HEALTH EDUCATOR - 64004757

 Pay Plan: [[custSubGroup]]

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Open

Your Specific Responsibilities:

Responsible for the supervision of staff including appraisals, planning and directing work, approving leave, and having the authority for hiring and taking disciplinary action or effectively recommending such actions.

The WIC Breastfeeding (BF) Peer Counselor Coordinator is an individual with specialized credentials and extensive experience helping mothers with complex breastfeeding problems. The BF Peer Counselor Coordinator promotes breastfeeding as optimal infant nutrition and operates within the policies and procedures of the WIC program.

This position is Jackson County’s Designated Breastfeeding Expert (DBE). Assists WIC mother/infant dyads with complex breastfeeding challenges and provides follow-up breastfeeding support to participants. Refers mom to her or her baby’s health care providers for further assessment and medical care, as appropriate. Acts on referrals from Peer Counselors and other WIC staff regarding complex breastfeeding challenges. Communicates regularly with supervisor. Meets with Peer Counselors at least monthly to review standards of care and provide breastfeeding updates and guidance. Distributes a caseload of clients to the peer counselors. Assists and monitors Peer Counselors in their work.

Trains Peer Counselors (PC) and WIC staff per standardized curriculum. Provides PC communication including case consults, monthly meetings and ongoing updates, as needed. Monitors Peer Counselor documentation including Employee Activity Report and FL-WiSE client records and review of assignments. Timely and accurate data entry and written documentation including: FL-WiSE, Progress Notes, Employee Activity Reports in the Health Management System and timesheets bi-weekly in People First. Provides breastfeeding support outside the usual 8 to 5 working hours to WIC clients experiencing breastfeeding problems. Routinely communicates with the WIC Coordinator about all relevant activities, request and update. Completes Florida Department of Health, WIC and Breastfeeding trainings.

Teaches prenatal breastfeeding classes. Documents education contact in FL-WiSE for clients attending prenatal breastfeeding class. Updates breastfeeding class lesson plan at least annually. Ensure the clinic environment clearly endorses breastfeeding, including updating bulletin boards and maintaining the nursing mother’s room. Promotes breastfeeding in the community. Maintains lactation credentials and certifications as acquires ongoing continuing education to stay abreast of current lactation profession information and enhance skills.

Acts as a backup for certifying low-risk participants for program benefits based on established criteria. Performs and records accurate measurements as needed. Provides individual nutrition counseling for low-risk WIC participants based on nutritional assessments, anthropometric and laboratory data. Identifies high-risk clients and refers to a nutrition educator or licensed nutritionist for counseling and medical food prescription changes according to established guidelines in DHM 150-24. Documents counseling in the participant’s FL-WiSE record as appropriate. Utilizes established criteria to make standard food package changes for WIC contract formulas. Makes referrals to appropriate providers according to established procedures.

Attends and actively participates in monthly breastfeeding conference calls, monthly WIC staff and Florida Department of Health meetings. Performs monthly breast pump inventory for Jackson County WIC, updates Breast pump policy and issues equipment in compliance with WIC procedures. Reviews, analyzes and reports on breastfeeding indicators at least quarterly.

All other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Experience counseling breastfeeding mothers and infants who experience complex breastfeeding challenges
• Experience providing breastfeeding training and education
• Compassion and desire to help mothers resolve breastfeeding challenges
• Active listening, rapport building and communication
• Collaboration with other WIC staff and community partner(s)
• Literacy and Language skills appropriate to address the needs of a diverse population
• Proficiency in computer communication skills and applications.

Qualifications:

Preferred:

•  Preferred Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC)
• Preferred Minimum of one year of experience in counseling breastfeeding women.

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:

4979 Healthy Way Marianna, FL 32446

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.    

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.