GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS CONSULTANT I - 64001656

State of Florida • South Highpoint, FL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is detailed to Pinellas County Health Department from the Bureau of Epidemiology, Immunization Section. This position entails independent work under the supervision of the State Health Office Immunization Section providing evaluation, technical assistance, management, consultation, and coordination for a statewide immunization program. In an assigned geographic area, which Includes a large, diverse, urban population, this employee is responsible for their part in achieving state and national immunization objectives consistent with federal immunization grant requirements. The Incumbent assists in the implementation of program activities and desired outcomes by coordination and working with county health department (CHD) staff, other staff from the Department of Health, Department of Children and Families, managed care organizations, and private health care provides. The incumbent provides reports as required by The Immunization Section, including written reports describing progress toward achieving program goals, with specific explanations for unmet goals and plans to overcome barriers to their attainment. The activities are varied and complex, as indicated below, and are designed to improve immunization levels and reduce vaccine-preventable disease morbidity and mortality in Florida. This position serves as information custodian for specified information sets in accordance with completed form DH 1151, information custodian delegation of authority, and maintains departmental, division and bureau security policies, protocols, and procedures for protection of data and release of confidential information. This position also serves as key custodian for specified secure areas in accordance with completed form DH 1155, key custodian delegation of Authority. and maintains departmental, division and bureau security policies and procedures for protection of data and release of confidential information.

Enhanced Service Delivery - Conducts quality assurance and quality improvement activities in the public and private sector to generate provider specific feedback on progress toward the implementation of the Standards for Pediatric Immunization Practice, meeting state and national Immunization coverage objectives, and compliance with requirements of the Vaccines for Children (VFC) and assessment, feedback, incentives, and exchange programs. Uses results for reviews and expertise to provide appropriate recommendations or assistance to correct problems and foster improvement in Immunization program management. Disseminates information in person and in writing to appropriate staff to facilitate needed changes. Also, provides ongoing technical assistance to immunization providers as needed.

Assessments, Surveys and Audits - Collects, compiles, evaluates, and submits statistical data as requested or required by The Immunization Section, including the immunization status of two-year old children, school children, attendees in childcare or head start centers. Also, collects date on immunization policies covering individuals in hospitals, colleges, universities, and other Institutions. Uses results to pursue corrective action when necessary.

Immunizations Information Systems - Functions as a resource for the state's immunization information system, Florida State Health Online Tracking System (FL SHOTS), by providing information, coordination, and support to public and private health care providers and assisting them with utilizing FL SHOTS as a tool to assess immunization coverage rates.

Targeting Interventions toward "Pockets of Need" - Assists CHDs in (1) Identifying geographic areas where sub-populations at high risk for under Immunization reside; (2) Measuring immunization coverage in those areas, and most importantly; (3) Implementing measures designed to achieve high coverage among high-risk groups in these areas.

Linkages with Managed Care Organization (MCOs) and other Private Sector health care providers - Works closely with MCOs and MOO-enrolled providers to institute quality improvement measures that ensure compliance with the recommendations of ACIP and the standards for pediatric immunization practices. Assists in implementing the immunization provisions contained in the "Managed Care and Publicly Funded Primary Care Program Coordination Ad" (section 381.0407, Florida Statutes) by collaborating with area MediPass coordinators and medicaid area administrators. Encourages enrollment in the VFC program for private providers who serve children less than19 years of age.

Training Outreach and Community Education – Develop and provides training on all aspects of immunization activities for professional and volunteer groups. Assists coalitions in identifying strategies to increase immunization levels in the preschool population. Work to maintain public awareness concerning the importance of immunization by providing training and coordinating resource for immunization questions for the general public. 

Surveillance and Outbreak Control – Assists in vaccine-preventable disease surveillance and outbreak control activities including investigation and containment of outbreaks and coordination of perinatal hepatitis B prevention activities.

Vaccine Management – Provides hands on assistance with public and private providers to ensure that less than 5% of state supplied vaccine is unaccounted for and that wastage is kept to an absolute minimum. Assists county health department in carrying out the vaccine management polices contained in the County Health Department Guidebook. Works with CHDs to develop and carry out plans to maintain vaccine accountability at or above 95%. Assist public and private providers in properly handling and storing vaccines provide to them by the state.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Knowledge of the Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases.
• Knowledge of the Standards for Pediatric Immunization Practices.
• Knowledge of Florida Statutes pertaining to immunizations for enrollment or participation in school, childcare, and public assistance programs.
• Knowledge of state and federal requirements related to the Vaccines for Children Program, the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System. and the use of Vaccine Information Statements.
• Knowledge of the state immunization registry, FL SHOTS.
• Knowledge of County Health Department Guidebook immunization policies and technical assistance.
• Ability to operate the Health Management System (HMS).
• Ability to conduct vaccine inventories.
• High School Diploma

Nice To Haves

• 1 year Immunizations experience

Responsibilities

• Conducts quality assurance and quality improvement activities in the public and private sector
• Collects, compiles, evaluates, and submits statistical data
• Functions as a resource for the state's immunization information system, Florida State Health Online Tracking System (FL SHOTS)
• Assists CHDs in Identifying geographic areas where sub-populations at high risk for under Immunization reside
• Works closely with MCOs and MOO-enrolled providers to institute quality improvement measures
• Develop and provides training on all aspects of immunization activities for professional and volunteer groups
• Assists in vaccine-preventable disease surveillance and outbreak control activities including investigation and containment of outbreaks and coordination of perinatal hepatitis B prevention activities.
• Provides hands on assistance with public and private providers to ensure that less than 5% of state supplied vaccine is unaccounted for and that wastage is kept to an absolute minimum.
• Perform 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: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED