Arlene Paredes

This is an independent position involved primarily in the control and prevention of Tuberculosis (TB) with support activities provided in the program areas of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) as needed. This position is under the supervision of the Nursing Program Specialist for TB. Contributes to the organization’s culture of performance excellence by actively seeking to improve personal and organizational performance through measurement, analysis, knowledge management, and processes improvements and participation in performance management committees, councils, and/or workgroups. Continuously demonstrates the Department’s ICARE values. Makes home and field visits to TB program clients whether suspects, confirmed cases or contacts,to establish and maintain case management procedures meeting Department of Health (DOH) protocols and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines.

Monitors compliance with physician-prescribed therapy by means of Directly Observed Therapy (DOT), Directly Observed Preventive Therapy (DOPT), collecting specimens, observing for adverse reactions and providing patients and family with tuberculosis education. Conducts investigations to locate contact and delinquent or lost patients to be evaluated by arranging for testing as appropriate; data collection by screening for symptoms for active disease; and interviewing clients and contacts to identify priority risk factors by obtaining medical, family and lifestyle histories by observation and interview. Transports clients as needed. Initiates and coordinates case contact investigation which can include TB testing, sputum inductions, HIV Counseling and Testing and arranging for chest x-rays and physician clinic visits. Documents activities in the client’s HMS record following approved charting procedures.

Provides clinic coverage, on a rotating basis, with other HSR for STD/HIV testing and related clinic services. Locates and brings to examination, treatment and/or counseling STD/HIV suspects, contacts and associates as appropriate. Interviews patients diagnosed with STD and HIV following DOH protocols and CDC guidelines. Makes referrals for treatment as needed.

• Performs non-routine lab procedures in accordance with established and standardized procedures.
• Performs venipuncture’s, urine collection and finger sticks for all clinics and all age groups
• Performs laboratory tests which will include but not be limited to: urinalysis, hemoglobin, lead test.
• Acts as lead technician by monitoring the quality control of laboratory testing and proficiency testing.
• Performs daily maintenance of equipment.
• Prepares specimens for transport.
• Records and maintains records and results as required by Florida statutes.
• Receives and logs in lab slips and counts for statistical and monitoring purposes.
• Performs Laboratory testing and patient servicing in a Health Department laboratory either alone or in cooperation with another technician or technologist.
• Helps coordinate laboratory flow with nursing clinic supervisors and center supervisors.
• Enters laboratory results into EHR timely and accurate.
• Follows & complies with HIPPA guidelines.
• Performs duties as described in the Florida Department of Health's Information Security policies, Protocols and Procedures, ensuring client information is secure 100% of the time.
• Assesses needs and provides support to other clinical areas as needed.
• Records and maintains records and results as required by Florida statutes.
• Receives and logs in lab slips and counts for statistical and monitoring purposes.
• Coordinates correct of lab errors as needed. Serves as a main contact for State and contract labs.
• Receiving, labeling, and analyzing samples: This can include blood, tissue, and toxic samples.
• Designing and conducting laboratory testing: This should be done according to standard procedures.
• Conducting experiments: These experiments should be conducted under defined conditions to verify or reject hypotheses using scientific methods.
• Maintaining laboratory equipment: This can include performing equipment checks, instrument calibrations, cleaning, and sterilizing
• Quality assurance, Chemistry, Phlebotomy, Microbiology, Specimen testing and analysis, Data entry, PPE use, Laboratory safety, Patient care, and Interpersonal skills.

• Under general supervision, interviews, evaluates, and monitors clients, provides education, guidance and isolation/quarantine parameters based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as the Florida Department of Health in Broward County recommendations for those individuals who meet case definition for a confirmed, suspect, or probable case of a communicable disease.
• Interviews cases to establish the case history.
• Records and establishes the description and timeline of onset of symptoms and interviews case to determine all possibly exposed individuals.
• Obtains contact information for each of those individuals.
• Explains information and recommendations regarding isolation and quarantine parameters, services available to case, and monitors case for ongoing needs and disease clearance.
• Helps case develop an appropriate plan which may include referral to another agency or professional.
• Maintains detailed records of cases and assemble these into periodic reports.
• Data entry and familiarity with computer software programs.
• Answers telephone inquiries involved with contact tracing duties related to quarantine and monitoring of contacts.

• Responsible for overseeing daily operations of the donor floor including plasmapheresis donation procedures to ensure donor safety. Ensuring compliance with regulations, quality standards and company policies and procedures.
• Ensures donor confidentiality, meet customer service expectations, greet and acknowledge donors as they are assigned to donation area and after completing donation process.
• Reviews donor record files to ensure for completeness, accuracy, and in compliance with cGMP.
• Complies with federal, state, local and company-specific regulations related to quality of product, employee and donor safety and to the proper performance of day-to-day activities.
• Labels and ensures each unit and samples are labeled accurately.
• Set-up and prepare all equipment and disposable supplies for venipunctures and plasmapheresis procedures, and perform plasma collection.
• Supervises and performs venipuncture and plasma collection.
• Supervises the operation and maintenance of the automated plasmapheresis machines including response and evaluation of all alarms and machine errors, documentation of exceptions, etc.
• Removes and/or replaces equipment from service.
• Maintains proper ratio to ensure donor safety and to ensure quality of product.
• Ensure proper disposal of all contaminated disposable equipment.
• Maintains accurate and thorough documentation of necessary records, including PCS-2 Machine Logs.
• Supervises monitoring inventory levels, stocking supplies, and opening and closing lots for usage.
• Prepares weekly sta!ng schedules to accommodate breaks, vacation, and unplanned absences to determine optimal allocation of sta".
• Provide training for new sta" members and cross train sta" members in other departments.
• Oversees all donor floor personnel by delegating and coordinating sta" activities to increase e!ciency.
• Performs performance reviews of donor floor sta" and provides e"ective feedback regarding performance.
• Communicates with management regarding pertinent information regarding work areas.
• Maintains cleanliness of work area to ensure a clean and professional environment.
• Supervisors and develops donor floor sta" in accordance with the SOP, training and safety manuals, and follows all OSHA requirements.
• Educates new donors on the use of products made from donated plasma. This includes explaining the process, the tests performed, the appointment system, fees, center policies, proper nutrition and any other information pertinent to the donor. Ensure that all donors' questions are answered timely, accurately, and professionally.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as designated by management.
• Utilizes bilingual skills to communicate with donors, as need

• Responsibilities:
• Develop procedures to interact with patients and play a role in their overall healthcare experience as a PST Specialist
• Implement procedures for collection of specimens for processing and follow infection- control and safety procedures to minimize risk
• Oversee all shipping and receiving for specimens of a lab
• Experienced in blood collection, breath/saliva alcohol testing, LCM/Cyber tools, test cup, pediatric blood collections, and di!cult draws (patients in long-term care)
• Collaborated with other departments to improve quality assurance and compliance and restructure procedures resulting in 30% increase in visits daily
• Blood collection and venipuncture all ages.
• Conducted monthly inventory control for o!ce and medical supply count
• Register and collect patient and data information.
• Word processor 50+

• Responsibilities:
• Performs phlebotomy and collection procedures.
• Processes related to the collection of whole blood (and/or blood components) from donors according to the organization's policies and procedures, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations, and American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) standards.
• Obtains medical history and vitals from donors and/or patients.
• Performs phlebotomy and collection procedures to collect blood or blood components.
• Displays excellent customer service and professionalism towards all customers.
• Assists with the recruitment of potential apheresis, and bone marrow donors.