Campus Pride Jobs

Mobile Campus Pride Logo

Job Information

MyFlorida BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST II - 64002813 in RIVIERA BEACH, Florida

BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST II - 64002813

Date: Jun 21, 2024

Location:

RIVIERA BEACH, FL, US, 33404

The State Personnel System is an E-Verify employer. For more information click on our E-Verify Website (http://www.dms.myflorida.com/workforce_operations/human_resource_management/for_job_applicants/e_verify) .

Requisition No: 831630

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST II - 64002813

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 64002813

Salary: $43,564.04

Posting Closing Date: 06/26/2024

Total Compensation Estimator Tool (https://compcalculator.myflorida.com/)

Internal Agency Opportunity

Applicants accepted only from Department of Health employees, (includes OPS, Career Service, SES or SMS employees). Applicants will not be accepted from outside the department.

Specific Responsibilities:

This is a Biological Scientist II field position in the Epidemiology Program, responsible for the prevention and control of Viral hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) including Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in Palm Beach County in order to promote long, healthy life and allow every individual to attain his or her full health potential. T his position works in field, office and clinical settings, and may have to visit jails. Perform phlebotomy routinely and conduct confidential field investigations. Work is performed under the supervision of the Public Health Services Manager F-SES. This position requires independent judgment, initiative, applying general knowledge of business practices and skill in applying instructions to accomplish various job functions.

This position is designated as a sensitive position and is required to maintain confidential information in accordance with the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) Palm Beach County Health Department (CHD) Information Security Policy, Protocols and Procedures. This position is classified as sensitive and governed by State and local confidentiality and security policies related to STD and TB surveillance and investigation data in accordance with Florida Statutes (FS) 384, 392, 381.004, 960-003; Florida Administration Codes 10D-3, 64D-2, 64D-3; and local Health Department guidelines. This position is responsible for maintaining and securing confidential databases: e.g. Surveillance Tools And Reporting System (STARS), Health Management System (HMS), Florida SHOTS, Merlin, Hepatitis Database. Responsible for abiding by Internal Operating Procedures (IOPs) and Technical Assistance Guidelines (TAGs) related to STD and HIV/AIDS and other CHD functions (including IOP: STDs; Policy: Security 7.4 and TAG for HIV/AIDS TAG: I, 7, II, 15, 18, and 17).

Hepatitis program coordination: Act as the hepatitis program coordinator for Palm Beach County Health Department. Responsible for coordinating hepatitis prevention and intervention activities for the STD Program and acts as a liaison between the STD program in Palm Beach and State Hepatitis Prevention Program and community partners.

Outreaches: Organizes prevention events to provide education, screening and referral services to those who have not been identified of being infected but are at high risk of having or acquiring hepatitis, STD, HIV. Provides oral and written presentations to healthcare workers, clients and the community. Draw blood for screening using phlebotomy techniques. Responsible for developing and updating awareness strategies, educational presentations, forms and reports pertaining to outreaches and screening. Maintains an outreach database.

Hepatitis Case Management: Responsible for analyzing screened hepatitis labs and performs field investigations for post-test counseling, interviewing and appropriate referral/linkage to vaccination or care, documenting all efforts in STARS and local Hepatitis Data.

Emdeon/HMS Lab Orders: Enters labs on behalf of providers for syphilis, hepatitis A, B, & C, and HIV through Emdeon/HMS. Schedules outreach clients who are susceptible to hepatitis A and/or B for vaccination appointments in HMS. Reviews hepatitis labs to ensure they are captured in HMS. Follows up with scheduled clients to confirm vaccination(s) were completed. Reach out to clients to reschedule vaccination appointments and document all efforts in STARS and/or hepatitis database.

STD Field Investigations/Case Management/Surveillance: Acts as back up to the STD field operations and surveillance teams. Conducts field investigations to provide partner services to individuals infected with or at-risk of STDs, Hepatitis, HIV/AIDS or other infections. Document all investigative efforts in STARS. View demographic and clinical information within Electronic Health Record (EHR) and HMS systems. Ensures notifiable STD's are reported by healthcare providers and laboratories according to the Florida statutes. Ensures positive tests for diseases are entered in STARS. Communicates with public and private providers, hospitals, laboratories, and other health care facilities to obtain demographic, laboratory, clinical or other specific information; arrange medical evaluations and treatments for a client; and/or provide information on current reporting / treatment guidelines for communicable diseases . Record searches various databases for verification and investigation of demographic and medical information. Analyzes cases and assigns promptly for field investigation. Perform field visits and provides transportation for patients as needed using State vehicles.

Program Reports: Prepares periodic Hepatitis/STD reports.

Agency Processes: Perform agency and administrative processes in accordance with current CHD and STD Program Policy and/or procedure including but not limited to, completing timesheets, travel reimbursement etc.

Emergency Preparedness: This position requires incumbent to take part in emergency preparedness and readiness for any potential outbreaks in STDs/hepatitis or other emerging health threats as directed by the program. Incumbent provides technical assistance not considered part of routine duties including but not limited to, Epidemiological assistance to other County Health Department’s or program areas, public health awareness and emergency response situations.

Performance and Training Capacity: Work together with Program Manager and Biological Scientists III in quality assurance reviews and assists with the training of new Biological Scientists.

Backup for TB Program : Serves as a backup and performs fieldwork in the control and prevention of Tuberculosis (TB), including but not limited to, field visits to provide Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) / Directly Observed Preventive Therapy (DOPT); patient and family education on Tuberculosis and processes of care; assists in specimen collection such as sputa and blood; assists in the conduction of epidemiological investigations to identify contacts.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  • Knowledge of communicable disease prevention.

  • Knowledge of methods of compiling, organizing and evaluating data.

  • Knowledge of specimen collection methods and standard precautions.

  • Ability to conduct field investigations and fact-finding interviews.

  • Ability to analyze data.

  • Ability to plan, prioritize, organize and coordinate work activities independently to accomplish assignments.

  • Ability to prepare records and reports.

  • Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.

  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

  • Knowledge of computer applications/software.

    Qualifications:

    Licensure/registration/certification requirements(If applicable, list the appropriate Florida Statute or federal regulation cite):

  • NA

    Other job-related requirements for this position:

  • Incumbent may be required to work before, during and/or beyond normal work hours or days in the event of an emergency. Emergency duty required of the incumbent includes working in special needs shelters, or performing other emergency duties including, but not limited to, responses to or threats involving any disaster or threat of disaster, man-made or natural.

  • Valid Driver’s License.

  • Safely wear a tight fitting N95 respirator is required.

    Working hours: (A) Daily from8:00 A.Mto5:00 P.M(B) Total hours in workweek40Hours(C) Explain any variation in work (split shift, rotation, etc.)

  • May be required to work before, after, and/or beyond normal working hours including weekends and holidays, for field investigations, outreaches and/or outbreak responses.

    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:

    851 Avenue P, Riviera Beach, FL 33404

    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.

Nearest Major Market:Palm Beach

Nearest Secondary Market:Miami

DirectEmployers