BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST II - 64082202

State of Florida • Riviera Beach, FL

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

This is a Biological Scientist II position in the Epidemiology program responsible for detecting, controlling and preventing Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) in Palm Beach County Health Department (CHD) to promote long, healthy life and allow every individual to attain his or her full health potential. This position works in field, office and clinical settings, and may have to visit jails. Work is performed under the supervision of the Biological Scientist Ill-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 serves in a professional capacity, providing direct disease intervention and public health awareness activities including but not limited to partner services, case investigations, screening, counseling and referral services of individuals exposed to or at-risk of infection from Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis or other biological agents. This position will be cross trained in STD/Hepatitis surveillance and field operations. Perform phlebotomy routinely and conduct confidential field investigations.
This position is a designated 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 have access to Surveillance Tools And Reporting System (STARS), Health Management System (HMS). 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.
Conducts field investigations to provide partner services to individuals infected with or at-risk of STDs including Hepatitis, HIV/AIDS or other infections. Locates patients to conduct epidemiologic interviews and educate them regarding their infections and risk reduction; provides referral to appropriate medical care and verify appropriate treatment; develops plans to locate and refer their sex and needle sharing partners and others at risk for infection for medical evaluation; performs cluster interviews with persons determined to be potential information sources for known cases; performs field serologic screenings for individuals considered to be at risk. Uses State vehicles to conduct field visits and provides transportation for patients as needed. Consults with providers or lab personnel to stimulate case reporting; obtain information on cases; accommodate partner services for private patients; and provide current information on diagnosis and treatment. Verifies demographics and clinical information from Electronic Health Record (EHR) within HMS. Documents all investigative efforts in the STD epidemiologic database STARS.
Ensures notifiable STD's are reported by healthcare providers and laboratories in accordance with Florida statutes. Ensures positive tests for diseases are entered to STARS database. Communicates with 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 investigations.
Participates in outreaches 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 these infections. Provides oral and written presentations to healthcare workers, clients and the community. These responsibilities may take place before, during, or after standard work hours, including weekends and holidays, and may occur in field, community, or clinical settings.
Effectively 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.
Cooperate with the Program Manager and Biological Scientists III in quality assurance reviews and training of new team members.
Cooperate with Surveillance to capture, update, and enter information reported from Electronic Faxes relating to gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis and HIV.
Participate in emergency preparedness and readiness for any potential outbreaks in STDs/Hepatitis or other emerging health threats as directed by the program. 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.
Serves as a backup and performs fieldwork in the control and prevention of Tuberculosis (TB) Conduct field visits to provide Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) / Directly Observed Preventive Therapy (DOPT); patient and family education on Tuberculosis and processes of care; assist in specimen collection such as sputa and blood; assists in the conduction of epidemiological investigations to identify contacts as needed.
Provides support services which are not considered to be routine in the STD program.
Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• 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.
• 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.
• Travel throughout Palm Beach County.
• Occasionally required to lift and/or move objects up to 20 lbs.
• Required to complete training including Driving Impact through Strategic Training in Applied Public Health (DISTA)
• Requires to Safely wear a tight fitting N95 respirator (or other reasonable accommodation).
• Must learn and perform phlebotomy routinely.
• The incumbent in this position may be required to use vehicles owned, leased, or operated by the state or county to conduct official state business.
• All Florida Department of Health positions require the incumbent to be able to learn and communicate effectively, orally and in writing, in English.

Responsibilities

• Conducts field investigations to provide partner services to individuals infected with or at-risk of STDs including Hepatitis, HIV/AIDS or other infections.
• Locates patients to conduct epidemiologic interviews and educate them regarding their infections and risk reduction.
• Provides referral to appropriate medical care and verify appropriate treatment.
• Develops plans to locate and refer their sex and needle sharing partners and others at risk for infection for medical evaluation.
• Performs cluster interviews with persons determined to be potential information sources for known cases.
• Performs field serologic screenings for individuals considered to be at risk.
• Uses State vehicles to conduct field visits and provides transportation for patients as needed.
• Consults with providers or lab personnel to stimulate case reporting; obtain information on cases; accommodate partner services for private patients; and provide current information on diagnosis and treatment.
• Verifies demographics and clinical information from Electronic Health Record (EHR) within HMS.
• Documents all investigative efforts in the STD epidemiologic database STARS.
• Ensures notifiable STD's are reported by healthcare providers and laboratories in accordance with Florida statutes.
• Ensures positive tests for diseases are entered to STARS database.
• Communicates with 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 investigations.
• Participates in outreaches 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 these infections.
• Provides oral and written presentations to healthcare workers, clients and the community.
• Effectively 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.
• Cooperate with the Program Manager and Biological Scientists III in quality assurance reviews and training of new team members.
• Cooperate with Surveillance to capture, update, and enter information reported from Electronic Faxes relating to gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis and HIV.
• Participate in emergency preparedness and readiness for any potential outbreaks in STDs/Hepatitis or other emerging health threats as directed by the program.
• 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.
• Serves as a backup and performs fieldwork in the control and prevention of Tuberculosis (TB)
• Conduct field visits to provide Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) / Directly Observed Preventive Therapy (DOPT).
• Patient and family education on Tuberculosis and processes of care.
• Assist in specimen collection such as sputa and blood.
• Assists in the conduction of epidemiological investigations to identify contacts as needed.
• Provides support services which are not considered to be routine in the STD program.
• 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