OPS FAMILY SUPPORT WORKER

Requisition No: 571286

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: OPS FAMILY SUPPORT WORKER - 64929075

Position Number: 64929075

Salary: $14.50 per hour

Posting Closing Date: 03/03/2022

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH – HILLSBOROUGH

Nutrition & WIC Services - Family Support Worker Breastfeeding Peer Counselor - 13601 N. 22nd Street, Tampa Florida 33613

Thank you for your interest in career opportunities with the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough 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.

The Florida Department of Health (DOH) is responsible for the health and safety of all citizens and visitors to the state. As a public health agency, the Florida Department of Health must monitor the health status of Floridians, diagnose and investigate health problems, and mobilize local communities to address health-related issues. The Florida Department of Health develops policies and plans that support health goals, enforce laws and regulations that protect the health of all residents and visitors, and link people to needed health care services. The Florida Department of Health also provides specialized assistance to pregnant women, infants, and children with special health care needs, regulates health care practitioners, and provides medical disability determinations.

Family Support Worker

This is a 12-month position with opportunity of extension if funding is available. Variable work shift Monday through Friday.

The Family Support Worker – Breastfeeding Peer Counselor is a paraprofessional support person who gives basic breastfeeding information and encouragement to WIC pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. The primary responsibilities are to provide basic social support and accurate breastfeeding information to WIC participants in various locations. This is a part-time position. This employee provides direct services under the direction and supervision of the Senior Public Health Nutrition Supervisor.

This employee may be assigned to provide breastfeeding services as required between multiple clinics throughout the county. This position requires travel.

Your Specific Responsibilities:

• Attends breastfeeding training classes to become a peer counselor.

• Promotes breastfeeding as the normal, preferred method of infant feeding by providing basic breastfeeding information to pregnant and breastfeeding WIC clients through peer-to-peer counselor contacts. Provides support through personal interaction, information on aspects of normal breastfeeding, anticipatory guidance to reduce the occurrence of problems, and/or additional information or resources to assist mothers to prevent, handle, and/or solve common breastfeeding concerns.
• Receives a caseload of WIC mothers and makes routine periodic contacts with all mothers assigned. Provides follow-up breastfeeding services on all referrals received. Respects each client by keeping her information confidential.
• Counsels pregnant and postpartum mothers in the WIC clinic or over the phone. Accurately screens and assesses client’s breastfeeding status and needs, reviews demographic and nutrition/medical data in client’s WIC record in FL-WiSE, and documents in client’s WIC record.
• Is available outside the WIC clinic and the usual 8 to 5 working schedules to new mothers who are having breastfeeding problems via Breastfeeding Helpline Cell phone during assignment rotation. Document contacts on the Loving Support to Manage Peer Counseling Program Prenatal and/or Postpartum Client Contact Forms and in FL-WiSE when they return to the WIC clinic.
• Submits and approves reports such as travel, People First and Health Management System (HMS) within the timeframe assigned.
• Attends breastfeeding training classes and supervised activities to increase skills and knowledge. Participates in WIC Program, Health Department and breastfeeding program meetings, in-service trainings, conferences, and workshops as assigned. Completes mandatory trainings timely.
• Works within scope of practice of providing basic breastfeeding information and support to WIC clients. Provides appropriate referrals to WIC Competent Professional Authority (CPA), International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), Local Agency Breastfeeding Expert, Breastfeeding Coordinator, Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Coordinator, other Health Care Professionals and/or social service agencies.
• At times, employee may be scheduled or assigned to work in other locations within Hillsborough County; travels to clinics and performs other duties as assigned by Senior Public Health Nutrition Supervisor.
• If fluent in another language, you may be required to assist with translating to ensure quality.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Effective verbal and written communications skills.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal WIC Program policies and procedures.
• Ability to use computer, printer, fax machine, copier, scanner, telephone.
• Computer skills: thorough knowledge, skills and ability to use Excel, Word, Outlook, FL WiSE.

Qualifications:

Minimum –

• Has breastfed at least one baby for a minimum of 6 months, within the last five years.
• Valid Driver’s License is required to obtain reimbursement for travel according to policy.
• Enthusiastic about breastfeeding.
• Does not hold a professional credential such as Registered Dietitian (RD), Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist (LD/N), Registered Nurse (RN), or International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC).

Preferred –

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Fluent reading, writing, and speaking both English and Spanish.

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:

University WIC Clinic, 13601 N. 22nd Street, Tampa Florida 33613

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 to attend State Universities/Community Colleges;
• And more!

For a more complete list of benefits, 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. Note: You will be required to provide your Social Security Number (SSN) to conduct this background check.

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.

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.

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.