OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST I - 64853510

Requisition No: 843348 

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST I - 64853510

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 64853510 

Salary:  $25.00 per hour 40 hours per week 

Posting Closing Date: 01/02/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH – HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY

DIVISION OF DISEASE CONTROL

OPS DISEASE INTERVENTION SPECIALIST

UNIVERSITY AREA COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER

13601 N. 22nd STREET, TAMPA, FL 33613 AND LOCAL HOSPITALS

Thank you for your interest in career opportunities with the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough 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.

Join an amazing company culture that values employee growth and development at the Florida Department of Health. Professional development is highly encouraged and supported within our organization through opportunities for mentorships and educational and skills training.  From the moment you are hired, you can begin to grow as a professional and a leader, through strategic planning, internal committees, and project engagement.  There are also many opportunities for continuing education at no cost to the employee.  If you are looking to further your education through a college degree, the Florida Department of Health can help with our tuition reimbursement program.  We offer an inspiring and encouraging atmosphere to support you while you work with us.

The Florida Department of Health (DOH) is responsible for the health and safety of all citizens and visitors to the state. As a public health agency, the Florida Department of Health must monitor the health status of Floridians, diagnose, and investigate health problems, and mobilize local communities to address health-related issues. The Florida Department of Health develops policies and plans that support health goals, enforce laws and regulations that protect the health of all residents and visitors, and link people to needed health care services. The Florida Department of Health also provides specialized assistance to pregnant women, infants, and children with special health care needs, regulates health care practitioners, and provides medical disability determinations.

OPS Biological Scientist I:

The OPS-FOCUS Patient Navigator/Disease Intervention Specialist is dedicated to addressing multiple public health epidemics. This position provides critical support to individuals diagnosed with HIV, Hepatitis C, Syphilis, and those affected by the opioid epidemic, primarily through the hospital's Emergency Room (ER) department. The Navigator focuses on conducting linkage to care, ensuring that positive patients have access to necessary healthcare services, and facilitating the coordination of initial appointments. They will provide counseling, testing, and linkage services while collaborating with hospitals and community resources to optimize patient access to care.

Your Specific Responsibilities:

•        Contact infected individuals to inform, educate, and conduct interviews regarding the diseases they have acquired, gathering pertinent information, and documenting all interactions.

•        Conduct linkage to care for newly diagnosed and re-engaging patients, ensuring referrals to supportive and medical services, particularly through the Florida Department of Health (FDOH).

•        Provide targeted outreach to patients who are lost to care through mailing and phone calls to facilitate their return to healthcare services.

•        Assess and address barriers to care, including transportation issues, mental health challenges, and substance use, working collaboratively with patients to mitigate these obstacles.

•        Follow up on outstanding patient results to ensure timely care and treatment.

•        Complete all necessary patient documentation accurately in STARS and MERLIN and perform data entry for patient care.

•        Collaborate with Emergency Department staff to facilitate patient testing and maintain program continuity.

•        Maintain relationships with referral sources and community-based services to enhance patient access to resources.

•        Exhibit unconditional positive regard towards patients, focusing on exceptional customer service in all interactions.

•        Ensure compliance with hospital policies, HIPAA regulations, and business agreements between FDOH and Emergency Department Staff.

•        Support linkage to care services for positive patients resulting from increased HIV, HCV, and Syphilis tests.

•        Develop and implement linkage to care pathways for patients with HIV, HCV, and Syphilis in collaboration with hospitals, community partners, and the FDOH.

• Other related duties as assigned by supervisor.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

•        Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

•        Effective interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively in both written and verbal English.

•        Proficiency in basic computer operations and software applications such as the use Microsoft 365 applications (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and MS Teams).

• Ability to operate commonly used office equipment such as computers, printers, fax machine and paper shredder.

•        Ability to successfully complete venipuncture, HIV/AIDS 500/501, STARS, Hepatitis C, and DISTA training within six months of employment.

•        Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently.

• Bilingual English/Spanish or English/Haitian Creole (preferred).

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED
• Valid Florida driver’s license or able to get one within 30 days of hire.
• At least one year of client/patients interviewing experience to obtain relevant information.
• At least two years of client/patient customer service experience
• Reliable transportation (i.e., automobile) and willing to use your own vehicle to perform field activities and transport of patients and/or specimens (blood/urine) when necessary.
• Willing to draw/handle patients’ urine, blood and/or sputum specimens potentially infected with communicable disease such as Syphilis, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, TB, Hepatitis C, Mpox, COVID, HIV/AIDS or other emerging diseases.

Preferred-

• At least 60 semester credits from an accredited college towards a Bachelor of Science degree.
• Phlebotomy training or certification
• Bilingual in English, Spanish and/or Haitian Creole

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:

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:

13601 North 22nd Street Tampa, Florida 33613 and/or local hospitals.

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) - 7.5% mandatory contribution required.

Health insurance for individual or family coverage - State pays 80% of premium. Participation in state group insurance (upon meeting eligibility requirements.  Consult with People First and/or the serving HR office)

Life insurance available - employee pays premiums.

Workers’ Compensation (mandatory, if needed)

Reemployment Assistance (Unemployment Compensation) (mandatory, if needed)

Deferred Compensation (voluntary)

Employee Assistance Program (voluntary)

Additional supplemental insurance available such as dental, disability, etc.

Tax Deferred Child Care Reimbursement Account available

For a State of Florida Total Compensation Estimator visit State of Florida Total Compensation Estimator (myflorida.com)

Additional benefits information can be found under the employment section of: http://hillsborough.floridahealth.gov/about-us/careers.html

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) 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 promotion in the future 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.

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.

If there are any problems applying online, please call People First Staffing Administration: (877) 562-7287.

Service Center hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., ET. TTY users, call (866) 221-0268.

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.