State of Florida
Requisition No: 862900
Agency: Department of Health
Working Title: OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST IV - 64852381
Pay Plan: Temp
Position Number: 64852381
Salary: $30 - $35/HR
Posting Closing Date: 11/03/2025
Overview 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.
Responsibilities
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, including 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 mitigation recommendations were implemented.
Summarize on-site findings in reports and/or tracking system with key recommendations; submit completed reports to 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).
Coordinate laboratory support for testing and typing of specimens and isolates in collaboration with the Bureau of Public Health Laboratories (BPHL).
Collaborate with county health departments and health care facilities to improve outbreak detection and reporting.
Host regional meetings with county health department staff within their region.
Provide updates on investigations during Bureau of Epidemiology meetings.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
Required Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities Knowledge of epidemiology, including the effects of interactions between populations, causative factors, and environment. Knowledge of program policies and administrative guidance related to surveillance and investigation of infectious and non-infectious disease conditions. Knowledge of health care associated infections and infection control protocols. Ability to communicate in writing and orally. Ability to analyze, evaluate, research and interpret scientific guidelines/protocols, policies, and regulations. Ability to coordinate meetings and trainings.
Qualifications Minimum Qualifications:
High school diploma
Preferred Qualifications:
A master’s degree or higher in healthcare, public health, or related fields.
3 years of experience conducting on-site and/or remote health care facility infection control assessments.
Certification in infection control preferred but not required.
Mission, Vision, and Values Florida Department of Health Mission, Vision, and Values: 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: Innovation; Collaboration; Accountability; Responsiveness; Excellence.
Work Location Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes, Washington, Bay, Jackson, Calhoun, Gulf, Liberty, Gadsden, Franklin, Leon, Wakulla, Jefferson, Madison, Taylor
Benefits The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida: OPS employee benefits include retirement plans, insurance, workers’ compensation, unemployment benefits, deferred compensation, employee assistance program, and more. For a complete list, visit the official benefits site.
Equal Opportunity and Additional Information The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should notify the agency hiring authority. The State supports a Drug-Free workplace and may require background checks, drug screening, E-Verify, and other employment verification as applicable.
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Overview 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.
Responsibilities
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, including 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 mitigation recommendations were implemented.
Summarize on-site findings in reports and/or tracking system with key recommendations; submit completed reports to 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).
Coordinate laboratory support for testing and typing of specimens and isolates in collaboration with the Bureau of Public Health Laboratories (BPHL).
Collaborate with county health departments and health care facilities to improve outbreak detection and reporting.
Host regional meetings with county health department staff within their region.
Provide updates on investigations during Bureau of Epidemiology meetings.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
Required Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities Knowledge of epidemiology, including the effects of interactions between populations, causative factors, and environment. Knowledge of program policies and administrative guidance related to surveillance and investigation of infectious and non-infectious disease conditions. Knowledge of health care associated infections and infection control protocols. Ability to communicate in writing and orally. Ability to analyze, evaluate, research and interpret scientific guidelines/protocols, policies, and regulations. Ability to coordinate meetings and trainings.
Qualifications Minimum Qualifications:
High school diploma
Preferred Qualifications:
A master’s degree or higher in healthcare, public health, or related fields.
3 years of experience conducting on-site and/or remote health care facility infection control assessments.
Certification in infection control preferred but not required.
Mission, Vision, and Values Florida Department of Health Mission, Vision, and Values: 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: Innovation; Collaboration; Accountability; Responsiveness; Excellence.
Work Location Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes, Washington, Bay, Jackson, Calhoun, Gulf, Liberty, Gadsden, Franklin, Leon, Wakulla, Jefferson, Madison, Taylor
Benefits The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida: OPS employee benefits include retirement plans, insurance, workers’ compensation, unemployment benefits, deferred compensation, employee assistance program, and more. For a complete list, visit the official benefits site.
Equal Opportunity and Additional Information The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should notify the agency hiring authority. The State supports a Drug-Free workplace and may require background checks, drug screening, E-Verify, and other employment verification as applicable.
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