OPS FAMILY SUPPORT WORKER - 64936139 1

Requisition No: 844889 

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: OPS FAMILY SUPPORT WORKER - 64936139 1

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 64936139 

Salary:  $15.00 per hour 

Posting Closing Date: 01/22/2025 

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*This is a part-time Other Personnel Service (OPS) Family Support Worker position working with the Department of Health in Lee County.*

Duties and Responsibilities

Complies with all WIC and DOH policies, operating procedures and directives, in accordance with DHM 150-24.  Selected immunizations or titers and/or periodic screening for tuberculosis may be recommended for this position.  This employee is at risk for exposure to blood-borne pathogens.  Travel to all sites may be involved in the performance of duties.  This position may serve clients that speak only Spanish, Creole or other languages.  It may require implementation of the Department’s Limited English Proficiency Plan. The person in this position will have authorized "need to know" access to confidential WIC client records and the WIC database. 

This position with the Department of Health in Lee County’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) provides basic breastfeeding education to WIC participants in various locations throughout Lee County.

Breastfeeding Peer Counselors are paraprofessionals, who are recruited and hired from WIC’s target population, are available to WIC clients outside usual clinic hours and outside of the WIC clinic environment, and have had previous experience with breastfeeding, having successfully breastfed at least one baby. 

Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Duties

Counsels WIC pregnant and breastfeeding mothers on normal breastfeeding related issues in the clinic or by telephone visits at scheduled intervals determined by the local WIC agency.

Breastfeeding Peer Counselors work approximately 20 hours a week.  Peer counselors work in an assigned clinic and are available to WIC clients by phone, through use of a state issued cell phone, outside of normal work hours, i.e. evenings up till 9:00 pm week days and on week-ends.   Time spent by Peer Counselors, contacting and assisting clients outside of regular work hours will be considered work time. Must get approval for any work time above 20 hours a week and cannot exceed 29 hours a week.

Receives a caseload of WIC clients to manage and routinely makes contacts with all clients assigned by the local agency breastfeeding coordinator or local agency breastfeeding peer counseling coordinator.

Gives basic breastfeeding information and support to WIC mothers to help them to successfully establish breastfeeding, overcome common barriers to breastfeeding, and prevent and handle common breastfeeding problems or concerns.

Respects each client by keeping her information strictly confidential.

Assists with the facilitation of breastfeeding classes and support groups.

Keeps accurate records of all contacts made with WIC clients.

Recognizes paraprofessional limitations and makes appropriate referrals to other breastfeeding, nutrition, nursing, or medical staff.

Works closely with local WIC agency, and Healthy Start, as well as with local breastfeeding coalitions.

Attends staff meetings, in-services, and workshops as appropriate and assigned.

Assists the local WIC agency in promoting breastfeeding through special projects and duties as assigned.

Completes required paper work as designated by the local WIC agency.

Calls supervisor if sick or absent from work. Follows the chain of command when supervisor not available.

Follows departmental and local WIC agency policies and procedures pertaining to breastfeeding, client confidentiality, data security, travel reimbursement and time reporting.

Understands WIC eligibility criteria and programmatic requirements in order to answer basic questions about WIC and make appropriate referrals.

Performs other related duties as required.

WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counseling grant funded peer counselors are not to:

Dispense or instruct in the use of loaner or single-user electric breast pumps except under unusual, extraordinary circumstances.

Be responsible for the cleaning of loaner electric breast pumps. 

Be responsible for the inventory of breastfeeding equipment/supplies.

Give medical advice or dispense information on breastfeeding and medications. All such questions are to be referred to the health care provider and the WIC agency breastfeeding specialist.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITES:

• Has breastfed at least one baby with minimal or no supplementation for at least 6 months (does not have to be currently breastfeeding) and wants to help other mothers enjoy a positive breastfeeding experience
• Knowledge of principles, practices & procedures
• Knowledge of correct spelling, punctuation & grammar usage
• Knowledge of standard business formats & styles for letters & business forms
• Knowledge of and ability to promote breastfeeding benefits
• Skill in operating a personal computer
• Ability to operate general office equipment
• Ability to follow office procedures & practices
• Ability to organize & maintain filing systems
• Ability to handle telephone calls in a courteous & effective manner
• Ability to plan, organize & coordinate work assignments & communicate effectively verbally & in writing
• Ability to establish & maintain effective working relationship with others
• Ability to understand, interpret & apply applicable rules, regulations, policies & procedures
• Ability to prioritize individual workload
• Ability to frequently bend, kneel, reach, and sit or stand for long periods of time
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds as needed
• Ability to frequently use telephone, computer, copier and small hand tools, i.e.; stapler, scissors, etc.
• Ability to work with occasional loud noises
• Ability to locate information that is listed alphabetically & numerically
• Ability to follow instructions
• Ability to review data for accuracy & completeness
• Ability to work independently or with minimal supervision

Other job-related requirements for this position:

• Incumbent 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 threats involving any disaster or threat of disaster, man-made or natural.
• This position will abide by all state and federal laws, rules, and DOH policies and procedures.

• Incumbent must possess a valid Florida Driver License and have a motor vehicle to carry out these duties.
• Incumbent will have access to records containing social security numbers in the performance of job duties.

• Selected immunizations or titers and/or periodic screening for tuberculosis may be recommended for this position.
• This position is authorized to transport confidential information outside of established DOH – Lee facilities and must comply with parameters defined in DOHP 50-10.
• This position is classified as sensitive. This individual will perform tasks defined as sensitive and handles confidential information. Background screening is a condition of employment.

Working hours: (A) Varies daily between 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. based on agency needs. (B) Total hours in workweek: 20 (C) Explain any variation in work: Provides breastfeeding support services after hours to by periodically checking messages and responding to calls left on state assigned cell phones between 9 am – 9 pm, 7 days a week.

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:

Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres, North Fort Myers

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 https://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.

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.

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.