LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE - 64006220

Requisition No: 851527 

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE - 64006220

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 64006220 

Salary:  $48,000.00 to $52,000.00 Annually 

Posting Closing Date: 05/06/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Job Posting Category:  Open Competitive

Your Specific Responsibilities:

The Licensed Practical Nurse / Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS) is under the direct supervision of the Public Health Services Manager. This is a professional position within the Florida Department of Health in Charlotte County (DOH-Charlotte). The Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS) plays a crucial role in preventing and controlling the spread of communicable diseases through case management, contact tracing, investigation, and education. This position requires a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license and involves working closely with individuals diagnosed with infectious diseases, their partners, and the community to ensure timely access to testing, treatment, and prevention services. The DIS will utilize their clinical knowledge and public health principles to conduct interviews, provide counseling and treatment, and link individuals to necessary medical and social services.

Surveillance, Treatment and Follow-Up

• Conduct in-depth interviews with individuals diagnosed with communicable diseases, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV, tuberculosis (TB), and other infectious diseases, to gather information about their contacts and potential sources of infection
• Utilize effective communication and interviewing techniques to build rapport and elicit sensitive information while maintaining confidentiality and adhering to ethical guidelines
• Locate, notify, and counsel individuals who may have been exposed to a communicable disease, ensuring they understand their risk and the importance of testing and treatment
• Provide accurate and comprehensive information about disease transmission, symptoms, testing options, treatment protocols, and prevention strategies
• Perform or coordinate testing for communicable diseases, including specimen collection (e.g., blood draws if qualified), and ensure proper handling and transportation of specimens
• Administer treatment for STDs in accordance with CDC protocols and organizational policies
• Interpret test results and provide post-test counseling, including explaining diagnoses, treatment options, and the importance of adherence to treatment
• Link individuals to medical care, partner services, and other relevant support services, such as housing, transportation, and psychosocial support
• Develop and implement individualized risk reduction plans with clients to prevent further transmission of disease
• Maintain accurate and confidential records of all interactions, investigations, and interventions in accordance with agency policies and procedures
• Collaborate effectively with physicians, nurses, epidemiologists, laboratories, community-based organizations, and other public health professionals to ensure coordinated care and disease control efforts
• Participate in disease surveillance activities by identifying trends, reporting outbreaks, and contributing to data collection and analysis
• Stay up to date on current public health guidelines, best practices, and emerging infectious disease threats
• Adhere to all state and federal laws and regulations related to disease control and prevention, including HIPAA regulations regarding patient privacy
• Function as a patient advocate, ensuring clients receive culturally competent and sensitive services

Outreach and Education

• Conduct community outreach and education activities to raise awareness about communicable diseases and promote prevention strategies.
• Plan, schedule, and conduct special outreach, control programs and county jail outreach for vaccinations and testing
• Develops community partnerships for vaccinations and client referral services to available programs

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of Statutes, Rules and Regulations that pertain to the programs
• Knowledge of communicable diseases, their modes of transmission, prevention strategies, and treatment options.
• Strong clinical assessment and interviewing skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to explain complex medical information in an understandable manner
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals from different backgrounds and with varying levels of health literacy
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and professionalism
• Knowledge of public health principles and practices
• Skills in counseling and health education
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Proficiency in using electronic health records and other data management systems
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Ability to perform phlebotomy
• Knowledge of relevant Florida statutes and regulations related to public health and disease control
• Knowledge of nursing principles, practices, and techniques
• Skills in assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of patient
• Knowledge of methods of compiling, organizing and analyzing data
• Ability to conduct fact-finding interviews
• Ability to conduct health investigations
• Ability to analyze data
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work activities
• Ability to prepare records and reports
• Ability to identify community resources
• Ability to prepare and conduct training programs
• Ability to communicate effectively
• Ability to frequently bend, kneel, reach, and sit or stand for long periods of time
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds as needed

Qualifications:

• Must be licensed as a Florida Licensed Practical Nurse in accordance with F.S. 464 or eligible to practice nursing in accordance with Florida Administrative Code 210-8.22 or 8.27
• Must have a valid Florida driver's license, or the ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire
• Must understand that investigating and contacting clients testing positive for HIV and/or and STD(s) is the primary function of this position
• Must be able to or willing to be trained to draw blood and process lab samples

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:

Port Charlotte, FL

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.