OPS Biological Scientist IV

Florida; Saint Petersburg (FL); On-site; USD 34,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County seeks an OPS Biological Scientist IV focused on Patient Navigator/Disease Intervention. You will support linkage to care for HIV, Hepatitis C, and Syphilis patients, coordinate with hospitals and community partners, and provide counseling, testing, and resource navigation in the ER setting.

The role requires outreach to patients, data entry in STARS/MERLIN, and collaboration with ED staff to ensure timely care.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of software applications.
• Skilled in interpersonal communication.
• Skilled in organization management.
• Skilled in basic computer operations and software applications.
• Ability to successfully complete venipuncture.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently.
• Ability to communicate effectively in both written and verbal English.
• HIV/AIDS 500/501, STARS, Hepatitis C, and DISTA training within six months of employment.

Responsibilities

• Contact infected individuals to inform, educate, and interview about diseases and document interactions.
• Conduct linkage to care for newly diagnosed and re-engaged patients via referral to services.
• Provide outreach to patients lost to care through mailings and calls to re-engage healthcare services.
• Address barriers to care, such as transportation, mental health, and substance use, with patients.
• Follow up on outstanding patient results to ensure timely care and treatment.
• Complete patient documentation in STARS and MERLIN and perform data entry for patient care.
• Collaborate with Emergency Department staff to facilitate patient testing and maintain program continuity.
• Maintain relationships with referral sources and community-based services to enhance access to resources.
• Demonstrate unconditional positive regard and focus on exceptional customer service.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Organizational management

General computer skills

Venipuncture ability

English communication

Education

Valid driver’s license

Job description

Requisition No:884534

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: OPS Biological Scientist IV

FOCUS Patient Navigator/Disease Intervention Specialist

The OPS-FOCUS Patient Navigator/Disease Intervention Specialist is dedicated to addressing multiple public health epidemics. This position provides critical support to individuals diagnosed with HIV, Hepatitis C, Syphilis, and those affected by the opioid epidemic, primarily through the hospital's Emergency Room (ER) department. The Navigator focuses on conducting linkage to care, ensuring that positive patients have access to necessary healthcare services, and facilitating the coordination of initial appointments. They will provide counseling, testing, and linkage services while collaborating with hospitals and community resources to optimize patient access to care.

Your specific responsibilities include:

• Contact infected individuals to inform, educate, and conduct interviews regarding the diseases they have acquired, gathering pertinent information, and documenting all interactions.
• Conduct linkage to care for newly diagnosed and re-engaging patients, ensuring referrals to supportive and medical services, particularly through the Florida Department of Health (FDOH).
• Provide targeted outreach to patients who are lost to care through mailing and phone calls to facilitate their return to healthcare services.
• Assess and address barriers to care, including transportation issues, mental health challenges, and substance use, working collaboratively with patients to mitigate these obstacles.
• Follow up on outstanding patient results to ensure timely care and treatment.
• Complete all necessary patient documentation accurately in STARS and MERLIN and perform data entry for patient care.
• Collaborate with Emergency Department staff to facilitate patient testing and maintain program continuity.
• Maintain relationships with referral sources and community-based services to enhance patient access to resources.
• Exhibit unconditional positive regard towards patients, focusing on exceptional customer service in all interactions.
• Ensure compliance with hospital policies, HIPAA regulations, and business agreements between FDOH and Emergency Department Staff.
• Support linkage to care services for positive patients resulting from increased HIV, HCV, and Syphilis tests.
• Develop and implement linkage to care pathways for patients with HIV, HCV, and Syphilis in collaboration with hospitals, community partners, and the FDOH.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of software applications
• Skilled in interpersonal communication
• Skilled in organization management
• Skilled in basic computer operations and software applications.
• Ability to successfully complete venipuncture
• Ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently.
• Ability to communicate effectively in both written and verbal English

HIV/AIDS 500/501, STARS, Hepatitis C, and DISTA training within six months of employment.

Qualifications:

Minimum:

• Valid driver’s license

Preferred:

• At least one-year of experience in public health epidemics
• At leat one-year of outreach 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 theHealthiestState in the Nation.

Values:

Innovation: We search for creative solutions and manage resources wisely.

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

Accountability: We perform with integrity & respect.

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

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

Where You Will Work:

Department of Health in Pinellas County

205 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr St N,

St. Petersburg, FL 33701

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)

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.

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.

For assistance, call the People First Service Center at [phone] Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Eastern time. Pursuant to Florida Law, 110.211 F. S., the State of Florida is an EEO employer.