NURSING PROGRAM SPECIALIST

Requisition No: 879092 Agency: Department of Health Working Title: NURSING PROGRAM SPECIALIST - 64002502 Position Number: 64002502 Salary: $73,000 - $74,588 annually Posting Closing Date: 07/15/2026 NURSING PROGRAM SPECIALIST Open Competitive Your Specific Responsibilities This is professional nursing work in the TB Control Program, managing TB Cases and Suspects, LTBI Program and Refugee Health Program. Serves as a team leader for the TB Control Health Services Representatives. Coordinates the TB Nursing services for all Health Units for Polk for case management, contact investigation, suspects, and latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) to include the following activities: Provides Case Management for all TB Cases in Polk County, also Latent TB Infection, and Contacts to TB Cases. Assists as needed in clinics with interviewing, assessments, counseling, and obtaining appropriate vital signs, vision test, skin tests, blood and sputum specimens per program requirements, HIV pre-and post-test counseling, administering medications. Communicates with hospital infection control coordinators, social workers, laboratories, physician’s offices, and other entities regarding TB Cases/Suspects, and LTBI patients to ensure continuity of care. Coordinates with Central Pharmacy, to ensure unit dose medications and Nurse Issuance medications are on hand for patients on Directly Observed Therapy Program, and LTBI Program. Maintains inventory of TB medications, enters data into HMS system, maintains health records, including electronic data. Assists physician in all Clinics, coordinates patient’s visits and chest x-rays, records, prescriptions, and follow up. Responsible for coordinating and managing LTBI Program. Assists with coordination of Health Service Representatives activities for DOT for all TB Cases/Suspects and LTBI cases as needed. Oversees and assists with Contact Investigations. Maintains patient records for all phases of case management Assists supervisor with organizing and accumulating statistical data and submitting reports to meet deadlines. Reviews all x-ray and lab reports. Reports all abnormal results to physician ASAP for appropriate intervention. Conducts home evaluations to assess risk of transmission and compliance with therapy, conducts hospital visits as needed. Conducts Case Management Team Meetings to keep staff and Physician of status and progress of all TB Cases and Suspects. Coordinates the screening and follow-up of refugees and immigrants arriving in Polk County. Maintains records and completes invoices. Provides Case management services for Hardee County to include TB Case Management, Contact Investigation, and scheduling for all TB Cases, TB Suspects and LTBI Patients. Also, provides Refugee Health services to Refugee Clients in Hardee County. Maintains client data in HMS. Assists in planning and conducting educational programs for community partners, and in conjunction with contact investigations. Attends committee meetings, conferences and workshops as related to the TB Program. Acts as Jail Liaison providing education, guidance, program evaluation and monitoring of patient records to ensure early detection and appropriate treatment of patients. Performs other related duties as required, including performance of additional interpreter duties, consistent with skill level and as needed. Directing the work and assignments for both DIS workers as it pertains to TB clients; Monitor the direct observation therapy schedule submitted by DIS workers; Take calls from staff if they will be late or absent – with notification to her direct supervisor; and monitor times of staff arriving and departing work location. Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Knowledge of nursing principles, practices, and techniques. Knowledge of human anatomy and physiology. Ability to administer prescribed medications. Ability to work with patients having a variety of physical problems. Knowledge of TB Case Management, and Contact Investigation. Skills in administering, reading, and interpreting tuberculin skin tests. Skills in HIV pre-and post-test counseling. Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others. Qualifications Licensure as a Registered Professional Nurse in accordance with Florida Statute 464 or eligible to practice nursing in accordance with Florida Administrative Code 210-8.27. Emergency Duty 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. Confidentiality Incumbent may have access to records containing Social Security numbers in the performance of their job duties. Where You Will Work Bartow, FL 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. Additional Requirements 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. 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. 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. Veterans’ Preference Pursuant to Chapter295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for post‑secondary educational requirements. Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation including character of service (for example, DD Form214 Member Copy#4) and any other documentation required by Rule55A‑7, Florida Administrative Code. Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here. All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement. Equal Employment Opportunity The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace. Drug‑Free Workplace The State of Florida supports a Drug‑Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section112.0455, F.S., Drug‑Free Workplace Act. #J-18808-Ljbffr