OPS HUMAN SERVICES COUNSELOR II - 64913038

State of Florida • Miami, FL

2d • Onsite

About The Position

This is an OPS Human Services Counselor II position in the Florida Department of Health, under the scope of the Frontlines of Communities in the United States (FOCUS) Program with the collaboration of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Immunization Services (EDC-IS). The purpose of this collaboration is to identify and to ensure that all adults identified as positive for HCV are referred to FOCUS hospitals and to community healthcare providers to receive HCV education, prevention services, enhance surveillance and linkage to care for HCV treatment. The OPS Human Services Counselor II will work in the Hepatitis Prevention Program housed in EDC-IS. The OPS Human Services Counselor II will work closely with the STD/HIV Program, on a case by case to ascertain clients reach holistic care. This collaboration will benefit clients in high-risk groups who traditionally do not visit standard medical clinics and become lost to follow up. The incumbent will work at locating clients lost to care through mailing and phone calls to facilitate their return to healthcare services with the goal of enrolling them without delay in HCV treatment programs. This staff will follow standard operating procedures aimed at decreasing the spread of HCV in the community. This position will report to the Community Health Nursing Consultant/Hepatitis Program Coordinator or to his/her designee. The OPS Human Services Counselor II will follow Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and information security regulations to ensure confidentiality and privacy of the client health information. This staff is expected to adhere to established Health Department policies and procedures.

The OPS Human Services Counselor II in this position will also collaborate with stakeholders to provide case management for clients receiving HCV treatment. OPS Human Services Counselor II will demonstrate the ability to work well with providers and healthcare workers as well as the uninsured, the clients in drug rehabilitation centers, the clients in homeless shelters and in community centers where HCV is known to be prevalent. The OPS Human Services Counselor activities will be entered in MERLIN. The OPS Human Services Counselor in this position will contribute to the Florida Department of Health strategic planning to ensure HCV linkage to care of vulnerable population is progressing toward the elimination of HCV complications. Coordinate linkage to care for uninsured HCV confirmed positive individuals. Collaborate with stakeholders to provide case management for clients receiving HCV treatment. Address barriers that prevent high-risk clients from being linked to HCV treatment. Assess patient readiness and willingness to adhere to treatment protocols.

Provide comprehensive disease and treatment specific education before and after treatment completion. Engage and build partnerships with community clinics, testing sites, syringe-exchange programs, and other communal organizations to increase reach and linkage. Assist in outreach efforts targeting high-risk populations (e.g., people who inject drugs, homeless individuals) Assist Senior Community Health Nurses in outreach activities aimed at decreasing the spread of Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B in the community. Document all outreach, referrals, and care coordination activities, maintain patient files and producing summaries or reports as required. Focus on activities decreasing gaps to care to avoid high cost of advanced liver disease and end-stage liver cancer caused by undiagnosed and untreated HCV. Collaborate with the community partners to advocate for clients confirmed positive for HCV to link them to care without delay. Contribute to the Florida Department of Health new strategic planning which is to ensure HCV linkage to care to vulnerable populations, thus eliminating the complications and the burden of HCV in the community. Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Knowledge of basic public health concepts, including an understanding of public health goals and practices.
• Knowledge of basic transmission and prevention facts regarding hepatitis A, B, and C.
• Proficiency using Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher and Outlook.
• Ability to assist clients in accessing community resource services, i.e., mental health centers, housing and transportation accommodations.
• Knowledge of navigation of insurance, specialty care referrals, clinical processes, and electronic health records (EHRs).
• Ability to recruit, engage, and inform clients using motivational interviewing and plain language materials.
• Knowledge of care coordination: scheduling appointments, follow-up, referrals, insurance support, transportation logistics.
• Communicate effectively across diverse cultural, socioeconomic, and risk-behavior backgrounds.
• Detailed oriented and able to multi-task.
• Knowledgeable of HIPAA standards of privacy and confidentiality.
• Ability to deal with the public in a tactful and courteous manner.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience working with diverse or high‑risk populations, including individuals who may be uninsured, experiencing homelessness, or in substance‑use treatment programs.
• Ability to learn and communicate effectively, orally and in writing, in English.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual in English and Spanish or English/Creole.
• Knowledge of community‑based health services, safety‑net providers, rehabilitation centers, shelters, and organizations serving high‑risk individuals.

Responsibilities

• Locate clients lost to care through mailing and phone calls to facilitate their return to healthcare services with the goal of enrolling them without delay in HCV treatment programs.
• Follow standard operating procedures aimed at decreasing the spread of HCV in the community.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to provide case management for clients receiving HCV treatment.
• Coordinate linkage to care for uninsured HCV confirmed positive individuals.
• Address barriers that prevent high-risk clients from being linked to HCV treatment.
• Assess patient readiness and willingness to adhere to treatment protocols.
• Provide comprehensive disease and treatment specific education before and after treatment completion.
• Engage and build partnerships with community clinics, testing sites, syringe-exchange programs, and other communal organizations to increase reach and linkage.
• Assist in outreach efforts targeting high-risk populations (e.g., people who inject drugs, homeless individuals).
• Assist Senior Community Health Nurses in outreach activities aimed at decreasing the spread of Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B in the community.
• Document all outreach, referrals, and care coordination activities, maintain patient files and producing summaries or reports as required.
• Focus on activities decreasing gaps to care to avoid high cost of advanced liver disease and end-stage liver cancer caused by undiagnosed and untreated HCV.
• Collaborate with the community partners to advocate for clients confirmed positive for HCV to link them to care without delay.
• Contribute to the Florida Department of Health new strategic planning which is to ensure HCV linkage to care to vulnerable populations, thus eliminating the complications and the burden of HCV in the community.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (mandatory)
• Participation in state group insurance (upon meeting eligibility requirements. Consult with People First and/or the serving HR office)
• Workers’ Compensation (mandatory, if needed)
• Reemployment Assistance (Unemployment Compensation) (mandatory, if needed)
• Deferred Compensation (voluntary)
• Employee Assistance Program (voluntary)

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED