Conducts investigations of assigned cases of reportable diseases or conditions according to the applicable case handling guidelines of the Epidemiology Program and the Florida Department of Health Bureau of Epidemiology text The County Health Department Epidemiology Guide to Disease Surveillance and Investigations (Guide). - Contacts physician offices, laboratories, hospitals and clients for information to complete an epidemiology report. - Performs record reviews on hospital records when needed. - Provides basic information on reporting to physician offices or clinics when appropriate. - Conducts investigations of reportable diseases to determine the source of infection and prevent the spread of illness. - Interviews patients by telephone, or when necessary, conducts field visits for interviews. Provides disease information to the client on the condition being investigated and educates the client on necessary preventive measures. - Elicits contacts appropriate for testing and/or immunization and provides education. - Performs collection of specimens in the field when necessary. - Contacts appropriate daycare, school, food service or health care agency to determine if other cases of the illness exist in that setting and to provide education to those agencies. - Coordinates with environmental health, disease control programs, health centers and other CHD staff. Case investigations will begin according to the time frame stated in the Guide or the week of receipt and investigations will generally be completed and documented within one month of receipt in the Epidemiology office. - Advises Epidemiologist of outbreak situations. - Conducts surveillance for disease trends. - Assists or leads investigations of outbreaks and disease control activities. - Assists with departmental projects. Presents information concerning the epidemiology program, disease reporting and intervention, and assists in training of staff and students. - Participates in Health Fairs. - Attends meetings, seminars, workshops and training as required. - Performs input of completed reportable and non-reportable disease cases in the Merlin or other databases. - Performs other data input as needed. Input will be accurate and timely. - Performs related duties as required. Minimum Qualifications: - One year of Customer service experience in a fast-paced environment - Experience entering electronic lab results into a database - One year of experience in a health department/medical office/clinic environment - Experience conducting case investigations and patient interviews Preferred Qualifications: - Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Natural Science or Social Work preferred - Two years of experience in a health department/medical office/clinic environment 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. Where You Will Work:4704 B West Montgomery Avenue Tampa, FL33616 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 for State Universities/ Community Colleges. - And more! For a State of Florida Total Compensation Estimator visit State of Florida Total Compensation Estimator (myflorida.com) For a more complete list of benefits, 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. All Florida Department of Health positions require the incumbent to be able to learn and communicate effectively, orally and in writing, in English. Applicants who do not meet this requirement will not be considered.