OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST II - 64950220

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Open Competitive Opportunity

OPS Biological Scientist II

Specific Responsibilities:

•    The Biological Scientist II is an epidemiology position responsible for detecting, controlling, and preventing sexually transmitted diseases (STD) in Palm Beach County. This position may work in the field, office, clinical setting and visit jails. Provides direct disease intervention and public health awareness activities including but not limited to partner services, field investigations, screening, counseling, and referral services of individuals infected, exposed to or at-risk of infection from Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis or other biological agents. This position is cross trained in STD/Hepatitis surveillance and field operations. Perform phlebotomy routinely and conduct confidential field investigations.

•    Responsible for coordinating Electronic Reporting (ELR) cases and Electronic Faxes relating to gonorrhea chlamydia, syphilis, and HIV. Initiates field records to follow up on public and private reported cases of STDs and ensures positive tests for diseases are entered into the system (STARS). 

•    Ensures that notifiable STDs are reported by healthcare providers and laboratories in accordance with Florida statutes.  Communicates and visits with providers, hospitals, laboratories, and other health care facilities to obtain demographic, laboratory, clinical or other specific information; arrange medical evaluations and treatments for a client; and/or provide information on current reporting / treatment guidelines for communicable diseases. Records search various databases for verification and investigation including the Electronic Health Record (EHR) within HMS. Analyzes cases and assigns promptly for field investigation. 

•    Participates in outreaches to provide education, screening, and referral services to those who have not been identified of being infected but are at high risk of having or acquiring these infections. Provides oral and written presentations to healthcare workers, clients, and the community.

•    Provides assistance not considered part of routine duties including but not limited to: Epidemiological assistance to other County Health Department’s or program areas, public health awareness and emergency response situations. 

•    Responds to special requests and analysis of STD data. Creates and performs statistical narrative reports as needed. Maintains electronic files, laboratories and specialized records for STD and further contact investigation or follow up. The position is cross trained in STD/Hepatitis surveillance and field operations.  

•    Incumbent may be required to work before, during and/or beyond normal work hours or days in the event of an emergency.  Emergency duty required of the incumbent includes working in special needs shelters, or performing other emergency duties including, but not limited to, responses to or threats involving any disaster or threat of disaster, man-made or natural.

•    Performs other duties as assigned.

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:

851 Avenue P, Riviera Beach, FL 33404

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. As an OPS employee, the benefits below are available:

• 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)
• And more!

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

Please be advised:

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. 

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.