About the role
Requisition No: 885538
Agency: Department of Health
Working Title: HEALTH SUPPORT TECHNICIAN - 64054668 1 1 1 1
Position Number: 64054668
Salary: $36,000 - $38,000 annually
Posting Closing Date: 11/01/2026
HEALTH SUPPORT TECHNICIAN
Open Competitive
Thank you for your interest in career opportunities with the Florida Department of Health in Polk County. If you are looking to establish a successful career in Public Health, you have come to the right place. Many of our innovative and successful health programs are recognized throughout Florida. We hope you decide to join our team! Applicants will be contacted directly if selected for an interview.
Your Specific Responsibilities:
The incumbent if part of a global public health organization and is expected to support the Florida Department of Health in Polk County in its mission to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts and its vision to be the Healthiest State in the Nation. Furthermore, the incumbent is expected to incorporate the agency values of Innovation, Collaboration, Accountability, Responsiveness and Excellence in all aspects of their work.
Incumbent is a Health Support Technician providing clinical services for clients in adult health/primary care, maternal/child health, family planning, and communicable disease under the direct supervision of the Senior Community Health Nurse Supervisor.
Performs Clinical duties as needed, including but not limited to:
- Maintains all equipment for clinic use, keeping it in good working order.
- Sets up each clinic exam room with the necessary equipment, gowns, gloves, etc.
- Directs patient to exam room; prepares patient for examination or treatment by physician or APRN.
- Inquires and document reason for visit, complaints and recent hospital visits.
- Takes temperature, pulse, blood pressure, height, and weight as needed.
- Assists during examination of patient. Prepares culture slides, hands the MD/APRN instruments and performs other related duties.
- Assists nurse with uncooperative patients during immunizations and blood sampling.
- Operates autoclave, sterilizing instruments, dressing supplies, scissors, etc.
- Cleans clinic rooms, including exam tables, cabinets, and sinks with special disinfectant solutions according to clinic policy and biohazardous waste policy.
- Prepares and packages educational material for clinic use.
- Removes contaminated red bags and containers from each exam room and places them in the biohazard storage room.
Performs Administrative duties as needed, including but not limited to:
- Perform reminder telephone calls to patients prior to their scheduled appointments.
- Assist with updating patient records with laboratory and x-ray results received.
- Assist with keeping the Standardized Lab Sheet current and relevant.
- Assist in keeping the Lab Manual updated, useful and implemented.
- Provide HIV education materials, including pamphlets and condoms to patients.
- Follow up with the provider and individual to confirm that the individual kept their set appointment.
- Assist with follow-up on delinquent patients, including letters, telephone calls, or home visits.
- Assist with answering incoming calls and directing calls for appropriate action.
- Schedules patient appointments as needed.
- Enter data as appropriate in HMS, tracking database, and other systems as appropriate.
- Advocate any issues and concerns on behalf of all the Lab HSTs to Administration.
- Continuing to build/sustain a culture of quality in all laboratory services and being available by phone for any questions or concerns.
- Prepares records and reports required by program components.
- Inventory and order supplies weekly as needed.
Performs Laboratory duties as needed, including but not limited to:
- Perform blood draws and tests on urine specimens including dipstick urinalysis, pregnancy, drug screen, and Chlamydia/Gonorrhea as ordered by the provider utilizing established procedures and record appropriate results in client’s record.
- Draw blood in the correct tubes, enter correct client information into computer, and send specimens to the correct lab.
- Properly process and prepare specimens for transport, file lab reports, and follow up on missing/late lab reports.
- Provides; documents HIV pre and post-test according to current protocols.
- Records temperatures twice daily of the Lab refrigerator and freezer on the temperature log. Contact supervisor if temperature is out of range.
- Performs other duties as required, including but not limited to:
- Maintains strict confidentiality at all times.
- Due to clinic demands and high patient volume, Incumbent may be assigned temporary duty in another clinic site within their assigned County.
- Assists with defrosting and cleaning clinic refrigerators for proper drug, vaccine, and specimen storage as needed.
- Assists with orientation of new employees, students and volunteers assigned to the clinic area.
- Maintains time/attendance/travel/EARs records.
- Attends staff meetings, general staff, training, and committee meetings in compliance with Health Department policy
- Performs other duties as required, including performance of additional interpreter duties, consistent with skill level, and as needed.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge of methods of compiling, organizing and analyzing data.
- Knowledge of basic medical terminology.
- Knowledge of basic computer software.
- Skill in using medical instruments or testing equipment.
- Skill in taking blood and urine specimens.
- Ability to interview patients and obtain a complete medical history.
- Ability to follow instructions.
- Ability to keep accurate records.
- Ability to conduct fact-finding interviews.
- Ability to analyze data.
- Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work activities.
- Ability to prepare records and reports.
- Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
- Ability to identify community resources.
- Ability to communicate effectively.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
Qualifications:
Minimum:
- Valid Florida Driver's License
- Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required
Preferred:
- Current Certification as a CNA, MA or Phlebotomy.
- Experience in Electronic Health Records
- Bilingual Spanish or Creole
Other job-related requirements for this position:
- 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.
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:
Lakeland, 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
(For more information, please click www.myfrs.com);
- Flexible Spending Accounts;
- Tuition waivers;
- And more!
For a more complete list of benefits, including monthly costs, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.
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: http://www.sss.gov
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.
The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.
Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-877-562-7287). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.
The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.
Florida has the third largest population of veterans in the nation with more than 1.5 million service men and women. The Florida Department of Health (department) is committed to serving members of the United States Armed Forces, veterans and their families by encouraging them to apply for vacancies that fit their area of knowledge and/or expertise. Through the Department's VALOR program, which expedites licensing for military veterans, the Department also waives initial licensing and application fees for military veterans who apply for a health care professional license within 60 months of an honorable discharge. These initiatives help ensure that the transition from military service into the workforce is as smooth as possible and reflects our appreciation for the dedication devoted to protecting our country.
If there are any problems applying online, please call People First Staffing Administration: (877) 562-7287.
Service Center hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., ET. TTY users, call (866) 221-0268.
The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.
Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.
The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.
VETERANS’ PREFERENCE. Pursuant to Chapter 295, 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 postsecondary educational requirements. Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here. All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.