BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST IV

Title of the Job: BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST IV

Location: Miami, FL

Job Description: Requisition No: 839372Agency: Department of HealthWorking Title: BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST IV – 64069262Pay Plan: Career ServicePosition Number: 64069262Salary: $49,000.00 – $52,000.00Posting Closing Date: 10/28/2024Total Compensation EstimatorJob posting category – Open CompetitiveYour Specific Responsibilities:This is a highly responsible position and will report directly to the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County Surveillance Coordinator and work closely with the Florida Department of Health HAI Program Coordinator. This position will focus on increasing the collective capacity between local health departments and community health care partners to prevent and reduce HAIs and antimicrobial resistance (AR) and improve antimicrobial stewardship in their communities. Knowledgeable with and in using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) HAI, AR, and antimicrobial stewardship guidance and assessment tools to assist in evaluating health care facilities’ policies, procedures, and practices. Incumbent will follow Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and information security regulations to ensure confidentiality and privacy of the client health information. Incumbent will establish good rapport with staff and clients and provide positive customer service. Incumbent is expected to adhere to established Health Department policies and procedures.Coordinates point prevalence surveys (PPS) for all Miami-Dade County health care facilities and Antibiotic Resistance Lab Network. Tracks health care facilities progress toward addressing action plan objectives through biweekly calls, on-site observations, or meetings. Develops and implements facility mitigation action plans with input from facility leadership and staff within one month of site visit. When needed delivers PPS supplies to health care facilities in Miami-Dade County.Provides education on PPS to infection preventionists (IP) and also provides education to IPs on epidemiologically important organisms. When needed organizes educational presentations on best HAI prevention practices for clinical and environmental cleaning staff during outbreak responses.Uses the CDC Infection Control Assessment and Response (ICAR) assessment tool to conduct non-regulatory site visits to evaluate infection control practices. Provides recommendations from ICAR via written report which includes tools, resources, and training materials for health care facilities to support the implementation of best practices.Collects and analyzes data on epidemiologically important organisms to identify clusters and outbreaks in the community and health care facilities in South Florida. In addition, identifies and investigates exposures to patients or personnel by analyzing medical records and patient travel history.Track patient transfer to ensure communication is provided to receiving facilities on epidemiologically important organisms.Provide ongoing outbreak updates/presentations to community, department leadership, and health care facilities. Attends weekly meetings with HAI program to provide updates.Maintains records and reports as required. Complies with program’s protocols for calling in sick, tardiness and/or leave request. Responds to the Florida Health Alert Network (FLHAN)/Everbridge emergency alert system and Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) call down list, etc. Ensures accurate completion and timely submission of all administrative records including, mileage reports. Ensures that e-mail communications are maintained daily.Performs other related duties as assigned.Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of federal and state environmental health laws and regulations for projected impact on state agency operations.
• Knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the position:
• Knowledge of basic epidemiological principles and practices.
• Skill to conduct investigative case follow up.
• Ability to communicate effectively with clients, staff, and the community.
• Ability to prepare and deliver presentations to staff and the community.
• Ability to utilize problem solving techniques.
• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments.
• Knowledge of basic computer skills, office equipment and epidemiology programs, including Windows, Outlook, Publisher, MS word, Excel, Power Point, People First, HMS, EARS, Merlin, Epi Info 7, Florida Shots, Essence.
• Knowledge of Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act privacy.

Qualifications:Minimum –Experience working in public health and/or epidemiology.Where You Will Work:1350 NW 14th Street, Miami FL 33125.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.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

);

• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Tuition waivers;
• And more!

For a more complete list of benefits, including monthly costs, visit .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: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.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 . All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.Location:MIAMI, FL, US, 33125

Company Name: State of Florida

Salary: $49000 – 52000 per year

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