and eligibility criteria, accurately classify birth defects, and support surveillance activities, cluster investigations, special studies, emergency responses, and multicenter research studies.
Proficiency in reviewing and abstracting clinical information, assessing data accuracy and completeness, identifying discrepancies, reconciling classification differences, and ensuring compliance with established protocols and quality standards.
Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills to evaluate complex or ambiguous cases, resolve classification challenges, interpret conflicting clinical findings, and provide evidence-based recommendations.
Ability to train, mentor, and provide clinical guidance to physicians and other staff on eligibility reviews, case classification methodologies, clinical databases, and standardized review procedures.
Knowledge of birth defects research, epidemiologic methods, case-control studies, public health surveillance systems, and clinical data collection practices.
Familiarity with clinical research databases, data management systems, reporting processes, and the development and improvement of data analysis tools to support case classification, surveillance, and research activities.
Ability to review and improve the clinical accuracy, clarity, and consistency of birth defects fact sheets, training materials, technical guidance, reports, and other scientific documents.
Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with clinicians, epidemiologists, data managers, researchers, and CDC personnel to ensure consistent classification practices and resolve clinical issues.
Exceptional attention to detail, organizational and time-management skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining accurate records, protecting confidential health information, and meeting established deadlines.
Minimum Qualifications:
Medical degree (MD), with relevant clinical experience in pediatrics, pediatric cardiology, clinical genetics, pathology, or a related specialty.
Experience

reviewing

and

classifying

congenital

anomalies

or

birth

defects

using

standardized

case

definitions.
Experience

with

clinical

research,

birth

defects

surveillance,

epidemiologic

studies,

or

public

health

programs.
Experience

providing

clinical

oversight,

training,

or

quality

assurance

for

multidisciplinary

clinical

review

teams.
Preferred Qualifications:
Board certification in Clinical Genetics, with expertise in dysmorphology, congenital anomalies, genetic syndromes, and phenotypic assessment.
Extensive experience evaluating complex congenital anomalies, including cardiac and non-cardiac defects, interpreting medical records, applying standardized case definitions, and resolving challenging case classifications.
Experience in birth defects surveillance, epidemiologic research, clinical case-control studies, or large-scale, multicenter public health research programs, preferably involving CDC or BD-STEPS initiatives.
Experience overseeing clinical case reviews, ensuring classification accuracy and consistency, resolving discrepancies, and training or mentoring clinicians in standardized review and classification procedures.
Experience with clinical research databases, data quality and analysis tools, scientific and technical writing, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, including clinicians, geneticists, epidemiologists, data managers, and public health professionals.
Familiarity

with

CDC

birth

defects

programs,

BD-STEPS,

and

associated

clinical

databases

and

classification

tools.

Pay and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $185.00 to $200.00 per hour.

Essential Job Functions:
Provide specialized clinical expertise and recommendations to program staff on complex birth defects cases, surveillance findings, classification challenges, and methodological issues to support program objectives and the integrity of birth defects research data.
Conduct

eligibility

reviews

and

classify

complex

cardiac

and

non-cardiac

birth

defect

cases

for

the

Birth

Defects

Study

to

Evaluate

Pregnancy

exposures

(BD-STEPS)

using

established

case

definitions,

standardized

classification

systems,

and

clinical

documentation.
Train

and

provide

ongoing

guidance

to

CBDRP

clinicians

on

eligibility

review

procedures,

case

classification

methodologies,

and

the

use

of

BD-STEPS

clinical

databases

and

classification

tools.

Develop,

maintain,

and

update

training

materials

as

needed.
Provide

clinical

oversight

of

quality

control

processes

for

cardiac

and

non-cardiac

case

reviews

and

classifications

to

ensure

accuracy,

completeness,

consistency,

and

adherence

to

established

protocols.
Review

and

reconcile

discrepancies,

ambiguous

findings,

and

challenging

classifications;

provide

clinical

expertise

and

recommendations

to

resolve

inconsistencies

and

support

accurate

case

determination.
Monitor

Minimum Qualifications

Extensive knowledge of congenital birth defects, including structural cardiac and non-cardiac defects, diagnostic criteria, clinical findings, medical terminology, and interpretation of complex medical records. Ability to apply standardized case definitions and eligibility criteria, accurately classify birth defects, and support surveillance activities, cluster investigations, special studies, emergency responses, and multicenter research studies. Proficiency in reviewing and abstracting clinical information, assessing data accuracy and completeness, identifying discrepancies, reconciling classification differences, and ensuring compliance with established protocols and quality standards. Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills to evaluate complex or ambiguous cases, resolve classification challenges, interpret conflicting clinical findings, and provide evidence-based recommendations. Ability to train, mentor, and provide clinical guidance to physicians and other staff on eligibility reviews, case classification methodologies, clinical databases, and standardized review procedures. Knowledge of birth defects research, epidemiologic methods, case-control studies, public health surveillance systems, and clinical data collection practices. Familiarity with clinical research databases, data management systems, reporting processes, and the development and improvement of data analysis tools to support case classification, surveillance, and research activities. Ability to review and improve the clinical accuracy, clarity, and consistency of birth defects fact sheets, training materials, technical guidance, reports, and other scientific documents. Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with clinicians, epidemiologists, data managers, researchers, and CDC personnel to ensure consistent classification practices and resolve clinical issues. Exceptional attention to detail, organizational and time-management skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining accurate records, protecting confidential health information, and meeting established deadlines.

Requirements

Necessary Skills and Knowledge
Extensive knowledge of congenital birth defects, including structural cardiac and non-cardiac defects, diagnostic criteria, clinical findings, medical terminology, and interpretation of complex medical records.
Ability to apply standardized case definitions and eligibility criteria, accurately classify birth defects, and support surveillance activities, cluster investigations, special studies, emergency responses, and multicenter research studies.
Proficiency in reviewing and abstracting clinical information, assessing data accuracy and completeness, identifying discrepancies, reconciling classification differences, and ensuring compliance with established protocols and quality standards.
Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills to evaluate complex or ambiguous cases, resolve classification challenges, interpret conflicting clinical findings, and provide evidence-based recommendations.
Ability to train, mentor, and provide clinical guidance to physicians and other staff on eligibility reviews, case classification methodologies, clinical databases, and standardized review procedures.
Knowledge of birth defects research, epidemiologic methods, case-control studies, public health surveillance systems, and clinical data collection practices.
Familiarity with clinical research databases, data management systems, reporting processes, and the development and improvement of data analysis tools to support case classification, surveillance, and research activities.
Ability to review and improve the clinical accuracy, clarity, and consistency of birth defects fact sheets, training materials, technical guidance, reports, and other scientific documents.
Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with clinicians, epidemiologists, data managers, researchers, and CDC personnel to ensure consistent classification practices and resolve clinical issues.
Exceptional attention to detail, organizational and time-management skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining accurate records, protecting confidential health information, and meeting established deadlines.
Minimum Qualifications:
Medical degree (MD), with relevant clinical experience in pediatrics, pediatric cardiology, clinical genetics, pathology, or a related specialty.
Experience

reviewing

and

classifying

congenital

anomalies

or

birth

defects

using

standardized

case

definitions.
Experience

with

clinical

research,

birth

defects

surveillance,

epidemiologic

studies,

or

public

health

programs.
Experience

providing

clinical

oversight,

training,

or

quality

assurance

for

multidisciplinary

clinical

review

teams.
Preferred Qualifications:
Board certification in Clinical Genetics, with expertise in dysmorphology, congenital anomalies, genetic syndromes, and phenotypic assessment.
Extensive experience evaluating complex congenital anomalies, including cardiac and non-cardiac defects, interpreting medical records, applying standardized case definitions, and resolving challenging case classifications.
Experience in birth defects surveillance, epidemiologic research, clinical case-control studies, or large-scale, multicenter public health research programs, preferably involving CDC or BD-STEPS initiatives.
Experience overseeing clinical case reviews, ensuring classification accuracy and consistency, resolving discrepancies, and training or mentoring clinicians in standardized review and classification procedures.
Experience with clinical research databases, data quality and analysis tools, scientific and technical writing, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, including clinicians, geneticists, epidemiologists, data managers, and public health professionals.
Familiarity

with

CDC

birth

defects

programs,

BD-STEPS,

and

associated

clinical

databases

and

classification

tools.

Pay and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $185.00 to $200.00 per hour.