OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST IV - 64858229

Requisition No: 844105 

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST IV - 64858229

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 64858229 

Salary:  $30.00 - $35.00 per hour 

Posting Closing Date: 01/28/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH - OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY

Division of Disease Control and Health Protection

Bureau of Epidemiology

This is a regional position that requires travel throughout the South Region: Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, Monroe therefore candidate will need to be living within this region.

 

 

Your Specific Responsibilities:

 

The Regional HAI Epidemiologists have extensive knowledge of the principles of HAI/AR, public health surveillance and the application of epidemiological methods to HAI/AR organisms. This position conducts epidemiologic investigations, surveillance, and interventions related to HAI/AR organisms to support health care facilities and county health departments. They will provide overall HAI/AR assistance within their region. 

• Serve as subject matter expert on IPC practices, HAI organisms, public health surveillance and epidemiological investigations. 
• Provide timely infection prevention and control consultation to county health departments, health care organizations, and congregate settings.  
• Analyze, evaluate, research, and interpret scientific guidelines/protocols, policies, and regulations. 
• Utilize and review Florida’s surveillance system, Merlin, to track outbreaks and investigate AR, MDRO, and non-AR cases. Review NHSN reports to identify opportunities for improving emerging threat detection and making recommendations for health care facilities that have the greatest need for improvement based on surveillance data.  
• Support HAI/AR epidemiological investigations including outbreak or case creation in Merlin
• Prepare and send CRO alerts and C. auris rule out notifications to CHDs and facilities. 
• Support onsite prevention and response infection prevention and control assessments as needed, including a review of health care facilities infection prevention plans, direct observation of infection control practices using a standardized tool (e.g., ICAR), and surveillance capacity. Conduct follow-up site assessments within 3 weeks of initial visit to ensure that the healthcare facility has implemented mitigation recommendations based on report findings.    
• Ensure findings from on-site visits and summarize them in a report and/or tracking system, with key findings and recommendations provided to the participating healthcare facility. Submit completed reports into the appropriate HAI SharePoint folder and REDCap, if applicable.  
• Train, coordinate, review, and evaluate the activities of disease surveillance and investigations. Provide education and training to county health departments on conducting HAI investigations and response (e.g. ICARs, contaminated medical products, routine facility outbreaks, etc…). 
• Coordinate laboratory support for testing and typing of specimens and isolates in collaboration with Bureau of Public Health Laboratories (BPHL)
• Collaborate with county health departments and health care facilities for improving outbreak detection and reporting. 
• Host regional meetings with county health department staff within their region.  
• Provide updates on investigations during Bureau of Epidemiology meetings.  
• Performs other related duties as assigned. 

 

Preferred:

• A master’s degree or higher in healthcare, public health, or related fields.