Family Support Worker - 64003836

Family Support Worker - 64003836

This is a paraprofessional Career Service position as a Family Support Worker and assumes the role of the WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor with the Department of Health in Hendry County (DOH-Hendry). Employee will be tasked to provide one-on-one peer support to clients in the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program. The incumbent is expected to work with a high degree of independence and must be relied upon to maintain patient confidentiality and adhere to HIPPA guidelines, while providing excellent customer service. The incumbent will work a total of 40 hours per week, which includes being available to support clients after office-hours and on weekends.

This position is based at Clewiston, Florida and reports to the Public Health Nutrition Program Director/Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Coordinator.

• Accurately screens and assesses client's breastfeeding status and needs, reviews demographic and nutrition/medical data, and accurately documents in client's record on FL-WiSE and/or on program approved contact forms. Works within scope of practice of providing basic breastfeeding information to WIC clients while maintain client privacy and confidentiality. Provides appropriate referrals to International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), local agency and community breastfeeding experts, WIC nutritionists, other health care professionals, and/or social services agencies.
• Assists WIC staff in promoting breastfeeding peer counseling through prenatal support classes, special projects, and outreach breastfeeding events. Attends additional breastfeeding training classes, supervised activities, State meetings, and in-services to increase skills and knowledge. Works with community hospitals to visit with WIC clients who have recently delivered and need breastfeeding support.
• Accurately completes and submits all administrative records, including, but not limited to mandatory trainings, EARs, timesheets, leave requests, travel, and monthly reports in a timely manner according to Health Department policies.
• Other duties as assigned

Working hours: (A) Daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (B) Total hours in workweek 40 (C) Explain any variation in work (split shift, rotation, etc.)

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Must have breastfed at least one baby.
• Knowledge of Statutes and Rules and Regulations that pertain to the WIC program
• Knowledge of principles, practices & office procedures
• Knowledge of correct spelling, punctuation & grammar usage
• Knowledge of standard business formats & styles for letters & business forms
• Knowledge of prenatal, breastfeeding, postpartum, infant and children nutrition
• Knowledge of breastfeeding benefits and ability to promote and educate on it
• Knowledge of the methods of data collection
• Knowledge of the principles & techniques of records management
• Knowledge of planning principles & techniques
• Skill in operating a personal computer
• Ability to provide breastfeeding support for individuals and groups
• Ability to operate general office equipment
• Ability to train others and deal effectively with a variety of people
• Ability to follow office procedures and practices
• Ability to organize and maintain filing systems
• Ability to handle telephone calls in a courteous and effective manner
• Ability to plan, organize & coordinate work assignments & communicate effectively verbally & in writing
• Ability to establish & maintain effective working relationship with others
• Ability to understand, interpret & apply applicable rules, regulations, polices & procedures
• Ability to prioritize individual workload, prepare reports & maintain records
• Ability to frequently bend, kneel, reach, and sit or stand for long periods of time
• Ability to frequently use telephone, computer, copier and small hand tools, i.e. Stapler, scissors, etc.
• Ability to work with occasional loud noises
• Ability to follow instructions
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds as needed
• Ability to review data for accuracy & completeness
• Ability to work independently or with minimal supervision
• Ability to work indoors with occasional temperature changes

Qualifications:

• Incumbent must possess a valid Florida driver's license or the ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire.
• Must be willing to work at other WIC satellite clinics as needed.
• Must be available by phone for clients after office-hours until 9:00 pm and on weekends.
• Breastfeeding experience is required.
• Must be willing to work during or beyond normal work hours or days in the event of an emergency. Emergency duty required of the incumbent of this position 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.

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:

Innovation: We search for creative solutions and manage resources wisely.

Collaboration: We use teamwork to achieve common goals & solve problems.

Accountability: We perform with integrity & respect.

Responsiveness: We achieve our mission by serving our customers & engaging our partners.

Excellence: We promote quality outcomes through learning & continuous performance improvement.

Where You Will Work: Hendry County

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

• 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 a more complete list of benefits, including monthly costs, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

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).

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