BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST IV - 64086021

State of Florida • Fort Walton Beach, FL

1d

About The Position

This is a highly responsible position in the Epidemiology Section of the Okaloosa County Health Department under the direct supervision of the Epidemiology Section Chief. The position works in the Epidemiology Section conducting communicable disease and bioterrorism surveillance. The position must exercise considerable independent judgment and prudent decision making with limited supervision.

Requirements

• Apply surveillance protocols and data collection techniques for disease monitoring and investigations.
• Utilize terminology, principles, and techniques used in epidemiological research, analysis, data collection, and data management.
• Compile, organize, and analyze data for the purpose of monitoring and evaluating.
• Apply principles of good ethical/legal practice as they relate to study design and data collection, dissemination, and use.
• Apply knowledge of privacy laws to protect confidentiality, including Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and applicable state and local privacy laws.
• Communicate effectively in written, oral, and electronic formats using language tailored to a variety of lay and scientific audiences, in a culturally competent manner.
• Develop and deliver presentations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships within the organization and with community partners.
• Utilize problem-solving techniques.
• Ability to multitask.
• Effectively determine work priorities and ensure timely completion of work assignments.
• Newly graduated master’s degree with minimal experience but from a master’s program with a focus in epidemiology and/or analysis and assessment; or bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences, Biological Sciences, Epidemiology, Public Health, or Nursing with at least 2 years of experience performing epidemiology work required.

Responsibilities

• Epidemiologic Investigations - Responsible for conducting and participating in epidemiological investigations and disease surveillance activities in the Epidemiology Section.
• Identifies and evaluates a wide range of health conditions within an assigned program area to recognize public health problems pertinent to the population and to determine feasibility and approach to epidemiologic investigation.
• Tracks, monitors, and uses databases, such as Merlin and ESSENCE-FL for analysis of health problems to assess the potential public health impact.
• Performs onsite review of facilities and procedures, provides guidance, and interviews patients, health care providers, and others involved during disease investigations and outbreaks.
• Responsible for reporting findings in the disease surveillance computer system, Merlin.
• Leads and serves as resource for 7-day a week enhanced disease surveillance and outbreak response team unit responsible for responding to military, public safety, correctional, shelter operations, and other facilities as necessary.
• Serves as contact for community partners associated with team unit facilities.
• Works with Section Chief to evaluate quality improvement and assurance of unit team performance.
• Dissemination of Program Data, Information and Findings - Collaborates with scientists in the survey or investigation process, including conducting a search or review of existing literature and data in a scientific area, determining methodological techniques and processes, preparing written technical reports, and designing questionnaires and other data-collection instruments.
• Works with the local medical community to collect data, provide surveillance results (Sentry Flu Reporting Program/Weekly Flu Report), distribute communicable disease updates (Weekly Disease Surveillance Report), and encourage and increase reporting of communicable disease by private providers.
• Prepares and presents health promotion and disease prevention materials and/or presentations to internal and external clients.
• Serves as a leader and trainer for the Local Epidemiology Response Team (LERT) under the direction of the Epidemiology Section Chief.
• Responsible for the public health surveillance of disease outbreaks and other field epidemiological investigations of public health importance, such as disasters.
• Attends and completes trainings to maintain competencies.
• Prepares written reports for posting to EPICOM.
• Conducts research projects that involve data collection and analysis for studies related to programmatic evaluation and impact.
• Contributes to the development of the Community Health Assessment (CHA) through data analysis and interpretation of chronic disease, maternal and infant health, communicable diseases, injury patterns, etc., for Okaloosa County.
• Bioterrorism Surveillance - Responsible for coordination with the Public Health Preparedness Section for planning and response activities related to surveillance and response to biological, chemical, and nuclear threats or any other weapons of mass destruction.
• Works with Public Health Preparedness planners to develop plans for disease surveillance; isolation, quarantine and social distancing; and/or mass prophylaxis and immunization related to bioterrorist events.
• Works closely with the Environmental Health Section on disease investigations regarding outbreaks with primarily environmental or food and water borne origin.
• Responsible for the preparation, coordination, and meetings for LERT.
• Uses ESSENCE-FL, EPICOM, and Alert Okaloosa Emergency Alerting system to monitor for unlikely syndromic conditions that may indicate bioterrorism activity.
• Program Administration and Support - Provides support to the Tuberculosis and Fatality Review programs and staff and serves as backup to District 1 Medical Examiner’s Office Epidemiologist position, as needed.
• Assists in writing a quarterly newsletter for medical providers regarding communicable disease surveillance, reporting, and results of surveillance.
• Maintains records and reports as required.
• Performs administrative functions and works on assigned asks as needed.
• Participates in in-service education programs, conferences, and staff meetings.
• Conducts and attends training related to bioterrorism and serves as a resource to staff and the community.
• Provides enhanced surveillance and monitoring following natural or manmade disasters.
• May provide technical leadership and guidance and coordinate work of lower-level Epidemiologists, other professional staff, or technical and administrative staff, as assigned.
• Completes timesheet, EARS, and mandatory DOH training in a timely and accurate manner.
• Performs all other duties as assigned in support of the agency’s mission and vision.

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
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees