Position Title: SUDORS Abstractor
Location: Remote, supporting Tennessee
Position End Date: 09/29/26
Salary: $80,000 plus benefits

Overview:
The CDC Foundation is partnering with CDC and state and local agencies to provide additional staff to assist with surveillance, prevention, and response efforts for the Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) program. Through this agreement, the CDC Foundation will hire abstractors for OD2A jurisdictions that need support to meet program goals. States must submit comprehensive fatal overdose data to CDC twice a year, with deadlines determined by their assigned Tier. For fatal overdoses, states must enter abstracted information from death certificates as well as coroner and medical examiner reports for unintentional and undetermined intent overdose deaths into the State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System (SUDORS), which uses the same web platform as the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS). The abstractor will collaborate with epidemiologists to identify overdose deaths that meet SUDORS criteria, request necessary reports from medical examiner and coroner offices, and enter data into the SUDORS system.

Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree, nursing degree, or EMT/death investigation certification required; Master’s degree preferred (especially in nursing, public health, or a related field)
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• Highly motivated and able to work independently and collaboratively
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce high-quality work under deadlines
• Experience with statistical software (preferably SAS) is preferred but not required
• Proficiency in computer systems, ability to learn new data platforms quickly, and adherence to data integrity and security standards
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Emotional resilience to work regularly with potentially distressing information
• Experience working remotely with distributed teams
• Skilled in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams, and Zoom

Responsibilities:
• Build and maintain relationships with vital records offices, medical examiner and coroner offices, forensic centers, and law enforcement
• Abstract data from death certificates and coroner/medical examiner reports, including toxicology results, and enter it into online databases using established procedures
• Collaborate with overdose surveillance teams to improve fatal overdose data processes and ensure coordination of data efforts
• Perform SUDORS data quality assurance tasks
• Conduct manual reviews of narrative fields as needed
• Assist with SUDORS closeout activities such as case validation and quality control reports
• Participate in SUDORS workgroup meetings
• Potentially contribute to manuscripts, surveillance reports, or data briefs depending on skills and interests
• Stay up to date on all coding guidance and database updates
• Follow all data security and confidentiality requirements
• Travel as needed to conduct on-site data abstraction

Special Notes:
This position supports a dynamic public health program, and responsibilities may shift as needs evolve. Any changes to duties will be made with written approval from both the CDC Foundation and the jurisdiction to ensure alignment with program priorities.

All qualified candidates will be considered without discrimination based on legally protected characteristics. The CDC Foundation complies with all applicable laws, including those covering equal employment opportunity and affirmative action, and maintains a smoke-free workplace.

Relocation expenses are not provided.

About the CDC Foundation:
The CDC Foundation supports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by bringing together partners and resources from philanthropy, corporations, organizations, and individuals to protect health and safety in the United States and globally. Authorized by Congress as CDC’s official nonprofit partner, the Foundation has raised more than $1 billion and launched over 1,000 programs since 1995, addressing a wide range of health issues from chronic diseases to infectious outbreaks and emergency responses, including COVID-19 and Ebola. The Foundation has supported hundreds of CDC-led programs across the U.S. and in more than 140 countries. Learn more at https://www.cdcfoundation.org.