REGISTERED NURSE SPECIALIST - 64001498

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Florida Department of Health

Division of Disease Control and Health Protection

Bureau of Epidemiology 

Open Competitive Opportunity

Your Specific Responsibilities:

This position is detailed to Broward County Health Department (Area 11) from the Bureau of Epidemiology, Immunization Section. Area 11 covers Broward, Glades and Hendry Counties. This position entails independent work under the supervision of the State Health Office Bureau of Immunization providing evaluation, technical assistance, management, consultation and coordination for a statewide immunization program. In an assigned geographic area, which includes a large, diverse, urban population, this employee is responsible for their part in achieving state and national immunization objectives consistent with federal immunization grant requirements. The incumbent assists in the implementation of program activities and desired outcomes by coordination and working with county health department (CHD) staff, other staff from the Department of Health, Department of Children and Families, managed care organizations, and private health care providers. The incumbent provides reports as required by the Immunization Section, including written reports describing progress toward achieving program goals, with specific explanations for unmet goals and plans to overcome barriers to their attainment. The activities are varied and complex, as indicated below, and are designed to improve immunization levels and reduce vaccine-preventable disease morbidity and mortality in Florida. This position serves as Information Custodian for specified information sets in accordance with completed form DH 1151, Information Custodian Delegation of Authority, and maintains departmental, division and bureau security policies, protocols and procedures for protection of data and release of confidential information. This position also serves as Key Custodian for specified secure areas in accordance with completed form DH 1155, Key Custodian Delegation of Authority, and maintains departmental, division and bureau security policies and procedures for protection of data and release of confidential information.

Oversee the supervision of Operator Analyst at Broward County Health Department.

Enhanced Service Delivery - Works directly with private providers (Doctors, Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners, Physicians Assistants and other registered nurses) to implement a nurse champion immunization model. Conducts quality assurance and quality improvement activities in the public and private sector to generate provider-specific feedback on progress toward the implementation of the Standards for Pediatric Immunization Practice, meeting state and national immunization coverage objectives, and compliance with requirements of the Vaccines for Children (VFC) and Vaccine coverage level assessment improvement programs Uses results for reviews and expertise to provide appropriate recommendations or assistance to correct problems and foster improvement in immunization program management Disseminates information in person and in writing to appropriate staff to facilitate needed changes. Also, provides ongoing technical assistance to immunization providers as needed.

Collaborates with the host agency to develop cultivate partnerships and practices that mutually support each other's immunization related objectives.

Immunization Information Systems -Functions as a resource for the state’s immunization information system, Florida State Health Online Tracking System (FL SHOTS), by providing information, coordination, and support to public and private health care providers and assisting them with utilizing FL SHOTS as a tool to assess immunization coverage rates

Targeting Interventions toward “Pockets of Need" - Assists CHDs in (1) Identifying geographic areas where sub-populations at high risk for under immunization reside; (2) Measuring immunization coverage in those areas, and most importantly; (3) implementing measures designed to achieve high coverage among high-risk groups in these areas.

Linkages with Managed Care Organization (MCOs) and other Private Sector Health Care Providers - Works closely with MCOs and MCO-enrolled providers to institute quality improvement measures that ensure compliance with the recommendations of ACIP and the Standards for Pediatric Immunization Practices. Assists in implementing the immunization provisions contained in the ‘Managed Care and Publicly Funded Primary Care Program Coordination Act (section 381 0407, Florida Statutes) by collaborating with area MediPass Coordinators and Medicaid Area Administrators Encourages enrollment in the VFC program for private providers who serve children less than19 years of age.
Develops, implements and leads/participates in immunization coalitions focused on immunizations across the lifetime, childhood adolescent and adult. Work with partners in the coalitions to develop specific action plans to raise immunization rates across the life span. Training, Outreach and Community Education - Develops and provides training on all aspects of immunization activities for professional and volunteer groups Works to maintain public awareness concerning the importance of immunization by providing training and coordinating the dissemination of information to parents, hospitals, schools, day care centers, and culturally diverse groups. Acts as a local resource for immunization questions from the public

Surveillance and Outbreak Control - Assists in vaccine-preventable disease surveillance and outbreak control activities including investigation and containment of outbreaks and coordination of perinatal hepatitis B prevention activities.

Vaccine Management- Provides hands-on assistance with public and private providers to ensure that less than 5% of state-supplied vaccine is unaccounted for and that wastage is kept to an absolute minimum. Assists county health departments in carrying out the vaccine management policies contained in the County Health Department Guidebook . Works with CHDs to develop and carry out plans to maintain vaccine accountability at or above 95% Assists public and private providers in properly handling and storing vaccines provided to them by the state.

Other Duties as Assigned

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

- Knowledge of the Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases
- Knowledge of the Standards for Pediatric Immunization Practices
- Knowledge of Florida Statutes pertaining to immunizations for enrollment or participation in school, child care, and public assistance programs
- Knowledge of state and federal requirements related to the Vaccines for Children    Program, the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, and the use of Vaccine Information Statements
- Knowledge of the state immunization registry, FL SHOTS
- Knowledge of County Health Department Guidebook immunization policies and technical assistance
- Ability to operate the Health Management System (HMS)
- Ability to conduct vaccine inventories

Qualifications:

Minimum:

• Valid Registered Nursing License
• Associate’s degree

Preferred:

• 1 year Immunizations 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:

Tallahassee, FL

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:

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.