HEALTH EDUCATOR - 64004845

State of Florida

2d • $43,000 - $45,000 • Onsite

About The Position

This is a Career Service Health Educator position working for the Lee County Health Department.

The Health Educator, under the supervision of the Health Education Program Manager-SES, must be totally versed and knowledgeable about HIV and AIDS prevention and education. The incumbent in this position must be able to act independently and have the initiative needed to seek out innovative, evidence-based ways to teach HIV prevention. The incumbent will provide technical assistance as a subject matter expert (SME), collaborating with the Lee County School District Health Professionals. This SME will serve as a resource for the latest evidence-based prevention models in HIV/AIDS education for youth, adolescents, and high risks groups. This incumbent will promote the Center for Disease Control (CDC) sponsored philosophy of normalization of HIV testing and High Impact Prevention strategies. This position is classified as a sensitive position. The Incumbent handles protected health information on a need to know basis following Department of Health, HIPAA and Information Security Policy, Protocols and Procedures. Employee abides by State/Federal laws governing health information. Responsible to maintain confidentiality, security, privacy and integrity of protected health information. This position has access to the following information sets: STD, HIV/AIDS Case Reports, Health Management System (HMS), Family Planning, and HIV testing. This position serves a large population of Spanish speaking clients, and the employee is required to perform interpreter duties.

This professional is responsible for managing, planning, implementing, and evaluating all prevention education and disease intervention in the HIV program. Provides classes and workshops, such as the HIV/AIDS 500/501-client centered counseling, testing, and partner counseling and referral services.

Continually coordinates, develops, promotes, and implements HIV/AIDS prevention education programs, both internally and externally to staff, civic groups, schools, and school health professionals, lay audiences, and the public. Participates in health fairs, community projects and other local projects that will fulfill outreach/prevention responsibilities for the citizens of Lee County. This professional must be able to do counseling and testing at various sites throughout the community. Will work with variety of healthcare professionals to incorporate routine HIV testing in all clinical settings. HIV prevention education will focus on youth, adolescents and previously identified high risk groups. Promotes routine HIV Testing in clinical settings, both public and private. Assists with linking newly diagnosed clients to care or re-engaging HIV clients who have fallen out of care.

Serves as a resource person for technical knowledge in the areas of HIV/AIDS within and outside the department. Provides current information to all new employees during orientation and acts as a consultant to the staff when the need arises. Orders sufficient, current educational material for dissemination during workshops, classes, seminars, and in health department clinics. Coordinates, prepares, and distributes HIV/AIDS materials and mass media releases in coordination with the Public Information Officer and DOH Bureau of HIV/AIDS as necessary.

Documents all information for use in reports, statistics, monitoring and quality assurance. Keeps current with Bureau of HIV/AIDS guidelines, attending continuing education sessions, reading professional journals, and following changes in Florida statutes.
Completes Employee Activities Reports (EARS) in a timely and correct manner as mandated by policy and procedure.

Information Custodian: This position has the responsibility of being the Information Custodian for the HIV Testing information set and will perform related duties as defined in DOHP 50-10.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Knowledge of social, economic, rehabilitative or health care services, administration or planning techniques.
• Knowledge of methods of compiling, organizing, and analyzing data.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of health education.
• Knowledge of standard business formats & styles for letters & business forms.
• Skill in operating a personal computer.
• Ability to operate general office equipment.
• Ability to follow office procedures & practices.
• Ability to organize & maintain filing systems.
• Ability to handle telephone calls in a courteous & effective manner.
• Ability to operate audiovisual equipment.
• Ability to develop program manuals, policies, procedures, standards, and rules.
• Ability to analyze the effectiveness of service programs and identify resources or adjustments needed to meet needs.
• Ability to plan, organize & coordinate work assignments & communicate effectively verbally & in writing.
• Ability to review data for accuracy & completeness.
• Ability to work independently or with minimal supervision.
• Ability to provide health education services to others.
• Ability to frequently use telephone, computer, copier and small hand tools, i.e., stapler, scissors, etc.
• Ability to conduct research studies.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to work independently or with minimal supervision.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to stand and walk for long period of time.
• Ability to frequently bend, kneel, reach, and sit or stand for long periods of time.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds as needed.
• High School Diploma or GED
• Certified as an HIV/AIDS 500/501 counselor or obtain such certification during employment
• Certified as an HIV/AIDS 500/501 counselor or obtain such certification during employment.
• Incumbent may be required to work before, during and/or beyond normal work hours or days in the event of an emergency.
• Incumbent must possess a valid Florida Driver License and have a motor vehicle to carry out these duties.
• Transporting Confidential Information: This position is authorized to transport confidential information outside of established DOH-Lee facilities and must comply with parameters defined in DOHP 50-10.
• Selected immunizations or titers and/or periodic screening for tuberculosis may be recommended for this position.
• This position will abide by all state and federal laws, rules, and DOH policies and procedures.
• This position is classified as sensitive. This individual will perform tasks defined as sensitive and handles confidential information. Background screening is a condition of employment.

Responsibilities

• Managing, planning, implementing, and evaluating all prevention education and disease intervention in the HIV program.
• Providing classes and workshops, such as the HIV/AIDS 500/501-client centered counseling, testing, and partner counseling and referral services.
• Continually coordinates, develops, promotes, and implements HIV/AIDS prevention education programs, both internally and externally to staff, civic groups, schools, and school health professionals, lay audiences, and the public.
• Participating in health fairs, community projects and other local projects that will fulfill outreach/prevention responsibilities for the citizens of Lee County.
• Counseling and testing at various sites throughout the community.
• Working with variety of healthcare professionals to incorporate routine HIV testing in all clinical settings.
• Focusing HIV prevention education on youth, adolescents and previously identified high risk groups.
• Promoting routine HIV Testing in clinical settings, both public and private.
• Assisting with linking newly diagnosed clients to care or re-engaging HIV clients who have fallen out of care.
• Serving as a resource person for technical knowledge in the areas of HIV/AIDS within and outside the department.
• Providing current information to all new employees during orientation and acts as a consultant to the staff when the need arises.
• Ordering sufficient, current educational material for dissemination during workshops, classes, seminars, and in health department clinics.
• Coordinating, preparing, and distributing HIV/AIDS materials and mass media releases in coordination with the Public Information Officer and DOH Bureau of HIV/AIDS as necessary.
• Documenting all information for use in reports, statistics, monitoring and quality assurance.
• Keeping current with Bureau of HIV/AIDS guidelines, attending continuing education sessions, reading professional journals, and following changes in Florida statutes.
• Completing Employee Activities Reports (EARS) in a timely and correct manner as mandated by policy and procedure.
• Performing related duties as defined in DOHP 50-10.
• Performing 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 (For more information, please click www.myfrs.com);
• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Tuition waivers;

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED