HUMAN SERVICES PROGRAM SPECIALIST - 64027506

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This position is in the Area 1 Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) Program under the supervision of the Community and Social Service Manager 1 SES.  This work requires a clear understanding of the confidentiality and security of HIV/AIDS activities.  Must maintain confidentiality regarding all client information.  Must Assures compliance with current Department of Health security policies by fulfilling the Information Custodian responsibilities described in Security Policy 3, areas of responsibilities. Ensures that data set (s) under this position’s responsibilities are available to those who need to know and protects the integrity of assigned dataset(s) and assists the Security Coordinator as needed to comply with policies and procedures. Travel will be required.

Collaborate and coordinate with HIV testing, linkage and Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS) staff at County Health Departments (CHD), public and private medical providers, HIV case managers, community-based organizations (CBO), Targeted Outreach for Pregnant Women Act (TOPWA) providers, perinatal linkage staff, State and County correctional staff, community health center, and other HIV testing sites to link HIV-positive individuals into the HIV/AIDS system of care throughout the area/county. Have knowledge of local care and treatment delivery system. Complete initial Ryan White Patient Care Eligibility Application when necessary and set up initial appointment(s) for access into the medical care system for these individuals. Follow up with the provider and individual to confirm that the individual kept their set appointment. Attend client initial linkage and/or re-engagement appointments, as necessary.

Coordinate with and act as a liaison to linkage specialists in Area 1 to ensure Linkage to Care (LTC) field records in the Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) STAR database are followed up on and closed out in a timely manner within the STD STAR database. Regularly monitor the status of all LTC field records for Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton Counties that make up Area 1 and provide technical assistance and training to linkage specialists to ensure the accuracy of linkage outcomes and timeliness of record close-outs. Ensure all newly diagnosed individuals are linked to care within 30 days.

Coordinate with local HIV/AIDS surveillance and STD program staff to ensure Data-to-Care line lists are worked in a timely manner. Communicate regularly with surveillance, STD, and other staff to assist with linkage and re-engagement activities for the area/county. Ensure information about each linkage/re-engagement is accurately documented and provided to surveillance staff for submission with the line list documentation, once complete.

Enter all testing, linkage and/or re-engagement services into the Health Management System (HMS), the State Ryan White CAREWare system, the STD STAR system and all other reporting systems as needed on a regular basis. Explore and disseminate information on existing community services that would assist HIV-positive individuals with the practical aspects of adherence such as transportation, obtaining needed medications, receiving Medicaid or private insurance, etc. Provide HIV education and information to HIV-positive individuals as needed. Identify HIV+ pregnant women who are at highest risk and appropriate for the Perinatal Linkage Program through screening and assessment.  Develop a written, client-centered prevention plan, based on ongoing assessments of risk and progress toward risk reduction.  Include a plan regarding family planning, baby spacing, or sterilization if desired. Provide multiple HIV risk-reduction counseling sessions during pregnancy and after birth if needed.  Coordinate active follow-up. Work closely with Healthy Start, Women Infants and Children (WIC), Children Medical Services (CMS), and any other case managers serving HIV+ pregnant women. Supports the HIV/AIDS Program and its ancillary staff and works with others to accomplish the goals of the department.  Maintains working knowledge of HIV testing, risk assessment and general HIV knowledge. Treats clients, the public and staff with courtesy, respect and dignity and presents a positive public image Act as the primary contact for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) Section Linkage Team. Participate on regular linkage/re-engagement calls and provide regular updates to the HIV/AIDS Section on any successes, challenges, or changes experienced with linkage/re-engagement efforts or staff.

Responsible for coordination of all outreach events in all four countries (Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton). Lead worker on all National HIV/AIDS events (National HIV Day, World AIDS Day, National HIV Testing Day, etc. Participates in Area 1 community resources meetings. Promotes health and HIV discussions in the community. Assists Community and Social Service Manager in completion of Prevention quarterly report. Lead Worker with Test and Treat clients.

Act as the primary contact for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) Section Linkage Team. Participate on regular linkage/re-engagement calls and provide regular updates to the HIV/AIDS Section on any successes, challenges, or changes experienced with linkage/re-engagement efforts or staff.

