BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST II - 64054331

Requisition No: 831640 

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST II - 64054331

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 64054331 

Salary:  $41,489.24 

Posting Closing Date: 07/07/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Open Competitive Opportunity 

Specific Responsibilities:

This is a Biological Scientist Il position in the Northeast Health Center - STD / Viral Hepatitis program, responsible for implementing, maintaining, STD reporting, surveillance, and data management systems for the Palm Beach County STD Program. Works is performed under the supervision of Biological Scientist III - SES. This position requires independent judgment, initiative, applying general knowledge of business practices and skill in applying instructions to accomplish various job functions. Responsible for guiding and assigning Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS) field. and surveillance work.

This position is designated as a sensitive position and is required to maintain confidential information in accordance with the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) Palm Beach County Health Department (CHD) Information Security Policy, Protocols and Procedures. This position has access to confidential data and Critical Systems such as Surveillance Tools & Reporting System (STARS), Health Management System (HMS), Hepatitis Database. This position is classified as sensitive and governed by state and local confidentiality and security policies in accordance with Florida statutes 384 & 392, Florida Administration 10D-3, and Health Department guidelines, rules, and regulations. This position can view, update, and release confidential STD/HIV/Hepatitis laboratory results, case findings, and surveillance data. 

Acts as a congenital and maternal STD liaison. Focuses on congenital and maternal STD investigations, initiates and maintains contact with local OB/ GYN providers and hospitals Infection Control Departments.  Provides providers with updates in congenital and maternal reporting, treatment, and epidemiolocal trends. Investigates all positive neonatal, maternal STD cases and lab results to complete congenital case worksheet. Verifies diagnoses and treatment history for mother and baby by telephone and/or field visits to hospital/ health care provider or record search of medical records. Collaborates with Biological Scientists II and DIS staff for treatment and interview of mother. Maintains tracking log on all pregnant women with reactive syphilis and/or HIV serology and provides weekly list of open field records to surveillance supervisor.

Assists in coordinating Electronic Reporting (ELR) cases and surveillance faxes relating to gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, and HIV. Record and evaluate positive laboratory results and identify client locating information. Communicates with laboratories, public and private providers, and other community centers regarding STD history, treatment, and further locating information. Determines correct course of STD follow up and assigns cases to staff for field investigation. Ensure correct treatment and interview protocols are met. Allows an inquiry response time from providers prior to assignment. Ensures presence of confirmatory test prior to release or request one.

Assists the STD Manager in the formulation of policies and procedures regarding STD congenital and maternal surveillance.

Initiates field records for follow up on public and private reported cases of STDs. Mails, emails, and E-fax updated reporting and treatment information to private providers and community organizations as needed and upon request. Responds to special requests and analysis of STD data. Maintains electronic files laboratories and of specialized records for STD and further contact investigation or follow up. 
Assists in analyzing congenital and maternal surveillance. Creates and performs statistical narrative reports as needed. 

Assists in field investigations and STD/Hepatitis outreaches as needed. Serves as a backup and performs fieldwork in the control and prevention of Tuberculosis (TB).

Conducts active surveillance to Obstetrician providers offices and conducts field investigations on maternal cases to help alleviate with Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS) caseloads.

Performs other duties as assigned.
 

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge and ability of methods of compiling, organizing, analyzing data, and generating reports
• Knowledge of Epidemiology, Communicable Diseases and other health related programs.
• Knowledge of standard precautions to prevent transmission of infections.
• Ability to conduct fact finding interviews and health investigation,
• Ability to plan, prioritize organize and coordinate work activities independently to accomplish assignments
• Ability to prepare records and reports
• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Knowledge of computers and basic software applications.

Qualifications:

Licensure/registration/certification requirements (If applicable, list the appropriate Florida Statute or federal regulation cite):

         N/A

Other job-related requirements for this position:

• Incumbent may be required to work before during and/or beyond normal work hours or days in the event of an emergency· Emergency duty required of the incumbent includes working in special needs shelters or performing other emergency duties including but not limited to responses to or threats involving any disaster or threat of disaster. man-made or natural.
• Valid Driver License.

Working hours: (A) Daily from 8:00am to 5:00pm (B) Total hours in workweek 40 hours (C) Explain any variation in work (split shift, rotation, etc.)

• This position may be required to work before, during, and or before normal working hours.

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:

851 Avenue P, Riviera Beach, FL 33404

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.

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.