NURSING PROGRAM SPECIALIST - 64061423

State of Florida

11d • $65,000 - $70,000 • Onsite

About The Position

This Nursing Program Specialist position is responsible for supervising the Tuberculosis (TB) program and providing specialized TB case management and clinical services within the Communicable Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) clinics of the Florida Department of Health in Collier County (Collier CHD). The role operates in accordance with Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines and DOH policies, procedures, and guidelines, requiring independent work within the scope of practice defined by Florida Statute 464 and adherence to OSHA guidelines for respiratory and bloodborne pathogens. A significant portion of the role involves supervisory responsibilities, including staff appraisals, planning and directing work, approving leave, and having authority for hiring and disciplinary actions. The incumbent is also tasked with developing performance expectations, conducting reviews, managing schedules, and ensuring proper coverage. This position carries a moderate risk of exposure to respiratory pathogens, necessitating semi-annual TB assessments. Furthermore, the specialist contributes to the organization's culture of performance excellence through continuous improvement efforts and demonstrates the Department's ICARE values. The position reports to the Director of the Communicable Disease Control and Prevention Division and involves collaborative teamwork.

Requirements

• Ability to work independently within scope of practice as designated by Florida Statute (FS) 464.
• Ability to follow Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines and practices related to respiratory and blood borne pathogens.
• Case management experience.
• Experience providing care to TB patients.
• Current knowledge in management of persons with TB and certain comorbidities.
• Experience documenting in an electronic health record system.
• Experience using Excel and database applications in the work setting.
• Licensure as a Registered Nurse in accordance with Florida Statute 464 or eligible to practice nursing in accordance with Florida Administrative Code 210-8.27 or possess a nursing multi-state license through the Nurse Licensure Compact.
• Completion of CDC TB modules (within 6 months of hire).
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification (within 6 months of hire).
• HIV/AIDS Counseling and Testing certification (500/501 course) (within 6 months of hire).
• Current driver’s license, reliable transportation, and willingness to use personal vehicle for business related travel.
• Ability to wear an N-95 respirator.
• Required disaster training - Incident Command System (ICS) 100, 200, 300, 400, 700 & 800 are to be completed within 90 days of employment.
• Information Custodian for the following data sets: LTBI Tickler Cards; Collier County Health Department (Collier CHD) Employee TB Assessment Database.
• Two years of Registered Nurse (RN) hospital or clinic experience.
• Experience working in a Public Health setting.
• Experience and willingness to make home visits and field visits (schools, jails, etc.).
• Experience performing venipuncture and placing and reading TB skin test.
• Ability to learn and communicate effectively, orally and in writing, in English.

Nice To Haves

• Fluent (oral and written) in another language in addition to English.

Responsibilities

• Supervises the TB program and provides specialized Tuberculosis (TB) case management and clinical services for the Communicable Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) clinics in the Florida Department of Health in Collier County (Collier CHD), in accordance with Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines and DOH policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Supervises staff including appraisals, planning and directing their work, approving leave and having the authority for hiring and taking disciplinary action or effectively recommending such actions.
• Develops performance expectations, meets with staff regularly to discuss performance, completes performance reviews, maintains vacation and work schedules, ensuring proper coverage, and completes timesheets.
• Contributes to the organization’s culture of performance excellence by actively seeking to improve personal and organizational performance through measurement, analysis, knowledge management, and processes improvements and participation in performance management committees, councils, and/or workgroups.
• Continuously demonstrates the Department’s ICARE values.
• Directs services of the Collier CHD TB Program (Both Naples and Immokalee sites) including contact investigation and contact evaluation activities, reviewing the Aggregate Reports for Tuberculosis Program Evaluation (ARPES) for all TB clients and participating in Collier CHD and Regional TB Quality Assurance (QA)/Quality Improvement (QI) activities.
• Provides case management for suspect and active TB cases in accordance with DOH policies and technical assistance guidelines, Collier CHD policies, procedures, and protocols and medical standing orders.
• Effectively manages the assigned case load and enters documentations in Health Management System (HMS), and/or Florida Shots accurately and timely.
• Performs contact investigation for suspect/active pulmonary TB cases and enters contact investigation data into the TB contact module.
• Provides client assessment and case management for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in accordance with DOH policies and technical assistance guidelines and DOH-Collier policies and procedures.
• Accurately documents all LTBI case management and interventions in HMS.
• Conducts accurate patient assessment, for all functional areas assigned, based on client diagnosis and needs which may include health history, allergies, current medications, signs and symptoms, physical assessment, vital signs, hearing and vision testing, behavioral and social information, and risk factors.
• Participates in quality improvement initiatives such as case reviews, cohort reviews and chart audits.
• Provides formal and informal education to community organizations, providers, and individuals related to TB screening, treatment, and disease.
• Assists in orientation of new nurses and paraprofessionals in clinical areas.
• Mentors nursing and paraprofessional staff.
• Provides clinical supervisory coverage as necessary.
• Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor.

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: Manager
• Education Level: Associate degree