BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST I - 64085362 1 Date: Dec 17, 2024 The State Personnel System is an E-Verify employer. For more information click on our E-Verify Website (http://www.dms.myflorida.com/workforceoperations/humanresourcemanagement/forjobapplicants/everify) .Requisition No: 843402 Agency: Department of HealthWorking Title: BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST I - 64085362 1Pay Plan: Career ServicePosition Number: 64085362 Salary: $47,239.00 Annually Posting Closing Date: 12/20/2024 Total Compensation Estimator Tool (https://compcalculator.myflorida.com/) FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH BROWARD HEALTH SERVICES REPRESENTATIVE - 64085362 COMMUNICABLE DISEASE PREVENTION-STD PROGRAM INTERNAL AGENCY OPPORTUNITY This position requires you to work on site at one of our facilities located throughout Broward County. Applicants accepted only from Department of Health employees, (includes OPS, Career Service, SES or SMS employees). Applicants will not be accepted from outside of the department. We request that all applications be completed with People First - no faxed or mailed applications to the agency. Experience, education, and/or training used to meet the minimum qualifications and in response to the qualifying questions must be verifiable through information contained in your application. When completing the online application, all gaps of employment or education greater than 90 days starting from high school must be explained (approximate date, month, and year) identifying company name or if unemployed. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Duties and Responsibilities: This is an advanced professional position in a county wide disease prevention program. The incumbent in this position serves in a developmental capacity, providing direct disease and public health awareness intervention activities to CHD STD Prevention and Control Programs including but not limited to Partner Counseling Referral Services (PCRS), epidemiological case analysis and investigations, notification, counseling and referral services of individuals exposed to or at-risk of infection from chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis, herpes simplex virus (HSV), HIV/AIDS, human papilloma virus (HPV), syphilis, Tuberculosis and other bacterial, viral or biological agents. Provide direct guidance and instruction on work methods, procedures and techniques are provided. All activites are reviewed in progress and at completion for technical adequacy, timeliness and adherence to instructions and guidelines. All activities are performed observing federal, state, department and CHD Information Security and Confidentiality statutes, rules, regulations, policies and procedures. Provides PCRS in accordance with current STD Program Policy to a wide variety of individuals infected with or at-risk of a STD including hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, TB or other bacterial, biological and/or viral agents to elicit partner and suspect information. Utilizes information for epidemiological analysis to identify the source and spread cases related to the known infection(s). Conducts field investigations in accordance with current STD Program Policy to locate and provide Direct Observe Therapy (DOT) to individuals infected with Tuberculosis, provides Perinatal Field Investigation and refer individuals infected with or suspected to be at-risk of infection for STD's including hepatitis, HIV/AIDS or other bacterial, biological and/or viral agents for counseling, medical evaluation and/or treatment. This process would include interviewing individuals and writing up these reports so they can be submitted to the electronic database. This may also entail questionnaire and interview design. Will also advise patients regarding their disease and how to prevent future occurrence (if the disease can recur). Performs case management activities as directed in the process of discovering and/or identifying individuals infected with a STD, hepatitis, HIV/AIDS or other bacterial, biological and/or viral agent. These activities will include but not limited to: Work prioritization and records documentation and management, clustering, HIV pre and posttest counseling, visual case analysis and epidemiological techniques, STARS data entry and/or other related activities. Communicates with public and private clinics, clinicians, hospitals, laboratories and other health care providers to obtain demographic, medical or other specific client information including address, telephone number, place of employment, social security number, race, sex, date of birth, test results, diagnosis, treatment, etc. and/or to arrange medical evaluations and treatments for a client. And provide information to the current reporting requirements for communicable disease. Participates in clinical, community or impromptu screening activities by performing venipuncture techniques to identify STD, hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, or other bacterial, biological or viral agents. Provides oral and written presentations to both Health department employees and the community thus providing education. These activities will occur before, during or after normal working hours and/or on weekends or holidays. Completes required records and reports including case management forms, laboratory request forms, travel reimbursement forms, Health Management Consulants/ Clinical Information System (HMC/CIS), etc. in accordance with current CHD and STD Program Policy and/or procedure. Provides technical and epidemiological assistance to other County Health Department’s or program areas by providing public health awareness and emergency response. Performs other related duties as needed. Knowledge, skills and abilities, including utilization of equipment, required for the position:
Knowledge of STDs and HIV/AIDS including diagnosis
Knowledge of the current STD Treatment Guidelines
Knowledge of varied social, economic, cultural and lifestyle characteristics
Knowledge of Tuberculosis including treatment and diagnosis
Knowledge of providing direct observed therapy (DOT)
Knowledge of Sputum Collection
Knowledge of Hepatitis A, B, C
Knowledge of Rabies and Animal Quarantine
Knowledge of human biology and anatomy
Knowledge of federal and state rules and regulations governing the reporting of HIV, AIDS, STDs, Tuberculosis, Hepatitis and Rabies
Knowledge of epidemiology and disease reporting requirements
Knowledge of medical terminology and familiarity with laboratory reports
Knowledge of investigative and interview techniques
Knowledge of Case Management
Knowledge of HMS, STARS and Merlin
Knowledge of health promotion and disease prevention
Knowledge of methods of compiling, organizing and analyzing data
Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, Office, and Word
Skill in providing excellent customer service
Skill in eliciting information from patients and target groups with these diverse backgrounds
Skill in the use of a personal computer
Skill in the use of HMS, Merlin and STARS
Skill in clear and effective oral and written communication
Skills in Phlebotomy
Skills in motivational interviewing
Skill in Sputum Collection
Minimum Qualifications:
Willing to work before, during and/or beyond normal work hours or days in the event of an emergency.
Current employee of Florida Department of Health employees, (includes OPS, Career Service, SES or SMS employees.
Experience working in the STD or HIV field.
Valid driver’s license, free of major infractions and access to an automobile to be utilized for work purpose.
Able to work nights and weekends according to program needs.
Willing to participate in STD community outreach.
Intermediate level (or higher) computer skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
Minimum of one (1) year of experience working in the STD or HIV field.
Associate degree or Bachelor’s degree in Public Health or a related field from an accredited college or university.
(1) year experience with interviewing, counseling, case management, or public health.
Florida Department of Health Mission, Vision, and Values:
Mission:
To protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county & community efforts.
Vision:
To be the Healthiest State in the Nation.
Values:
I nnovation: We search for creative solutions and manage resources wisely.
C ollaboration: We use teamwork to achieve common goals & solve problems.
A ccountability: We perform with integrity & respect.
R esponsiveness: We achieve our mission by serving our customers & engaging our partners.
E xcellence: We promote quality outcomes through learning & continuous performance improvement.
Where You Will Work:
Broward County
The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:
Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:
Annual and Sick Leave benefits;
Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year;
State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options;
Retirement plan options, including employer contributions
(For more information, please click www.myfrs.com);
Flexible Spending Accounts;
Tuition waivers;
And more!
For a more complete list of benefits, including monthly costs, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.
Please be advised:
Your responses to qualifying questions for this position must be verifiable by documentation provided through the electronic application process.
This position requires a security background check and/or drug screening and participation in direct deposit. Any misrepresentations or omissions will disqualify you from employment consideration. Note: You will be required to provide your Social Security Number (SSN) in order to conduct this background check Successful completion of a drug test is a condition of employment for safety-sensitive positions.
Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion unless they are registered with the Selective Services System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. For more information, please visit the SSS website: http://www.sss.gov
If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement.
The successful candidate will be required to complete the Form I-9 and that information will be verified using the E-Verify system. E-Verify is operated by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration to verify employment eligibility.
Incumbents may be required to perform emergency duty before, during, and/or beyond normal work hours or days.
Florida has the third largest population of veterans in the nation with more than 1.5 million service men and women. The Florida Department of Health (department) is committed to serving members of the United States Armed Forces, veterans and their families by encouraging them to apply for vacancies that fit their area of knowledge and/or expertise. Through the Department's VALOR program, which expedites licensing for military veterans, the Department also waives initial licensing and application fees for military veterans who apply for a health care professional license within 60 months of an honorable discharge. These initiatives help ensure that the transition from military service into the workforce is as smooth as possible and reflects our appreciation for the dedication devoted to protecting our country.
The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.VETERANS’ PREFERENCE. Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clickinghere (http://www.dms.myflorida.com/content/download/97612/566545) . All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement. Location: FORT LAUDERDALE, FL, US, 33315 Nearest Major Market:Fort LauderdaleNearest Secondary Market:Miami