Provides Partner Services  in accordance with current STD HIV/AIDS Program policy to a wide variety of individuals infected with or at-risk of an STD, hepatitis, HIV/AIDS or other bacterial, biological and/or viral agent to elicit partner and suspect information. Utilizes information for epidemiological analysis to identify the source and spread cases related to the known infection.

IN-SERVICE/STAFF DEVELOPMENT:  Participates in in-service and staff development related to job performance.

Perform Other Related Duties as Assigned.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities, including utilization of equipment, required for the position:

• Knowledge of HIV, surveillance, prevention ad patient care components
• Knowledge of Florida Statues and rules regarding HIV
• Knowledge of social, economic, rehabilitation or health care service objectives
• Knowledge of Test and Treat
• Knowledge of PrEP and nPEP
• Knowledge of Routine HIV Testing
• Knowledge of the Ryan White program
• Knowledge of methods of compiling, organizing, and analyzing data
• Ability to develop manuals, policies, procedures, standards, and rules
• Ability to develop methods for monitoring and evaluating quality of service and compliance with rules, policies, and statutes
• Ability to review and evaluate plans and programs
• Ability to identify improvements and adjustments needed to insure program effectiveness and efficiency
• Ability to establish and maintain liaison with other agencies
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments
• Ability to communicate effectively 

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others

Minimum Qualifications:

• Experience working with high-risk clients
• 2 or more years as a Case Manager or a Care Coordinator
• Valid Driver’s License
• Successful completion of HIV 500/501 course within 6 months of hire

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/ Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) policies, guidelines, statutes, rules, etc.
• Experience working in healthcare or communicable disease programs
• Experience in HIV/STI testing and/or counseling is preferred
• At least 2-4 years of experience in the field of health education required
• Current HIV500/501 Certification
• Bachelor’s degree in health education, psychology, social services, or a related field from an accredited educational institution

Florida Department of Health Mission, Vision, and Values:

Mission:

To protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county & community efforts.

Vision:

To be the Healthiest State in the Nation.

Values:

 I nnovation: We search for creative solutions and manage resources wisely.

C ollaboration: We use teamwork to achieve common goals & solve problems.

A ccountability: We perform with integrity & respect.

R esponsiveness: We achieve our mission by serving our customers & engaging our partners.

E xcellence: We promote quality outcomes through learning & continuous performance improvement.

Where You Will Work:

1295 W. Fairfield Drive; Pensacola, FL 32501

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:

•  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.

•  And more!

For a more complete list of benefits, including monthly costs, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

Please be advised:

This position is not eligible for telework.

Your responses to qualifying questions for this position must be verifiable by documentation provided through the electronic application process. 

This position requires a security background check and/or drug screening and participation in direct deposit. Any misrepresentations or omissions will disqualify you from employment consideration. Note: You will be required to provide your Social Security Number (SSN) in order to conduct this background check Successful completion of a drug test is a condition of employment for safety-sensitive positions.

Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion unless they are registered with the Selective Services System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. For more information, please visit the SSS website: http://www.sss.gov

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida.  Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement.

The successful candidate will be required to complete the Form I-9 and that information will be verified using the E-Verify system.  E-Verify is operated by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration to verify employment eligibility.

Incumbents may be required to perform emergency duty before, during, and/or beyond normal work hours or days.

All Florida Department of Health positions require the incumbent to be able to learn and communicate effectively, orally and in writing, in English. Applicants who do not meet this requirement will not be considered.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-877-562-7287). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

Florida has the third largest population of veterans in the nation with more than 1.5 million service men and women.  The Florida Department of Health (department) is committed to serving members of the United States Armed Forces, veterans and their families by encouraging them to apply for vacancies that fit their area of knowledge and/or expertise.  Through the Department's VALOR program, which expedites licensing for military veterans, the Department also waives initial licensing and application fees for military veterans who apply for a health care professional license within 60 months of an honorable discharge. These initiatives help ensure that the transition from military service into the workforce is as smooth as possible and reflects our appreciation for the dedication devoted to protecting our country.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.