OPS Breastfeeding Peer Counselor

Florida; Leesburg (FL); On-site; USD 17,000 - 22,000; Part time

Job summary

Florida Department of Health seeks an OPS Breastfeeding Peer Counselor to provide basic breastfeeding information and encouragement to WIC pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. The role supports clients in WIC clinics, hospitals, and by telephone from the incumbent’s home, maintaining confidentiality and accurate records in FL-WiSE.

Responsibilities include counseling, caseload management, and referrals to IBCLC or WIC nutritionists.

Qualifications

• Skills in using Windows-based software programs.
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies.

Responsibilities

• Promotes breastfeeding as the normal, preferred method of infant feeding by providing basic breastfeeding information to WIC clients.
• Provides support through personal interaction and information on aspects of normal breastfeeding.
• Counsels WIC pregnant and postpartum mothers through telephone contacts and in person in the WIC clinic or hospital.
• Reviews demographic and nutrition/medical data in the client’s WIC record in FL-WiSE and documents in the record.
• Receives a caseload of WIC pregnant and breastfeeding women and makes routine contacts with all mothers assigned.
• Accurately completes and submits administrative records (EARs, timesheets, leave requests, travel, monthly reports).
• Assists with presenting prenatal classes and breastfeeding support groups in WIC clinics as assigned.

Skills

Microsoft Windows based software

Plan organize coordinate work

Interpersonal relationships

Rule/regulation understanding

Job description

The State Personnel System is an E-Verify employer. For more information click on our E-Verify Website .

Requisition No:885842

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: OPS Breastfeeding Peer Counselor

A WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor is a paraprofessional support person who gives basic breastfeeding information and encouragement to WIC pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. The primary responsibilities are to provide basic social support and accurate breastfeeding information to WIC participants in various locations. The incumbent in this position is responsible for the integrity and confidentiality of data and client identity under her control. The incumbent in this position will have authorized "need to know" access to confidential WIC client records and FL-WiSE, the WIC database. Assignment of duty station, hours and days worked may vary based on agency needs. Incumbent will provide individual counseling. Work may be performed in the WIC clinic, hospital, and by telephone from the incumbent's home. This incumbent will be expected to keep a record of all activities and client contacts. The incumbent in this position will come to work and exhibit friendly customer service towards all clients and act respectfully and courteously to fellow employees and clients.

Promotes breastfeeding as the normal, preferred method of infant feeding by providing basic breastfeeding information to pregnant and breastfeeding WIC clients through peer to peer counselor contacts. Provides support through personal interaction, information on aspects of normal breastfeeding, anticipatory guidance to reduce the occurrence of problems, and/or additional information or resources to assist mothers to prevent, handle, and/or solve common breastfeeding concerns.

Counsels WIC pregnant and postpartum mothers through telephone contacts and in person in the WIC clinic or hospital. Accurately screens and assesses client’s breastfeeding status and needs, reviews demographic and nutrition/medical data in client’s WIC record in FL-WiSE, and documents in client’s WIC record.

Receives a caseload of WIC pregnant and breastfeeding women and makes routine contacts, per local agency protocols, with all mothers assigned. Provides follow-up breastfeeding services on all referrals received. Monitors the Lake-WIC Breastfeeding Helpline to return client calls after hours, according to a set schedule and per established guidelines. Respects each client by keeping her information confidential.

Assists with presenting prenatal classes and breastfeeding support groups in WIC clinics, according to local agency lesson plans and protocols.

Works within scope of practice of providing basic breastfeeding information and support to WIC clients. Provides appropriate referrals to International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), local agency breastfeeding expert, WIC nutritionist, other health care professional, and/or social services agencies. Follows-up with accurate documentation per established protocols as needed and/or required. Reports issues and concerns to Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Coordinator.

Accurately completes and submits all administrative records, including, but not limited to: EARs, timesheets, leave requests, travel, and monthly reports in a timely manner per Health Department policies and deadlines.

May assist WIC staff in promoting breastfeeding peer counseling through special projects, outreach breastfeeding events, and duties as assigned.

Attends breastfeeding training classes and supervised activities to increase skills and knowledge. Participates in WIC Program, Health Department and breastfeeding program meetings, in-service trainings, conferences, and workshops as assigned. Completes mandatory trainings timely.

Performs other related duties as assigned. Adheres to assigned work duties and work schedule as designated by supervisor.

Other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Skilled in the use of Microsoft Windows based computer software programs.

Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others

Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies.

Qualifications:

• Willing to work before, during, and/or beyond normal work hours or days in the event of an emergency. This may include working in a special needs or Red Cross shelter, 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
• Willing to travel to different WIC sites in Lake County
• H ave personal breastfeeding experience with at least six months of experience exclusively breastfeeding your infant

Preferred –

• Experience counseling clients in order to meet their particular needs
• Experience providing individual or group education regarding breastfeeding
• Experience talking and presenting to groups
• Bilingual (English and Spanish)

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 theHealthiestState 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:

Leesburg, FL

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:

• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan* - mandatory
• Reemployment Assistance (Unemployment Compensation) – mandatory
• Deferred Compensation – voluntary
• Employee Assistance Program – voluntary
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options

Your responses to qualifying questions for this position must be verifiable by documentation provided through the electronic application process.

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