OPS Biological Scientist IV
About The Position
The OPS-FOCUS Patient Navigator/Disease Intervention Specialist addresses multiple public health epidemics, including HIV, Hepatitis C, Syphilis, and the opioid epidemic. The role primarily provides support through a hospital Emergency Room, connecting people with positive diagnoses to healthcare services and coordinating initial appointments. The Navigator provides counseling, testing, and linkage services and collaborates with hospitals and community resources to improve patient access to care. The position is with the Department of Health in Pinellas County, located at 205 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr St N, St. Petersburg, Florida. It is an OPS position paid at $25 per hour. Incumbents may be required to perform emergency duty before, during, or beyond normal work hours or days.
Requirements
- Valid driver’s license.
- Knowledge of software applications.
- Interpersonal communication skills.
- Organization management skills.
- Basic computer operations and software application skills.
- Ability to successfully complete venipuncture.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently.
- Ability to communicate effectively in written and spoken English.
- Complete HIV/AIDS 500/501, STARS, Hepatitis C, and DISTA training within six months of employment.
- Must satisfy the position’s security background check and/or drug screening requirements.
Nice To Haves
- At least one year of experience in public health epidemics.
- At least one year of outreach experience.
Responsibilities
- Contact infected individuals to inform and educate them, conduct interviews about their diseases, gather relevant information, and document interactions.
- Link newly diagnosed and re-engaging patients to care, including referrals to medical and supportive services, particularly through the Florida Department of Health.
- Reach out to patients who have been lost to care by mail and phone to facilitate their return to healthcare services.
- Assess barriers to care, including transportation, mental health, and substance use challenges, and work with patients to address them.
- Follow up on outstanding patient results to support timely care and treatment.
- Complete patient documentation accurately in STARS and MERLIN and enter data related to patient care.
- Collaborate with Emergency Department staff to facilitate testing and maintain program continuity.
- Maintain relationships with referral sources and community-based services to enhance patient access to resources.
- Provide respectful, patient-focused customer service and unconditional positive regard in interactions.
- Comply with hospital policies, HIPAA regulations, and agreements between FDOH and Emergency Department staff.
- Support linkage-to-care services for patients with positive HIV, HCV, and Syphilis tests.
- Develop and implement linkage-to-care pathways for HIV, HCV, and Syphilis patients with hospitals, community partners, and FDOH.
Benefits
- State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (mandatory).
- Participation in state group insurance, subject to eligibility requirements.
- Workers’ Compensation (mandatory, if needed).
- Reemployment Assistance (Unemployment Compensation) (mandatory, if needed).
- Deferred Compensation (voluntary).
- Employee Assistance Program (voluntary).
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Education Level
No Education Listed
