BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST III - 64030018

Requisition No: 842706 

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST III - 64030018

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 64030018 

Salary:  $41,561 - $53,352 

Posting Closing Date: 12/17/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

 

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

 

The incumbent is part of a global public health organization and is expected to support the Florida Department of Health in Pasco County in its mission to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts and its efforts and its vision to be the Healthiest State in the Nation. Furthermore, the incumbent is expected to incorporate the agency values of Innovation, Collaboration, Accountability, Responsiveness and Excellence in all aspects of their work.

 

 

Your Specific Responsibilities:

 

Incumbent serves as a Biological Scientist III responsible for carrying out a range of investigative and analytical epidemiologic activities related to the surveillance, detection, and prevention of diseases and injuries.  Incumbent works as a team member, under the direction of an Operations & Management Consultant Manager-SES, conducting routine epidemiologic functions comprising surveillance, data collection, and data analysis using basic epidemiologic methods. 

 

The purpose of this position is to conduct epidemiologic investigations used in preventing and controlling specific communicable diseases.  Work efforts performed by the incumbent aid in monitoring the health status of the community, identifying trends or outbreaks of disease, and providing data and information about corrective actions to promote and protect public health.

 

The incumbent works independently as experience is acquired and receives assistance/guidance from Operations & Management Consultant Manager-SES on controversial issues or assignments for which precedent studies are not available.  Incumbent plans, coordinates, and carries out the steps, policies, procedures, and practices of epidemiological investigations.

 

Follows up and investigates suspect and confirmed reportable diseases and conditions per section 381.0031 F.S.  These are diseases and conditions which can impact the public health in the community.  Conditions include but are not limited to enteric diseases, vaccine preventable disease, meningitis, hepatitis, parasitic diseases, zoonotic diseases, bioterrorism agents and toxins.  Collects data from laboratory reports, patient charts, members of the medical community, schools, and other facilities to complete epidemiological reports on ill patients and contacts. Obtains and arranges for collection of laboratory samples for confirmation of diagnoses for release of patients to occupations and schools. Make hospital and health care facility visits, home visits to complete epidemiological reports, observe conditions, teach, counsel and recommend course of action on mode of disease transmission and preventative measures as necessary.  Coordinates prophylactic treatment or immunizations as needed.  Provides technical assistance for the required reporting of communicable diseases and conditions in Pasco County including but not limited to assisting in outbreak management.  Produces final reports, publications and newsletters regarding outbreaks, disease trends, prevention messages etc. Works under the supervision of the Epidemiology Program Manager to coordinate the activities of the Rabies Prevention Program including:  maintaining vaccine inventory and appropriate vaccine storage protocols, assuring appropriate referral to appropriate medical provider, immunizations program, or other entity for completion of rabies vaccine series, and documenting any refusal of services or delayed treatment. Works with animal control in conducting animal exposure investigations.  Performs food/drinking water/recreational waterborne illness investigations from intake to final reporting out of case.

 

Develops and/or uses databases and softw