BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST II - 64004839

State of Florida • Saint Augustine, FL

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Florida Department of Health in St. Johns County (FDOH-SJC) is part of a statewide public health system. Our Mission – To protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts. Our Vision – To be the Healthiest State in the Nation. Our Values – Innovation, Collaboration, Accountability, Responsiveness, Excellence (ICARE). This is a highly sensitive and independent position that is responsible for surveillance, case investigation, and other disease control activities within the Epidemiology program at FDOH-SJC. The Epidemiology Program is responsible for surveillance and disease control activities of over 100 reportable diseases and conditions in St. Johns County and serves as FDOH-SJC primary Rabies investigator and program coordinator.

Requirements

• Knowledge of epidemiology, public health systems and communicable diseases.
• Knowledge of interviewing techniques.
• Skilled in written and oral communication.
• Ability to work independently but also work as part of a team when needed.
• Ability to communicate proficiently and effectively with clients and professionals.
• Ability to utilize MS Office programs and database management systems.
• Ability to complete data/statistical analysis, and scientific methods.
• Ability to prioritize and organize work assignments.
• FL Driver’s License
• 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 or Red Cross shelters, or performing other emergency duties including, but not limited to, responses to or threats involving any disaster or threat of disaster, manmade or natural.
• All Florida Department of Health positions require the incumbent to be able to learn and communicate effectively, orally and in writing, in English. Applicants who do not meet this requirement will not be considered.

Nice To Haves

• Completing Disease Intervention Specialist training.
• Completing HIV 500/501 certification training.

Responsibilities

• Conducting case investigations of assigned reportable illnesses and outbreaks following the Surveillance and Investigation Guidance.
• Interviewing individuals by telephone and, when necessary, in the field.
• Providing direct client information and education.
• Collecting information on appropriate case contacts for the purposes of testing, immunizing, and/or educating.
• Collecting specimens when appropriate and necessary.
• Assisting with data input and analysis.
• Completing Disease Intervention Specialist training.
• Contacting physician offices, laboratories, hospitals, and clients for information.
• Conducting medical record reviews as needed.
• Providing basic reporting information to medical providers when appropriate.
• Communicating with local agencies, as appropriate, in relation to disease spread and investigation.
• Coordinating with Environmental Public Health; health care agencies/providers; local, county and state partners; and additional disease control programs.
• Conducting regular surveillance for disease trends.
• Completing necessary forms, entering data into appropriate systems, and ensuring proper documentation.
• Interviewing individuals for investigating purposes as well as notifying, counseling, referring, and educating individuals related to case investigations.
• Coordinating with appropriate departments and agencies as necessary.
• Providing disease intervention and public health awareness related to STDs to internal and external partners as appropriate.
• Completing HIV 500/501 certification training.
• Entering accurate information into the necessary and appropriate systems and updating as needed.
• Inputting protected health information as needed into necessary and appropriate systems.
• Monitoring appropriate systems for community health trends and disease and syndrome clusters.
• Analyzing surveillance information and reporting appropriately.
• Conducting case investigations of assigned rabies cases according to the Surveillance and Investigation Guidance including the Rabies Guidance Documents.
• Contacting physician's offices, laboratories, hospitals, Veterinarian offices and clients for information to complete case investigation.
• Performing record reviews on hospital records when necessary.
• Providing basic information on reporting to physician offices or clinics when appropriate.
• Interviewing individuals by telephone and, when necessary, in the field.
• Providing direct client information and education which includes prevention.
• Compiling data to develop reports on rabies investigations.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• 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
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Tuition waivers

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed