NURSING PROGRAM SPECIALIST

Nursing Program Specialist - 64000538

Annual Salary: $60,000-$62,000

Location: Florida Department of Health in Seminole County, 400 W. Airport Blvd, Sanford, FL 32773

This position requires on call service as needed.

Nursing Program Specialist (NPS) is a highly responsible nursing position under the supervision of the Operations & Management Consultant Manager – SES ("Manager"). This position serves as a member of the Tuberculosis (TB) Program healthcare team to assess patient needs, plan and modify care, and implement healthcare and public health interventions. The role functions as an advanced, autonomous public health nursing position responsible for TB case management, clinical coordination, and epidemiological support.

Tuberculosis: Responsibilities include receiving referrals from community providers, hospitals, and laboratories for individuals with latent TB infection (LTBI) or suspected or confirmed active TB disease. Coordination with hospital infection preventionists is performed for medical records requests, along with comprehensive medical record abstraction to obtain history of present illness, risk factors, test results, comorbidities, and other pertinent epidemiological information for investigation. Performance measures are completed within guidelines established by the State TB Control Section (TBCS) and maintained through accurate, timely documentation and case management. Regular communication with TBCS and the TB Physicians Network (TBPN) is carried out to consult on and implement diagnostic and treatment plans for clients with active or suspected TB disease or LTBI. Responsibilities also include ordering initial medication and refills under authorized standing orders, protocols, or physician direction and issuing medications to clients as needed. Clinical progress, treatment compliance, and symptom changes related to TB and comorbidities are monitored, with concerns escalated to TBPN and TBCS. Support is provided to the Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS) regarding directly observed therapy (DOT), including performing DOT when necessary. Assistance is also provided in organizing contact investigations in household, occupational, and other settings. Data is collected from laboratory reports, patient charts, medical providers, schools, and other facilities to complete case and contact investigations. Duties include obtaining and organizing laboratory sample collection, such as blood, sputum for AFB/culture, therapeutic drug levels, and isolation-clearance specimens, to support diagnosis and treatment. Tuberculin skin tests (TSTs) are performed and interpreted as needed, and laboratory results are reviewed to guide further action. Healthcare facility and home visits are conducted to complete investigations, observe environmental conditions, counsel clients and families on disease transmission, and recommend preventative measures. All clinical services are documented in HMS, the TB Application Portal (TAP), and/or other systems required under TBCS guidelines.

Additional responsibilities include maintaining clinical and office supply inventory, attending assigned state and local TB meetings, providing education to healthcare facilities and providers on TB epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, and conducting targeted outreach in communities or populations at increased risk for TB or LTBI, offering education, testing, and coordination with TBPN for treatment when indicated.

Other Program Support: Cross training is provided across all nursing service departments to conduct health histories and initial assessments for programs including Refugee Health, Immunizations, HIV, STD, and Family Planning, as needed. Additional cross training is completed as time allows. Chart audits are conducted at the request of supervisors, including the Director of Nursing (DON), Assistant DON, or Epidemiology Program Supervisor. Appointment scheduling support is provided as needed, and all documentation is ensured to meet state and federal standards. Responsibilities include monitoring medication inventories and temperature logs to ensure samples, vaccines and medications are protected from loss, waste, or inventory discrepancies. Staff and assigned students are trained on clinical workflows and documentation standards, and attendance at all required state and local meetings is maintained. Participation in community outreach is provided as requested. Service is provided as the employee health nurse, delivering orientation on bloodborne pathogens, OSHA, employee health, and program overviews. The incumbent is required to work beyond normal hours during emergencies, natural disasters, outbreaks, pandemics, or terrorist events, performing necessary nursing and public health responsibilities. The incumbent will perform other duties as assigned and provide scheduled agency on call services as required. The employee will report to work in Sanford, FL to complete job duties. Remote work will not be considered.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Ability to determine work priorities and ensure proper completion of work assignments. Ability to effectively communicate and actively listen. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others. Ability to understand and apply public health laws, clinical protocols, and program-specific policies and procedures. Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret clinical and epidemiological data. Ability to work independently. Ability to solve problems and make decisions. Knowledge of the theories and concepts of preventive health care. Knowledge of nursing principles, practices, and techniques in specialized areas. Knowledge of community resources and organizations. Skill in the application of nursing theory in specialized areas. Ability to perform clinical assessments and interpret diagnostic results (labs, imaging, TST/IGRA, sputum testing). Ability to conduct field investigations, home visits, and healthcare facility assessments safely and professionally. Ability to manage infectious disease cases and apply principles of isolation, infection control, and disease transmission. Skill in implementing and monitoring treatment plans, including medication management and adherence strategies. Knowledge of epidemiological principles and communicable disease investigation practices. Ability to use clinical judgment to escalate concerns and consult with physicians or medical directors appropriately. Ability to provide patient education in a culturally competent manner. Ability to maintain accurate clinical documentation in multiple electronic systems. Ability to work in emergency response situations, including after-hours or surge operations. Skill in maintaining confidentiality and protecting patient health information. Skilled in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, Outlook), Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, HMS, TAP, Florida SHOTS, and Infinitt.

Qualifications: Minimum Licensure as a Registered Nurse in accordance with Chapter 464, Florida Statutes or eligible to practice nursing in accordance with Florida Administrative Code 210-8.22 or 8.27, HIV 500/501 certification, BLS certification. Up-to-date BLS Certification HIV 500/501 certification or obtains this certification within 90 days of hire. This position requires in-office or field work. Willing to physically come into the office daily and / perform field work as needed. Willing to work before, during, and/or beyond normal work hours or days in the event of an emergency. Able to perform phlebotomy on adults and children. Preferred Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from an accredited higher education institution. Experience working in a Tuberculosis, Refugee Health or Epidemiology Program at a tribal, local, or territorial health department. Experience in direct patient care, using electronic health records, and administering injectable medications. Knowledge of and skill in using Health Management System (HMS) and the Florida State Health Online Tracking System (FL SHOTS). Bilingual in English and Spanish.