HEALTH SUPPORT TECHNICIAN - 64051100

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WIC- Health Support Technician

Pending Anticipated Vacancy

Thank you for your interest in career opportunities with the Florida Department of Health in Highlands 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 incumbent is part of a global public health organization and is expected to support the Florida Department of Health in Highlands 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 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.

Duties and Responsibilities

This position is directly linked to the following DOH-Highlands Strategic Priorities: Stakeholder Satisfaction and Community Health Improvement

This incumbent, A Health Support Technician – Career Service is an employee of the Florida Department of Health in Highlands County, representing the agency and its mission and values. The incumbent is part of the organization and is expected to promote cooperation, courtesy, and teamwork in a diverse environment. The incumbent to this position performs health support functions and provides clerical support for the WIC Program primarily in the Sebring office, however assignment of Duty Station, hours and days worked are determined based on agency needs.

Determines WIC income eligibility of potential clients through face-to-face interviews in accordance with WIC Procedural Manual and FL WiSE User Manual. Performs height, weight, and finger stick/analyzer procedures on WIC clients in accordance with WIC Procedural Manual and FL WiSE User Manual. Accurately input data results into FL WiSE. Offers the opportunity for voter registration to each eligible participant/parent per the WIC Procedural Manual and FL WiSE User Manual.  Provides excellent customer service, phone etiquette and complaint management as defined by FDOH Highlands All Staff Standards of Performance Internal Operating Procedure (IOP).

Maintains adequate inventory of medical supplies and inspects and verifies calibration of anthropometric and hematologic equipment for their assigned office.

Obtains demographic data through telephone and face to face interviews with current and potential eligible WIC program participants. Inputs client data accurately and completely into FL WiSE. Schedules appointments for WIC program participants through the WIC appointment system. Answer questions from WIC participants and the general public regarding eligibility to the WIC program and services.

Evaluates program eligibility status of each WIC participant to ensure valid-benefits and/or formula issuance can be performed. Issues WIC program benefits and/or formula in accordance with procedures outline in WIC Procedural Manual and the FL WiSE User Manual. Assist in moving Direct Distribution Formula. Able to lift and move a minimum of 25 pounds.

Refers participants to the appropriate health department services, other state programs and to applicable community agencies and organizations. 

Provides participants with access to literature and guidance pertaining to breastfeeding and immunizations. Under the direction of the nutritionists can provide limited amount of nutrition education information and literature and ensure proper Nutrition Education contacts and/or appointments are given in accordance with the WIC Procedural Manual, FL WiSE Guide, FL WiSE Notes and WIC Memos. Participates in nutrition and breast-feeding education activities, as well as WIC program outreach activities events.

Attends & participates in staff/development, training, in-services & regularly scheduled departmental staff meetings.   Prepares & submits weekly EARs reports, biweekly timesheets & travel reimbursement, according to established format & procedures.  Performs other duties as assigned to support the Mission of the Highlands County Health Department.  All timesheets, EARs, mandatory training, travel documents and performance evaluations are completed and submitted accurately and by the established deadline without supervision.

Promotes and participates in a culture of organizational continuous quality improvement, participates in required training and quality improvement projects as outlined on annual performance expectations. Projects will exhibit linkage to the FDOH Strategic Plan and Public Health accreditation sustainability.

Promotes and participate in community outreach events and/or presentations as outlined on annual performance expectation. Each event and/or presentation must include programmatic information. Documentation is provided to the Outreach Coordinator by the 5th of the month and notated on EARs.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities, including utilization of equipment, required for the position:

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of principles and techniques of effective communication.
• Knowledge of anthropometric measurements, hemoglobin finger sticks, analyzers and readings for infants, children, and adults
• Knowledge of basic breastfeeding and nutrition concepts to assist clients in the second low risk contact 
• Knowledge of the methods of compiling, organizing, and analyzing data
• Knowledge of general office procedures

Skills:

• Skill in Microsoft Office Software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) and computer navigation
• Skill in obtaining the needed information to make a decision which benefits the client and WIC
• Skill in analyzing and explaining regulations, policies, and procedures

Abilities:

• Ability to accurately perform data entry
• Ability to perform anthropometrics and hemoglobin finger sticks/analyzer readings with accuracy for infants, children, and women
• Ability to perform basic nutrition guidance with clients for the second low risk nutrition contact for clients
• Ability to communicate effectively using various communication channels to provide education/training to audiences of varying literacy and comprehension levels.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to learn and navigate FL WiSE computer applications.
• Ability to accurately prepare and maintain records, files, and reports.
• Ability to learn and remain in compliance with all Florida Department of Health policies and internal operating procedures, Florida Statutes, and WIC Procedure Manual DHM 150-24, while completing job duties.
• Ability to process and handle confidential information with discretion. 
• Ability to perform height and weight measurements.
• Ability to reach, pull, and lift a minimum of 25 pounds.

Qualifications:

Minimum:

Valid Florida Driver's license or the ability to obtain one prior to hire.

Ability to reach, pull, and lift a minimum of 25 pounds.

Ability to accurately perform data entry.

Skill in Microsoft Office Software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) and computer navigation.

Preferred: 

Bilingual Spanish

Experience working with children 

Other job-related requirements for this position:

Incumbents 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.

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:

Florida Department of Health, Highlands County

7205 S George Blvd

Sebring, FL 33875

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 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 reflect 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.