OPS FAMILY SUPPORT WORKER - 64935321

State of Florida • Four Corners, FL

8d • Hybrid

About The Position

This position is for an OPS (Other Personnel Services) Family Support Worker, specifically a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor, within the Department of Health's WIC Program. The role involves providing professional breastfeeding support and education to participants, respecting their privacy, dignity, and cultural backgrounds. The peer counselor will encourage and support participants throughout their breastfeeding journey, teach basic breastfeeding techniques, identify and address concerns, and refer to appropriate resources when necessary. The position requires availability outside of usual clinic hours and may involve travel to different WIC sites.

Requirements

• 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.
• Exclusively breastfed an infant for at least 6 months.
• Willing to travel to different WIC sites in Lake County.
• Must be able to learn and communicate effectively, orally and in writing, in English.

Nice To Haves

• Experience providing individual or group education regarding breastfeeding.
• Experience talking and presenting to groups

Responsibilities

• Perform in a professional manner in all aspects of the peer counselor role, respecting participant privacy, dignity, and confidentiality.
• Respond sensitively to cultural attitudes and practices of participants and the community.
• Work within the policies and procedures of the WIC Program.
• Maintain records according to legal requirements and ethical practices.
• Recognize when assistance is needed and consult with supervisors and the WIC Designated Breastfeeding Expert (WIC DBE).
• Identify situations outside the Scope of Practice and refer as appropriate in a timely manner.
• Yield to the WIC DBE for situations out of the Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Scope of Practice.
• Acquire ongoing breastfeeding education to maintain and build knowledge and skills within the Scope of Practice.
• Use participant-focused communications techniques to best meet participant needs.
• Help participants identify the support available to them and educate family members.
• Help women identify their breastfeeding concerns, barriers, and solutions.
• Teach the reasons to breastfeed and the risks of not breastfeeding.
• Teach the importance of exclusive breastfeeding in the early weeks.
• Teach participants about the WIC food packages for breastfeeding mothers.
• Assist in infant feeding classes and peer support groups.
• Be available to WIC participants outside of usual clinic hours and outside of the clinic environment.
• Refer mothers to resources for support.
• Promote breastfeeding in the community, workplace, and health care system.
• Support breastfeeding participants from pregnancy through growth spurts, introducing solid foods, and weaning.
• Teach basic, evidenced-based techniques to help ensure a successful start in breastfeeding, including milk production, skin-to-skin care, positioning and latch, and milk expression and storage.
• Identify signs of the normal course of breastfeeding, including breastfeeding frequency and duration, infant feeding cues, and normal infant weight gain and stooling patterns.
• Provide anticipatory guidance to help prevent the occurrence of problems.
• Provide guidance to mothers regarding non-evidence-based breastfeeding information they receive.
• Help mothers plan for a return to work/school that supports the continuation of breastfeeding.
• Provide basic and timely problem-solving and support.
• Yield mothers experiencing difficulties to the WIC Designated Breastfeeding Expert.

Benefits

• 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)

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed