HEALTH SUPPORT SPECIALIST - 64004680

OPEN COMPETITIVE JOB POSTING

Your Specific Responsibilities:

 This position provides support in an integrated clinic setting within the Medical Services Section of the Okaloosa County Health

Department (OCHD), under the supervision of the Nursing Director. Performs with a high level of autonomy in various daily activities that require detailed communication, documentation, and follow-up responsibilities.

Provides nursing assistant-level support for clinical operations in a team format. Prepares clients for exams and assists nurses and health care providers with other tasks as directed. Obtains vital signs, height and weight on clients, and documents in the electronic health record. Performs routine housekeeping duties in the clinic assuring a safe and hygienic work environment by keeping examination rooms clean, organized, and stocked. Works with the nurse to ensure that sterile supplies are cleaned and autoclaved for daily use. Performs in-house lab tests under the direction of the nurse, nurse practitioner, and/or physician and records results in the electronic health record. Performs venipuncture and prepares specimens for testing and shipping according to Florida Department of Health (FDOH) policy. Uses HMS EHR lab module to input all collected lab specimens, completes test related questions and submits for outside laboratories. Prepares patients for and assists with examinations as needed.

Follows up with actions as directed by team leader and supervisor.

Answers incoming calls to the clinic appointment line and assists walk-in clients/prospective clients. Schedules, reschedules appointments following designated appointment template and scheduling guidelines. Cancel appointments as directed. Refers appropriate callers to a nurse, based on knowledge of agency policy and programs. Enters client information into HMS. 

Assists clients with intake and eligibility process. Determines client eligibility for Medicaid using FLMMIS. Updates Medicaid information in the Health Management System (HMS) as needed. Performs PEPW and verifies medical insurance for accuracy and status. Responsible for preparing forms for client signatures.

Provides back-up administrative support. Must ensure effective, professional communication with all levels of staff, clients, and outside agencies to include:

• Sending faxes as directed
• Monitoring and follow up to incoming faxes for nurse review (hospital reports, referral reports, pharmacy requests, prior authorization request, etc.) or requests for records/documents from outside agencies         
• Communicating pertinent received information to the nurse in a timely manner
• Requesting outside provider notes and hospital records as directed                
• Adhering to privacy and information security requirements (HIPAA) and other regulations; maintaining high level of respect and confidentiality in handling patient information
• Calls clients when directed

Ensure all legal requirements for confidentiality are met and proper release is obtained before sending or releasing records. 

Provides back-up support for the Immunizations Clinic. Responsible for greeting/processing all immunization clients. Interviews/determines eligibility for the Vaccines for Children Program, as well as other immunizations. Schedules/checks in all immunization clients into the HMS and FL SHOTS database. Accurately inputs demographic, financial and third-party insurance information into the database. Enters immunizations into databases. Prioritizes work and uses time wisely. Participates in cross training and other staff development activities for the purpose of career development. 

Performs all other duties as assigned in support of the Agency’s vision and mission.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Requires effective oral and written communication skills
• Knowledge of computer equipment and all Microsoft Office applications
• Knowledge of phlebotomy skills

Qualifications:

• Valid U.S. Drivers License required

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:

Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County

221 Hospital Drive NE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548

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.