BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST II - 64054331

State of Florida•Riviera Beach, FL

10d•Onsite

About The Position

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. Creates quarterly reports on the maternal and congenital cases and presents them to the supervisor and program manager. 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.

Requirements

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.
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
Travel throughout Palm Beach County
Occasionally required to lift and/or move objects up to 20lbs.
Requires to Safely wear a tight fitting N95 respirator
Must learn and perform phlebotomy routinely.
Required to complete training including Passport to Partner Services
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.

Responsibilities

Implementing and maintaining STD reporting, surveillance, and data management systems.
Guiding and assigning Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS) field and surveillance work.
Acting as a congenital and maternal STD liaison.
Focusing on congenital and maternal STD investigations.
Initiating and maintaining contact with local OB/ GYN providers and hospitals Infection Control Departments.
Providing providers with updates in congenital and maternal reporting, treatment, and epidemiolocal trends.
Investigating all positive neonatal, maternal STD cases and lab results to complete congenital case worksheet.
Verifying 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.
Collaborating with Biological Scientists II and DIS staff for treatment and interview of mother.
Maintaining tracking log on all pregnant women with reactive syphilis and/or HIV serology and provides weekly list of open field records to surveillance supervisor.
Assisting in coordinating Electronic Reporting (ELR) cases and surveillance faxes relating to gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, and HIV.
Recording and evaluating positive laboratory results and identify client locating information.
Communicating with laboratories, public and private providers, and other community centers regarding STD history, treatment, and further locating information.
Determining correct course of STD follow up and assigns cases to staff for field investigation.
Ensuring correct treatment and interview protocols are met.
Assisting the STD Manager in the formulation of policies and procedures regarding STD congenital and maternal surveillance.
Initiating field records for follow up on public and private reported cases of STDs.
Mailing, emailing, and E-faxing updated reporting and treatment information to private providers and community organizations as needed and upon request.
Responding to special requests and analysis of STD data.
Maintaining electronic files laboratories and of specialized records for STD and further contact investigation or follow up.
Assisting in analyzing congenital and maternal surveillance.
Creating and performing statistical narrative reports as needed.
Creating quarterly reports on the maternal and congenital cases and presents them to the supervisor and program manager.
Assisting in field investigations and STD/Hepatitis outreaches as needed.
Serving as a backup and performs fieldwork in the control and prevention of Tuberculosis (TB).
Conducting active surveillance to Obstetrician providers offices and conducts field investigations on maternal cases to help alleviate with Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS) caseloads.
Performing other duties as assigned.

Benefits

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
Flexible Spending Accounts;
Tuition waivers;

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