OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST III - 64906968

State of Florida • Fort Lauderdale, FL

9d • Onsite

About The Position

This is an OPS (Other Personal Services) position working in the Overdose Data to Action: Limiting Overdose through Collaborative Actions in Localities (OD2A-L) program at the Florida Department of Health in Broward County (DOH-Broward). This program is funded by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC). This position works under the direct supervision of the OD2A Program Manager, within the Division of Community Health. The position requires utilization of complex epidemiologic analytic techniques and involves collection of information regarding individual case reports as well as participation in outbreak investigations. Through this position, DOH-Broward will enhance the timelines of morbidity and mortality data by conducting drug overdose surveillance, using Florida’s syndromic surveillance system (SyS), Electronic Surveillance System for the Early Notification of Community-based Epidemics (ESSENCE) data investigation. ESSENCE is a bio surveillance system that collects emergency department chief complaint data from participating hospitals and urgent care centers in Florida enabling detection and continuous monitoring of community health incidents such as the opioid epidemic. Additionally, this position will serve as a custodian for the communicable disease database, paper reports, playing a key role in maintaining the integrity of epidemiological data. The incumbent will also be responsible for the organization and upkeep of the epidemiology work area and individual workspaces.

Requirements

• Possess a valid driver's license, free of major infractions and access to an automobile to be utilized for work purposes and willing to drive to multiple sites as required by program needs.
• Bachelor's degree in a health-related field from an accredited college or university.
• Professional experience conducting data analysis.
• Professional experience writing data reports.
• All Florida Department of Health positions require the incumbent to be able to learn and communicate effectively, orally and in writing, in English.

Nice To Haves

• One (1) or more years of experience conducting epidemiological case investigations.
• One (1) or more years of experience using ESSENCE.

Responsibilities

• Support investigations of opioid related chief complaints and spikes identified through ESSENCE.
• Ability to assist in initiating case investigations, under the direction of surveillance supervisors.
• Ability to contribute to the development and dissemination of local level opioid-related reports to public health partners.
• Ability to assist in preparing and delivering engaging oral and written presentations to health department employees and the community, contributing to public health education.
• Ability to assist with ESSENCE surveillance activities and provide technical support to acute care and freestanding emergency departments.
• Ability to assist in the development of GIS mapping based on surveillance data, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of the epidemiological landscape.
• Support the development and maintenance of GIS mapping products to reflect surveillance data sections and community partners.
• Participate in teleconferences, EpiCom, and various meetings to share regional and state information.
• Manage health information across multiple hospitals in accordance with HIPAA requirements.
• Collaborate with healthcare providers to ensure compliance with communicable disease reporting rules.
• Request hospital medical records unavailable electronically and obtain them via fax or mail.
• Abstract hospital medical record data and enter it into REDCap.
• The incumbent will also be responsible for the organization and upkeep of the epidemiology work area and individual workspaces.

Benefits

• Health benefits will be offered for full-time employment.
• OPS employees are eligible to participate in a deferred compensation plan.
• 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

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level