OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST IV - 64857347

State of Florida • Saint Petersburg, FL

4d • Onsite

About The Position

This is an in-office position within the Division of Disease Control and Health Protection. The incumbent is responsible for conducting ongoing countywide surveillance activities and providing essential analytic and evaluative support to strengthen the surveillance efforts of the Agency and the wider community.

Requirements

• Knowledge of Epidemiology and Infectious Disease processes
• Knowledge of Public Health Surveillance
• Skilled in coordinating on-site and remote infection control assessments
• Skilled in outbreak investigations
• Skilled in data analysis and reporting
• Ability to maintain collaborative working relationship
• Ability to identify disease threats and provide guidance on public health control
• At least 1 year experience in an office-setting
• Valid Driver's license

Nice To Haves

• Certification in Infection Control
• Master’s degree in Public Health or related field
• Registered Nurse (RN), BSN, MSN, or APRN
• One (1) year of experience working as an Epidemiologist in an applied epidemiology program

Responsibilities

• Performs investigation, data entry, and follow-up for the prevention and control of communicable diseases including, but not limited to: healthcare associated infections (HAI), reportable diseases, foodborne and waterborne illnesses, general infectious diseases, and influenza (seasonal and pandemic).
• The incumbent performs daily surveillance, data analysis, and management using ESSENCE, Merlin data systems, Epi Gateway, and other databases as needed.
• Follow up on all Electronic Laboratory Reports (ELR) and faxed reports within assigned HAIs to include but not limited to: collecting basic demographics and clinical information on suspected cases, confirming diagnosis, determining probable source of infection, determining mode of transmission, determining extent of spread, and recommending appropriate control measures.
• Coordinate point prevalence surveys as needed.
• Collect and transmits appropriate laboratory specimens for diagnostic study.
• Monitor clients and susceptible clients during potentially infectious period or period of probable onset for proper follow-up on control measures.
• Maintains adequate records of essential information relevant to the communicable disease investigation.
• Provides communicable disease alerts as necessary to contain the spread of communicable diseases.
• Collaborates with infection control practitioners in hospitals, nursing homes, and other facilities for the identification, investigation, and control of infectious diseases.
• Prepares surveillance reports, data summaries, and other written documentation for publication, presentation, or dissemination.
• Creates graphs and charts to illustrate data.
• Conduct studies and investigations related to outbreaks of public health significance.
• Coordinate infection control assessments.
• Coordinate laboratory support for testing and typing of HAI-related specimens and isolates.
• Provide appropriate containment and transmission guidance for novel or targeted multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs).
• Utilize Florida’s surveillance system, Merlin, to track outbreaks and investigations.
• Serve as subject matter experts on CDC guidance.
• Provide specific data to support and identify trends of targeted organism(s) at a local level.
• Work with facilities such as, long term care facilities, dialysis facilities, dental, outpatient care facilities, rehab centers, and additional group settings as needed and identified to improve prevention activities, outbreak detection and reporting.
• Provide quarterly trainings to county health departments on infection prevention and control to increase their capacity to serve as a resource when responding to MDROs and HAI outbreaks.
• Participate in MDRO/HAI outbreak investigations onsite.
• Analyze Merlin data to identify opportunities for improving emerging threat detection and making recommendations for health care facilities that have the greatest need for improvement based on surveillance data.
• Consult Project First Line Educators to provide onsite education and training in response to identified infection control gaps. Minimum 80% facility participation during training/education events.
• Submit completed reports into REDCap as instructed and saved into the appropriate HAI SharePoint folder.
• Provide written report with recommendations within 72 hours of the completed assessment to the facility.
• Conduct follow up assessment (onsite or telephone) within four weeks of completed report to evaluate for implementation of recommendations.
• Provide additional support for regional trainings in collaboration with Project First Line Educators in each region for LTCF on infection prevention and control. Goal of 60% facility participation in each region.
• Using NHSN and Merlin data to assist with response and mitigation efforts.
• Work with identified CHD LTCF liaisons to assess areas of concern and priorities for outreach.
• Assist with regional outbreak response trainings/drills (e.g., acute care hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, long term acute care hospitals, BPHL, CHDs, coalition groups).
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
• Attends infection control meetings at assigned hospitals to share and yield vital information.
• Provides information on the prevention, transmission, surveillance and control of infectious diseases to community, clients, or health care professional groups.
• Participates in training programs, educational conferences to keep informed of preparedness and epidemiological issues.

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