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Requisition No: 817643 

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST I

Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 64853074 

Salary: $22.00 hourly 

Posting Closing Date: 12/07/2023 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

This is an Open Competitive Opportunity

Working Title: OPS Disease Intervention Specialist

Class Title: OPS Biological Scientist I - 64853074 

Full-time 40 hours weekly

Location: Naples

The Disease Intervention Specialist is a grant-funded position through 2028. The grant can be terminated or extended at any time. The grant may or may not be funded again after that date. Your employment beyond the grant expiration date is not guaranteed. Should the grant not be funded, you are eligible and encouraged to apply for another position within the agency. The salary for this position is $22.00/hour and is anticipated to work 40 hours weekly. 

Your Specific Responsibilities:

This is a professional level position in the Communicable Disease Control and Prevention Division of the Department of Health (DOH-Collier) in Naples. This position is responsible for providing direct disease and public health awareness intervention services to clients of the DOH-Collier Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) Program. This statewide program has the responsibility for the operation and/or surveillance of all activities involved in the control of STDs; especially Syphilis, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Chlamydia and Gonorrhea. The program main objective is to interrupt the transmission of STDs; thereby reducing their incidence and prevalence, as well as their medical sequelae. The incumbent in this position (Disease Intervention Specialist, DIS) works with minimal supervision in all aspects of the STD Program. This position requires knowledge of the public health system and the professional skills to interact with patients, health care providers and others in the community involved in STD prevention and control; and the ability to interact with people with diverse social, economic, and cultural lifestyles and characteristics. This position also requires communications skills to interview and elicit information from patients, contacts and at-risk individuals. This position reports directly to the Health Services Supervisor of the DOH-Collier STD program in Naples. This position is at risk for exposure to bloodborne and respiratory pathogens (Moderate risk level) under OSHA guidelines and requires annual TB assessment which may include a TST/ and Interferon Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) test and or chest x-ray and is required to have up-to-date vaccinations for some vaccine-preventable diseases.

  • Conducts investigations to locate individuals with STDs and refers them for medical evaluation, treatment and preventive counseling with their contacts and at-risk individuals. Ensures that all activities are conducted under the Federal, State and local program operational procedures and guidelines. 
  • Provides Partner Counseling and Referral Services (PCRS) in accordance with current STD program policies to a wide variety of individuals with or at risk of STDs.
  • Performs case analyses to identify the sources and spread related to the infection(s).
  • The incumbent manages assigned cases of Syphilis and HIV infection according to policy; prepares and submits all documents and reports associated with job assignment. 
  • The incumbent interviews, re-interviews and conducts cluster interviews of Syphilis patients and their contacts, suspects and associates; interviews/counsels patients tested for HIV infection and interviews/counsels the contacts and clusters of those with positive test results. The incumbent rapidly investigates and brings to examination contacts, suspects and associates identified through interviews; refers patients with a positive or a reactive test for evaluation and treatment. 
  • Communicates with public and private clinics, clinicians, hospitals, laboratories and other health care provider to obtain patient related information to assist in the location, treatment, and prevention of STDs. 
  • Performs clinical functions, obtains blood and urine specimens (in Clinic and Field), prepares laboratory orders and manifests and refers patients for medical evaluation and treatment.
  • Participates in clinical, community or impromptu screening activities and/or community education and/or targeted outreach programs. These activities will occur before, during or after normal working hours and/or on weekends or holidays.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  • Ability to work effectively with high-risk individuals with Sexually Transmitted Disease/HIV or other infectious diseases.
  • Ability to effectively interact and collaborate with others in multicultural settings.
  • Ability to maintain case files and documents, materials etc. in an organized and secure manner
  • Proficiency in the use of Microsoft computer applications including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, etc.
  • Ability to successfully complete HIV/AIDS 500/501 training within six months of employment.
  • Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
  • Ability to work additional hours as needed.
  • Ability to provide professional case management and client services.
  • Ability to learn software programs such as Health Management System (HMS), STARS, and others.

Qualifications:

Required:

  • Ability to perform venipuncture.
  • Fluency in English and Spanish (both verbal and written).
  • Complete the Passport Partner Services training within twelve months of employment.
  • American Heart Association Cardiopulmonary (CPR) certification within six months of employment. 
  • Possession of a valid Florida driver’s license and reliable transportation.
  • EMERGENCY DUTY- Incumbent may be required to work during or beyond normal work hours or days in the event of an emergency. Emergency duty required of the incumbent includes working in Special Needs or Red Cross Shelters, or to perform other emergency duties including, but not limited to, responses to or threats involving any disaster or threat of disaster, man-made or natural.

Preferred:

  • A Bachelor’s degree from an U. S. accredited college or university in health or science related field preferred or comparable level experience working in an STD/HIV and/or surveillance program.

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:

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:

Naples, FL

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. As an OPS employee, the benefits below are available:

  • State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (mandatory)
  • Participation in state group insurance (upon meeting eligibility requirements. Consult with People First and/or the serving HR office)
  • Workers’ Compensation (mandatory, if needed)
  • Reemployment Assistance (Unemployment Compensation) (mandatory, if needed)
  • Deferred Compensation (voluntary)
  • Employee Assistance Program (voluntary)
  • 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.

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