Requisition No: 850067 

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST II - 64005160

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 64005160 

Salary:  $42,000 to $50,000 

Posting Closing Date: 04/25/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

OPEN COMPETITIVE

BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST II (DISEASE INTERVENTION SPECIALIST)

Open Competitive

Your Specific Responsibilities: 

Provides public health resources, education, awareness, and intervention activities, in accordance wiht current policies, for individuals exposed to or at risk of sexually transmitted infections & communicable diseases, including, chlamydia, gonorrhea, tuberculosis, hepatitis and HIV. Participates in clinical, community, and impromptu screening activities, by providing pre-test counseling for sexually transmitted infections & communicable diseases, and conducting screening tests to identified high risk clients. Locates and provides follow up counseling, and/or referrals, to individuals infected with sexually transmitted infections, or communicable diseases. Provides those infected individuals with confidential support, resources and information required in attempt to elicit partner/sexual contact information for purposes of providing treatment to those potentially infected individuals. Provides partner services (PS) to a wide variety of individuals infected with, or at risk of, a sexually transmitted infection. Provides information on the prevention, transmission, surveillance and control of infectious/communicable diseases to community, clients, or health care professional groups. Communicates with, and visits public and private clinics, healthcare facilities, schools, physician’s offices, hospitals, laboratories and any other applicable health care provider to (1) obtain demographic, medical or other specific client information, including address, telephone numbers, place of employment, race, gender, date of birth, test results, diagnosis, treatment, etc. and/or to arrange medical evaluations and treatments for clients, (2) encourage reporting of cases and/or positive, reactive tests results, in accordance with FL statutes and administrative rules, (3) provide educational information, updates and patterns/trends to practitioners with current diagnostic and treatment guidelines, disease trends and discuss their role in reducing the rate of infection for the community. Serves as liaison, and primary contact, for private and public community health partners. Provides resources for vaccine-preventable diseases. Receives and appropriately answers phone calls related to sexually transmitted infection & communicable disease questions from the community. Participates in training programs and educational conferences to keep informed of current and emerging public health issues.  Participates on "Epi Strike Team", which may be deployed in/out of state for emergency incidents. May provide technical assistance for the required reporting of communicable diseases and conditions in Putnam County, including but not limited to, assisting in outbreak management, produces final reports, including data entry in appropriate databases, prepares and presents educational in-service presentations to community, provides quarterly & annual reports of sexually transmitted infections and communicable diseases. 

Conducts investigation for sexually transmitted infections & communicable diseases, and other reportable diseases, and ensures timely follow-up with healthcare providers, educating their entity on the next course of action/therapy. Ensures timely & accurate investigation & follow-up of STIs/communicable diseases, including Tuberculosis. Conducts field investigations to locate and provide Field Directed Therapy to individuals infected with chlamydia or gonorrhea, tuberculosis, and/or to refer individuals infected with, or suspected to be at risk of, infection to STIs for counseling, medical evaluation and/or treatment. May be required to collect lab specimens via phlebotomy procedure and arrange for transport to BPHL (State Lab) or other laboratories as indicated. Conduct visits to hospitals, correctional institutions, healthcare facilities or home based clients to complete epidemiological disease tracing, surveillance and data collection for reporting, while also performing disease teaching, if needed. Coordinates prophylactic treatment or immunizations, as needed, including the coordination of setting up "vaccination outreach events", to increase public awareness and provide resources that clients may not otherwise have access to. Performs case management activities as directed in the process of discovering and/or identifying individuals infected with sexually transmitted infections or communicable diseases. These activities will include, but are not limited to, work prioritization and records documentation and management, clustering, HIV pre- & post-test counseling, visual case analysis and epidemiological techniques, data entry and/or other related activities related to documentation requirements for surveillance systems, such as MERLIN, FLSHOTS, HMS, STARS, etc. Performs investigation, data entry, and follow-up for the prevention and control of sexually transmitted infections or communicable diseases. The incumbent performs daily surveillance, data analysis, and management using Merlin, FL Shots and other communicable disease databases as needed. Stays on top of faxed communication for notification of new case reports (checked multiple times/day).

Attends local and division meetings as indicated. Completes training hours in accordance with the FDOH-Putnam Training Policy (these trainings may include, but are not limited to, the approved CEU courses. Accurately tracks, records, and reports time and attendance in accordance with FDOH-Putnam / Division policies and procedures. Works with Disease Control and Health Protection Programs in community outreach, training, education, and preparation for outbreaks, possible bioterrorism incidents and special events that require enhanced epidemiological and/or surveillance systems. Collects laboratory reports, patient charts, providers in medical community, schools and other facilities to complete epidemiological disease reports on ill patients and contacts. Observes the ingestion of medications (pre-packaged, single dose, individually labeled, client specific) in clinic or in the field by Directly Observed Therapy (DOT). Provides back up to other members of Division at an operations level, including Direct Observe Therapy (DOT). Completes required records and reports, including case management forms, laboratory request forms, travel reimbursement forms, HMC service codes, Employee Activity Report (EAR), etc. in accordance with current CHD and STI Program policies and/or procedures. Develops and maintains active quality improvement (QI) plan for sexually transmitted infections & communicable diseases.

Perform other related duties as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

•               Knowledge of medical information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat scientific diseases.

•               Knowledge of basic epidemiological principles and practices

•               Knowledge of basic computer skills, office equipment and epidemiology programs including Windows, Outlook, MS   

                Word, Excel, Power Point, and Epi info. 

•               Knowledge of People First, HMS, EARS, Merlin, Florida Shots, ESSENCE

•               Ability to conduct case investigation, reporting and follow up

•               Ability to communicate effectively with clients, staff and the community

•               Ability to deliver presentations to staff and the community

•               Ability to provide training to others

•               Ability to utilize problem-solving techniques

•               Ability to work independently

•               Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others

•               Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments

•               Ability to document work products and complete reports

All employees are expected to complete timesheets and EARs/DARs as required, both accurately and within the required timeframe. All employees are expected to complete mandatory trainings within the required timeframe, as deemed necessary by the Department, the Delegated Authority, grant requirements and/or Florida Statutes.

Qualifications: Associate's Degree

Minimum - applicant should have 1-3yrs in an infectious disease type setting/office, strong intrapersonal skills and able to discuss highly confidential, sexually-oriented information in a direct, discrete and professional manner.

Preferred - Bachelor's degree or higher in the field of Public Health or Infectious/Communicable Diseases

The Florida Department of Health's Mission, Vision & 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 (ICARE):

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:

Main Office: Palatka, but will provide services throughout entire Putnam County

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.