OPS HEALTH EDUCATOR - 64901368

Florida; Gainesville (FL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternate

State group insurance participation

Workers’ Compensation

Reemployment Assistance

Job summary

Florida Department of Health seeks an OPS Health Educator to coordinate linkage to care for HIV, HCV, and Syphilis patients. The role focuses on education, counseling, testing, and coordinating services within hospital and community networks.

Responsibilities include interviewing patients, conducting care referrals, and data entry in STARS and MERLIN, with emphasis on HIPAA compliance and high-quality patient service.

Qualifications

• High school diploma required.
• Vaild Driver's License (note: valid license required).
• Minimum of 1 year experience in a professional office setting.
• Minimum of 1 year experience working with or knowledge of HIV/STD.
• Minimum of 1 year experience working with health care services.
• Basic computer operation and software skills.
• Preferred – BS preferred.

Responsibilities

• 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 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.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

English communication

Basic computer skills

HIV/AIDS training

Data entry

Education

High school diploma

BS preferred

Tools

STARS

MERLIN

Job description

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The State Personnel System is an E-Verify employer. For more information click on our E-Verify Website .

Requisition No:884702

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: OPS HEALTH EDUCATOR - 64901368

Job posting category OPEN – OPS HEALTH EDUCATOR 64901368

Your Specific Responsibilities:

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.

Key Responsibilities:

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:

Must be willing to attend Disease Intervention Specialist Training for a week within 6 months of hire .

Effective interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively in both written and verbal English.

Proficiency in basic computer operations and software applications.

Ability to successfully complete venipuncture, HIV/AIDS 500/501, STARS, Hepatitis C, and DISTA training within six months of employment.

Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently.

Qualifications:

High school diploma required.

Vaild Driver's License

Minimum of 1 year experience working in a professional office setting.

Minimum of 1 year experiecne working with or knowledge of HIV/STD

Minimum of 1 year experience working with health care services

Basic computer operation and software skills

Preferred – BS Preferred

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:

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:

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.

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.