HUMAN Services Program Consultant I - 64000922

Human Services Program Consultant I - 64000922

This is a Career Service Human Services Program Consultant I position working in the Lee County Health Department. This is a Human Services Program Consultant I position with the HIV/AIDS program in Area 8 A which includes Lee, Charlotte, and Hendry/Glades Counties. This position is responsible for developing, implementing and maintaining activities associated with surveillance and investigation of suspected and confirmed cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes (HIV/AIDS), and perinatally HIV exposed babies. This position functions under the supervision of the Area 8 HIV/AIDS Program Coordinator. This position requires that the individual possesses a high degree of technical knowledge of diseases, healthcare services, principles and methods of epidemiology and the ability to collect, compile, and analyze data from surveillance provider activities. This incumbent will provide surveillance services in Lee, Charlotte, and Hendry/Glades Counties. This position has access to the following information sets: Sexually Transmitted Diseases Management Information Systems (STARS), HIV/AIDS case reports, CAREWare, HMS, special health, medical records, TB, laboratory and vital statistics at all sites.

Consultation:

• Advises, assists, and performs as a liaison for the county health departments (CHD) in the assigned areas with planning, coordinating and evaluating program activities related to HIV/AIDS surveillance.
• Provides technical assistance, consultation and training to state, city or local health officials, private and public organizations, including organizations serving groups at increased risk of HIV/AIDS exposure.
• Assists in the development of various special studies of HIV/AIDS in selected populations in Florida, to include coordination of data collection activities, compilation of data and analysis and methods to expand the system for HIV/AIDS surveillance to ensure 100% reporting of all cases of HIV/AIDS.

Surveillance specific:

• Assists in the compilation of surveillance data and provides feedback to their respective counties of the areas of service and ensures accurate reporting of cases to the central office in Tallahassee.
• Establishes and maintains active liaison with medical institutions and medical specialists most likely to diagnose and provide treatment for HIV/AIDS patients, and perinatally exposed babies.
• Initiates routine procedures in conjunction with CHD personnel and determines if reported cases meet CDC case definition and assists in maintaining a registry of confidential reported cases.
• Investigate incomplete cases and provide in-service to providers to ascertain proper case reporting.

Activities and documentation:

• Attends conferences/educational programs and participate in local patient care committees and report to the HAPC and surveillance officers of Area 8 and submit, statistical, and program reports. Maintains current knowledge base of HIV infection by attending/participating in designed conference calls, seminars, and other educational programs.
• Reviews, reassigns, and monitors internal and external referrals to facilitate linkage to care and adherence to services.
• Keeps accurate records and makes them available for periodic reviews.

Teamwork:

• Works very closely with other disease control programs in this multi-county assignment. Assists in special epidemiologic investigations of all confirmed HIV/AIDS cases which are not members of known risk groups and aiding in general field investigations of cases or suspected cases of HIV/AIDS as designed by the central office in Tallahassee.
• Collaborates and coordinates with HIV testing, ARTAS Coordinators, Health Educator/Prevention & Training Consultants (PTCs) and Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS) staff at County Health Departments (CHD), public and private medical providers, HIV case managers, community-based organizations (CBO), Targeted Outreach for Pregnant Women Act (TOPWA) providers, State and County correctional staff, community health center, and other HIV testing sites in an effort to improve the HIV/AIDS system of care throughout area 8.

Miscellaneous Activities

• Information Custodian Designee: This position has the responsibility of being the Alternate Information Custodian for the HIV/AIDS Surveillance information set and, in the absence of the Information Custodian will perform related duties as defined in DOH 50-10.
• Attends and participates in general staff meetings and staff development, such as team/staff meetings and in-service/continuing education.
• Attends computer skills training classes as needed.
• Performs related duties as necessary including public health services during a disaster.
• Maintains timely submission of EARs and timesheets.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of principles, practices & procedures
• Knowledge of HIV/AIDS and basic epidemiology
• Knowledge of methods of compiling, organizing and analyzing data for the purpose of monitoring and evaluating
• Skill in operating a personal computer and software applications
• Skill in observing and evaluating the outcomes of a problem solution to identify lessons learned or redirect efforts
• Skill in listening to what other people are saying and asking questions as appropriate
• Ability to adjust actions in relation to others' actions
• Ability to identify things that must be changed to achieve a goal
• Ability to plan, organize & coordinate work assignments and communicate effectively verbally and in writing
• Ability to establish & maintain effective working relationship with others
• Ability to understand, interpret & apply applicable rules, regulations, policies & procedures
• Ability to prioritize individual workload
• Ability to frequently bend, kneel, reach, and sit or stand for long periods of time
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds as needed
• Ability to frequently use telephone, computer, copier and small hand tools, i.e.; stapler, scissors, etc.
• Ability to work independently or with minimal supervision

Licensure/registration/certification requirements (If applicable, list the appropriate Florida Statute or federal regulation cite): N/A

Other job-related requirements for this position:

• 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 or Red Cross 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.
• Incumbent must possess a valid Florida Driver License and have a motor vehicle to carry out these duties.
• Must be willing to undergo FIT testing
• Selected immunizations or titers and/or periodic screening for tuberculosis may be recommended for this position.
• This position is authorized to transport confidential information outside of established DOH-Lee facilities and must comply with parameters defined in DOHP 50-10.
• This position is classified as sensitive. This individual will perform tasks defined as sensitive and handles confidential information.
• This position will abide by all state and federal laws, rules, and DOH policies and procedures

Working hours: (A) Daily from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (B) Total hours in workweek 40 + 40 (C) Explain any variation in work (split shift, rotation, etc.) Note: May be required to work additional hours as needed

Where You Will Work: Fort Myers

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

• 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 a more complete list of benefits, including monthly costs, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

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: http://www