Counselor Assistant (Public Health/WIC)-Florence County Health Dept./Headquarters Lake City HD
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Provides information, encouragement, and support to pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers within their scope of practice to participants receiving WIC services. These contacts may be conducted by telephone, in-home visits, correspondence, and/or occur at other assigned facilities.
Provides information through individual and group contacts. Counsel using techniques that elicit and address clients concerns and needs.
Provides routine breastfeeding follow-up and support for breastfeeding mothers via telephone calls and text messages, breastfeeding class, and/or clinic visits, hospital visits, and when indicated, home visits under supervision.
Refers identified high-risk mother and babies to the Breastfeeding Coordinator and other appropriate health and medical professionals.
Participates in providing breastfeeding educational in-services for staff and community groups.
Distributes appropriate educational and correspondence materials as needed.
Conducts and helps facilitate the following classes: How to Breastfeed, Circle of Friends, and Prenatal Class (assists with site CPA).
Educate new mothers in the hospital on breastfeeding and other WIC services.
Assists with patient instruction, issuance, documentation, and maintenance of electric pumps and other devices.
Participates in continuing education, workshops, and in-services to update breastfeeding promotion and lactation management skills.
Requirements
State Minimum Requirements: A high school diploma and relevant human services or social services experience.
Institutions of Higher Learning must be recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Agency Additional Requirements: A mother who has successfully breastfed at least one (1) child, who is easily accessible and willing to be trained to provide individual or group breastfeeding counseling and support to women participating in WIC, using protocols established by the SC WIC program. Displays high enthusiasm for promoting and supporting breastfeeding. High school diploma. Experience as a WIC participant.
You must possess a valid driver's license and have access to a reliable transportation.
This position may require working early (before 8:30 am), evening (after 5:00 pm) and/or Saturday's.
Ability to lift 30 pounds and stand for long periods of time, if required.
Applicants indicating college credit or degree(s) on the application may upload an unofficial copy of the transcript as an attachment to the application. Please note that the agency will require an official, certified copy of the transcript or diploma prior to hiring.
IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS: All new employees who are healthcare providers with job-specific exposure risk are required to provide documentation of immunity or be immunized against measles, mumps, rubella, pertussis, varicella, and Hepatitis B prior to beginning employment.
Must be able to respond timely and appropriately to frequently changing conditions and to make recommendations concerning procedural improvement to office/maintenance operations.
Must be able to drive to outlying counties and to non-traditional settings.
May be required to travel overnight.
Must be able to bend, stoop, and lift 30 pounds, if required..
Employees are required to participate in disaster preparedness during hazardous weather or other public health emergency, which involves being subject to duty and or available during an emergency response via communications device on a 24-hour basis; and participates in/responds to Public Health Outbreaks and other priority response efforts.
Qualifications
EEO:
SC DHEC is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employing agency. We are committed to a diverse workforce. SC DHEC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.
Applicants needing an accommodation for medical reasons or a sincerely held religious belief may submit a request for an accommodation. Accommodations may be granted if it doesn't impose an undue hardship or pose a direct threat to the health and safety of others.
EDUCATION:
Applicants indicating college credit or degree(s) on the application may upload an unofficial copy of the transcript as an attachment to the application. Please note that the agency may require an official, certified copy of the transcript or diploma prior to hiring. Institutions of higher learning must be recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
DRIVING RECORD:
If this position requires the applicant to possess a valid driver's license to operate a state vehicle or personal vehicle, any applicant being considered in the final stages of selection for the position will be required to provide a certified copy of a 10-year driving record.
WORK/LIFE BALANCE:
If you are looking for work/life balance, this is the place to be. Easy pace, terrific area to raise a family, low cost of living, beautiful area – close to the beaches and the mountains. Low median cost of living, low taxes, and excellent school systems.
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control offers an exceptional benefits package for FTE positions that include:
Health, Dental, Vision, Long-Term Disability, and Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse & Children
15 Days Annual (Vacation) Leave per year
15 Days Sick Leave per year
13 Paid Holidays per year
Paid Parental Leave (PPL) Six Weeks for mother per year/Two Weeks for partner per year
State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation Program
Connect with Local, State, and Territorial Health Departments
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