OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST IV

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Requisition No: 821580

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST IV - 64853640

Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 64853640

Salary: $32 per hour

Posting Closing Date: 02/05/2024

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Thank you for your interest in career opportunities with the Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County. If you are looking to establish a successful career in Public Health, you have come to the right place. Many of our innovative and successful health programs are recognized throughout Florida. We hope you decide to join our team! Applicants will be contacted directly if selected for an interview.

The incumbent is part of a global public health organization and is expected to support the Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County in its mission to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts and its efforts and its vision To be the Healthiest State in the Nation. Furthermore, the incumbent is expected to incorporate the agency values of I nnovation, C ollaboration, A ccountability, R esponsiveness and Excellence in all aspects of their work.

OPS Biological Scientist IV - Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI) Epidemiologist

This is an in-office position within the Division of Disease Control and Health Protection. The incumbent is responsible for conducting ongoing countywide surveillance activities and providing essential analytic and evaluative support to strengthen the surveillance efforts of the Agency and the wider community.

Responsibilities include:

Performs investigation, data entry, and follow-up for the prevention and control of communicable diseases including, but not limited to: healthcare associated infections (HAI), reportable diseases, foodborne and waterborne illnesses, general infectious diseases, and influenza (seasonal and pandemic). The incumbent performs daily surveillance, data analysis, and management using ESSENCE, Merlin data systems, Epi Gateway, and other databases as needed.

Tasks include but are not limited to:

• Follow up on all Electronic Laboratory Reports (ELR) and faxed reports within assigned HAIs to include but not limited to : collecting basic demographics and clinical information on suspected cases, confirming diagnosis, determining probable source of infection, determining mode of transmission, determining extent of spread, and recommending appropriate control measures.
• Coordinate point prevalence surveys as needed.
• Collect and transmits appropriate laboratory specimens for diagnostic study.
• Monitor clients and susceptible clients during potentially infectious period or period of probable onset for proper follow-up on control measures.
• Maintains adequate records of essential information relevant to the communicable disease investigation.
• Provides communicable disease alerts as necessary to contain the spread of communicable diseases.
• Collaborates with infection control practitioners in hospitals, nursing homes, and other facilities for the identification, investigation, and control of infectious diseases.
• Prepares surveillance reports, data summaries, and other written documentation for publication, presentation, or dissemination. Creates graphs and charts to illustrate data.
• Conduct studies and investigations related to outbreaks of public health significance.

HAI Epidemiologist duties include but are not limited to:

• Coordinate infection control assessments.
• Coordinate laboratory support for testing and typing of HAI-related specimens and isolates.
• Provide appropriate containment and transmission guidance for novel or targeted multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs).
• Utilize Florida's surveillance system, Merlin, to track outbreaks and investigations.
• Serve as subject matter experts on CDC guidance.
• Provide specific data to support and identify trends of targeted organism(s) at a local level.
• Work with facilities such as, long term care facilities, dialysis facilities, dental, outpatient care facilities, rehab centers, and additional group settings as needed and identified to improve prevention activities, outbreak detection and reporting.
• Provide quarterly trainings to county health departments on infection prevention and control to increase their capacity to serve as a resource when responding to MDROs and HAI outbreaks.
• Participate in MDRO/HAI outbreak investigations onsite.
• Analyze Merlin data to identify opportunities for improving emerging threat detection and making recommendations for health care facilities that have the greatest need for improvement based on surveillance data.
• Consult Project First Line Educators to provide onsite education and training in response to identified infection control gaps. Minimum 80% facility participation during training/education events.
• Submit completed reports into REDCap as instructed and saved into the appropriate HAI SharePoint folder.
• Provide written report with recommendations within 72 hours of the completed assessment to the facility.
• Conduct follow up assessment (onsite or telephone) within four weeks of completed report to evaluate for implementation of recommendations.
• Provide additional support for regional trainings in collaboration with Project First Line Educators in each region for LTCF on infection prevention and control. Goal of 60% facility participation in each region.
• Using NHSN and Merlin data to assist with response and mitigation efforts.
• Work with identified CHD LTCF liaisons to assess areas of concern and priorities for outreach.
• Assist with regional outbreak response trainings/drills (e.g., acute care hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, long term acute care hospitals, BPHL, CHDs, coalition groups).
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Attends infection control meetings at assigned hospitals to share and yield vital information. Provides information on the prevention, transmission, surveillance and control of infectious diseases to community, clients, or health care professional groups. Participates in training programs, educational conferences to keep informed of preparedness and epidemiological issues.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED
• Valid driver's license

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certification in Infection Control
• Master's degree in Public Health or related field
• Registered Nurse (RN), BSN, MSN, or APRN
• One (1) year of experience working as an Epidemiologist in an applied epidemiology program

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:

Department of Health in Pinellas County/ St. Petersburg location:

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)

• Deferred Compensation
• Employee Assistance Program
• And more!

For a more complete list of benefits, including monthly costs, visit

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. Note: You will be required to provide your Social Security Number (SSN) in order to conduct this background check.

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:

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.