HEALTH EDUCATOR - 64004757

State of Florida

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The WIC Breastfeeding (BF) Peer Counselor Coordinator is an individual with specialized credentials and extensive experience helping mothers with complex breastfeeding problems. The BF Peer Counselor Coordinator promotes breastfeeding as optimal infant nutrition and operates within the policies and procedures of the WIC program. This position is Jackson County’s Designated Breastfeeding Expert (DBE). Assists WIC mother/infant dyads with complex breastfeeding challenges and provides follow-up breastfeeding support to participants. Refers mom to her or her baby’s health care providers for further assessment and medical care, as appropriate. Acts on referrals from Peer Counselors and other WIC staff regarding complex breastfeeding challenges. Communicates regularly with supervisor. Meets with Peer Counselors at least monthly to review standards of care and provide breastfeeding updates and guidance. Distributes a caseload of clients to the peer counselors. Assists and monitors Peer Counselors in their work. Trains Peer Counselors (PC) and WIC staff per standardized curriculum. Provides PC communication including case consults, monthly meetings and ongoing updates, as needed. Monitors Peer Counselor documentation including Employee Activity Report and FL-WiSE client records and review of assignments. Timely and accurate data entry and written documentation including: FL-WiSE, Progress Notes, Employee Activity Reports in the Health Management System and timesheets bi-weekly in People First. Provides breastfeeding support outside the usual 8 to 5 working hours to WIC clients experiencing breastfeeding problems. Routinely communicates with the WIC Coordinator about all relevant activities, request and update. Completes Florida Department of Health, WIC and Breastfeeding trainings. Teaches prenatal breastfeeding classes. Documents education contact in FL-WiSE for clients attending prenatal breastfeeding class. Updates breastfeeding class lesson plan at least annually. Ensure the clinic environment clearly endorses breastfeeding, including updating bulletin boards and maintaining the nursing mother’s room. Promotes breastfeeding in the community. Maintains lactation credentials and certifications as acquires ongoing continuing education to stay abreast of current lactation profession information and enhance skills. Acts as a backup for certifying low-risk participants for program benefits based on established criteria. Performs and records accurate measurements as needed. Provides individual nutrition counseling for low-risk WIC participants based on nutritional assessments, anthropometric and laboratory data. Identifies high-risk clients and refers to a nutrition educator or licensed nutritionist for counseling and medical food prescription changes according to established guidelines in DHM 150-24. Documents counseling in the participant’s FL-WiSE record as appropriate. Utilizes established criteria to make standard food package changes for WIC contract formulas. Makes referrals to appropriate providers according to established procedures. Attends and actively participates in monthly breastfeeding conference calls, monthly WIC staff and Florida Department of Health meetings. Performs monthly breast pump inventory for Jackson County WIC, updates Breast pump policy and issues equipment in compliance with WIC procedures. Reviews, analyzes and reports on breastfeeding indicators at least quarterly. All other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Experience counseling breastfeeding mothers and infants who experience complex breastfeeding challenges
• Experience providing breastfeeding training and education
• Compassion and desire to help mothers resolve breastfeeding challenges
• Active listening, rapport building and communication
• Collaboration with other WIC staff and community partner(s)
• Literacy and Language skills appropriate to address the needs of a diverse population
• Proficiency in computer communication skills and applications.
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• Preferred Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC)
• Preferred Minimum of one year of experience in counseling breastfeeding women.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the supervision of staff including appraisals, planning and directing work, approving leave, and having the authority for hiring and taking disciplinary action or effectively recommending such actions.
• Assists WIC mother/infant dyads with complex breastfeeding challenges and provides follow-up breastfeeding support to participants.
• Refers mom to her or her baby’s health care providers for further assessment and medical care, as appropriate.
• Acts on referrals from Peer Counselors and other WIC staff regarding complex breastfeeding challenges.
• Meets with Peer Counselors at least monthly to review standards of care and provide breastfeeding updates and guidance.
• Distributes a caseload of clients to the peer counselors.
• Assists and monitors Peer Counselors in their work.
• Trains Peer Counselors (PC) and WIC staff per standardized curriculum.
• Provides PC communication including case consults, monthly meetings and ongoing updates, as needed.
• Monitors Peer Counselor documentation including Employee Activity Report and FL-WiSE client records and review of assignments.
• Timely and accurate data entry and written documentation including: FL-WiSE, Progress Notes, Employee Activity Reports in the Health Management System and timesheets bi-weekly in People First.
• Provides breastfeeding support outside the usual 8 to 5 working hours to WIC clients experiencing breastfeeding problems.
• Routinely communicates with the WIC Coordinator about all relevant activities, request and update.
• Completes Florida Department of Health, WIC and Breastfeeding trainings.
• Teaches prenatal breastfeeding classes.
• Documents education contact in FL-WiSE for clients attending prenatal breastfeeding class.
• Updates breastfeeding class lesson plan at least annually.
• Ensure the clinic environment clearly endorses breastfeeding, including updating bulletin boards and maintaining the nursing mother’s room.
• Promotes breastfeeding in the community.
• Maintains lactation credentials and certifications as acquires ongoing continuing education to stay abreast of current lactation profession information and enhance skills.
• Acts as a backup for certifying low-risk participants for program benefits based on established criteria.
• Performs and records accurate measurements as needed.
• Provides individual nutrition counseling for low-risk WIC participants based on nutritional assessments, anthropometric and laboratory data.
• Identifies high-risk clients and refers to a nutrition educator or licensed nutritionist for counseling and medical food prescription changes according to established guidelines in DHM 150-24.
• Documents counseling in the participant’s FL-WiSE record as appropriate.
• Utilizes established criteria to make standard food package changes for WIC contract formulas.
• Makes referrals to appropriate providers according to established procedures.
• Attends and actively participates in monthly breastfeeding conference calls, monthly WIC staff and Florida Department of Health meetings.
• Performs monthly breast pump inventory for Jackson County WIC, updates Breast pump policy and issues equipment in compliance with WIC procedures.
• Reviews, analyzes and reports on breastfeeding indicators at least quarterly.
• All other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• 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
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Tuition waivers

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed