OPS HEALTH SUPPORT SPECIALIST - 64909227

 Pay Plan: [[custSubGroup]]

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***OTHER PERSONNEL SERVICES (OPS)***

*EXTERNAL ADVERTISEMENT*

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

This position will be available to work as a Health Support Specialist in both Lecanto and Inverness locations. The incumbent will be required to work at either site with a scheduled or advance notification of changes. This is a highly skilled position which requires an expert understanding of the Federal WIC Program and the use of the WIC FL-WiSE data system with minimal supervision. Having successfully completed the Florida Paraprofessional Training modules, will assist in providing quality nutrition services to WIC participants in compliance with the Federal Regulations and state policies. The incumbent is expected to promote cooperation, courtesy, and teamwork, in a diverse environment and as an employee of the Department of Health Citrus County, represents the agency and its mission and values while acknowledging that all information held in health records is confidential, with access governed by the state and federal laws Confidential information includes the clients name, address, medical social and financial data and services received.

*Note: Your responses to qualifying questions for this position must be verifiable by documentation provided through the electronic application process. When completing the online application, all gaps of employment or education greater than 90 days starting from high school must be explained (approximate date, month, and year) identifying company name or if unemployed.  Incomplete applications/resumes will not be considered.

**This is an Other Personnel Services (OPS) temporary position working no more than 20 hours per week**

Your Specific Responsibilities:

Maintains current knowledge of the Federal WIC program regulations including WIC memos, WIC FL-WiSE clinic manual and the FL WIC Manual DHM 150-24. Accurately assesses and records income, demographic and other information necessary to determine WIC program eligibility and advises WIC participants of their rights and obligations per federal guidelines. Ensures that the Florida voter registration documentation and forms are completed accurately. Issue WIC EBT card benefits. Conducts an interactive, secondary low risk nutrition education contacts to WIC Clients and records their response. Assist in decreasing non-participation by contacting clients for appointments who appear on related reports such as the No Show and Clients Eligible for Benefits with No Future Appointment reports. Logs onto WIC call center to assist clients with scheduling appointments, issuing benefits, benefits explanation or appointments reminders. Ensures clients are provided accommodations for language. 

Obtains accurate data on height and weight measurement on women, infants, and children. Performs hemoglobin testing and records results electronically. Cleans equipment and area where blood work is done daily. Maintains “universal precautions.” Follows established guidelines and standards for safety in handling equipment, biological specimens and waste products to prevent exposure to blood borne pathogens. Assesses immunization status.  Completes lab/anthro and immunization sections in FL-WiSE.

Promotes and support breastfeeding initiatives. Refers all prenatal and breastfeeding clients to breastfeeding support staff. Participates in the annual Breastfeeding In-Service. 

Reads, understands, and implements directives and other duties as assigned. 

Completes and submits time sheets, EARS, and travel accurately and per established division and agency guidelines. 

Completes monthly formula and breast pump inventory. Cleans any returned breast pumps. Discards of any returned formula and foods according to policy. 

Other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of the current science and practice of food and nutrition, dietetics or food service. Knowledge of normal nutrition principles and food needs throughout the life cycle. Knowledge of meal planning, food budgeting and purchasing. Ability to provide nutrition education to others in groups or individual instruction. Ability to determine nutritional needs and develop nutrition education plans for individual who are low or high nutritional risk. Ability to educate individuals and families about food and nutritional needs. Ability to participate in education or in-service training programs through teaching classes, demonstrating food practices, giving talks, and developing or selecting educational materials. Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others. Ability to maintain records, communicate, maintain effective working relations and good rapport. Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Qualifications:

Minimum: 

• Valid driver’s license

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:

Lecanto/Inverness

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. As an OPS employee, the benefits below are available:

• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (mandatory)
• Participation in state group insurance (upon meeting eligibility requirements.  Consult with People First and/or the serving HR office)
• Workers’ Compensation (mandatory, if needed)
• Reemployment Assistance (Unemployment Compensation) (mandatory, if needed)
• Deferred Compensation (voluntary)
• Employee Assistance Program (voluntary)
• 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 reflect our appreciation for the dedication devoted to protecting our country.    

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.

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.