OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST IV - 64852301

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Division of Disease Control and Health Protection

Bureau of Epidemiology

Job Title: OPS Biological Scientist IV

Work Location: Region 1 & 2: Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes, Washington, Bay, Jackson, Calhoun, Gulf, Liberty, Gadsden, Franklin, Leon, Wakulla, Jefferson, Madison, Taylor, Hamilton, Suwannee, Lafayette, Dixie, Columbia

Position Number: 64852301

Requisition: 826620

Requestion Salary: $35.00 - $43.00

Your Specific Responsibilities:

The Regional Infection Preventionist position will work to serve all counties within their jurisdiction to provide timely infection prevention and control response and prevention support, provide education and collaborate with county health departments to assist with HAI/AR-related needs.

Serve as subject matter experts on HAI/AR. Provide guidance and recommendations.

Review NHSN reports, analyze Merlin (state surveillance system) and other data to identify opportunities for improving emerging threat detection. Use these data to drive outreach for conducting a response or prevention infection control assessment and response (ICAR). Conduct continual outreach to health care facilities to identify ongoing/new infection prevention and control needs.

Conduct a minimum of 10 ICAR assessments (on-site) within health care facilities (e.g., long term care facilities, hemodialysis centers, dental, outpatient, acute care hospitals), rehabilitation centers and additional congregate settings as needed and identified each month.

Create a written report with recommendations within 1 week of the completed assessment to the facility.

Conduct a follow up assessment within 3-4 weeks of completing the initial report.

Conduct fit test train-the-trainer trainings for health care facility leadership and public health personnel as needed and identified. Provide education and training to health care facilities suspected outbreaks and/or infection control breaches as requested and identified.

Provide education and quarterly trainings to Bureau of Epidemiology and county health departments on infection prevention and control to increase capacity when responding to MDROs and HAI outbreaks. Implement regional HAI outbreak response trainings/drills.

Respond to daily assignments and additional HAI/AR tasks as needed. 

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A master’s degree or higher in healthcare, public health, nursing, or related fields with a minimum of 4 years of experience or licensed as a Registered Nurse in the State of Florida, with 5 years of experience.

• Certification in infection control, required

• A minimum of 4 years of experience with National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN)

• A minimum of 4-5 years of relevant infection prevention and control experience

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:

Region 1 & 2: Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes, Washington, Bay, Jackson, Calhoun, Gulf, Liberty, Gadsden, Franklin, Leon, Wakulla, Jefferson, Madison, Taylor, Hamilton, Suwannee, Lafayette, Dixie, Columbia

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.

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.