Health Support Specialist - 64004445

Requisition No: 821805 

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: HEALTH SUPPORT SPECIALIST - 64004445

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 64004445 

Salary:  32,760-33,400 

Posting Closing Date: 02/13/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Health Support Specialist

Open Competitive

$32,760 - 33,400Annually

This is a varied and paraprofessional Bilingual or Trilingual (English/Spanish and/or Creole) position. This position requires the ability to perform clinical and housekeeping support, clerical functions, accurate interpretation of English and Spanish (and Creole if capable) between staff and patients in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Clinic. Position requires the ability to determine the initial and continuing eligibility of applicants participating in the WIC program. Performs clinical and clerical functions under the supervision of the Public Health Nutrition Program Director. 

Access to confidential records and computer access will be based on the need to know when involved in specific patient's care, billing activities, ordering prescribed medications or supplies, investigating communicable disease reports, established quality improvement activities, i.e., peer review, records review audits, and investigating complaints.

Issues WIC benefits utilizing the FL-WiSE system. Reads active alerts in FL-WiSE for notifications of needed services prior to issuing benefits. Updates client address and phone number when needed. Advises clients of their rights and obligations and of other social and health services available. Offers and assists clients with voter registration according to WIC regulations. Informs clients when certification period is about to expire and appropriately documents this on the WIC VOC/ID card. Informs clients if they are categorically eligible for recertification and what will be needed for recertification. Accurately schedules next WIC appointment appropriately in the FL-WiSE system.  EBT cards are issued and documented appropriately. Clients are informed to keep EBT card safe and of replacement policy. Maintains security of EBT cards. Issues special formula. Completes appropriate documentation for each issuance.

Answers phones, provides information regarding the WIC program and makes client appointments. Informs supervisor when additional appointment slots are needed to meet processing standards for new WIC applicants; or rescheduling high risk contacts and mid-certifications. Reads active alerts for any specific instructions. Enters demographic information into FL-WiSE accurately. Carefully screens for existing participation in Florida WIC prior to establishing a new client number.

Interviews clients to accurately determine financial and categorical eligibility for WIC based on established criteria and enters information accurately into the FL-WiSE system. Uses the FMMIS system when needed to determine adjunctive eligibility. Completes appropriate paperwork for short certs and ineligibility, scans into FL-WiSE and provides original to client.  Ineligible clients are provided with Fair Hearing information. Appropriately determines physical presence, proof of residency, proof of income, proof of identity at certification and enters accurately into FL-WiSE. Applicants are advised of their rights and obligations.

Accurately interprets English/Spanish (and Creole if capable) for WIC staff and WIC clients when needed.

Accurately weights and measures all women, infants and children using scale and length/height board for client type. Follows WIC protocols when obtaining anthropometric measurements. Accurately documents information on routing form and in FL-WiSE. Maintains cleanliness of equipment between clients.

Performs finger sticks following universal precautions. Accurately obtains and documents Hgb information on routing form and FL-WiSE. Maintains a clean work environment in clinic rooms.

Maintains sharps container according to lab standards and biomedical waste plan. Maintains all Alere HemoPoint H2 and Maximo Pronto Meters according to manufacturers recommendations. Documents information in the proper location.

Interviews WIC clients and completes Nutrition History section in FL-WiSE. Informs nutrition staff of any information that needs to be addressed or clarified.

Assists and acts as backup for ordering special formula. Assists and acts as backup for Vendor Manager. Assists and acts as backup for: calibrating medical equipment, completing voter registration reports, completing duplicate enrollment report. Acts as backup for maintaining a two-month inventory of office supplies. Orders office supplies as needed. Acts as backup for maintaining a two-month inventory of medical supplies.

Completes required trainings in a timely manner.  Completes the Nutrition Through the Lifecycle nutrition modules during the probationary period, preferably within six months. When Nutrition Through the Lifecycle modules are completed, provides interactive nutrition education to client at every issuance using quarterly nutrition education kit. Documents education in FL-WiSE. 

Uses knowledge of quality improvement (QI) methods and processes to work with other staff to help identify opportunities for improvement and develop a culture of quality within DOH-Indian River; assists in improvement projects, as assigned.

Other related duties as assigned.

Willingness to work with children and infants.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of general office procedures and practices.
• Ability to prepare reports and correspondence.
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work activities.
• Ability to develop and implement office procedures.
• Ability to follow instructions.
• Ability to review data for accuracy and completeness.
• Ability to perform basic arithmetical calculations.
• Ability to perform finger sticks for WIC participants for the purpose of completing CLIA waived hemoglobin tests.
• Ability to calibrate and perform daily controls for Hemocue analyzers.
• Ability to take height and weight measurements.
• Ability to operate FL-WiSE Data System proficiently, scanners, pin pads, network printers and databases.
• Ability to work with others in an office setting.
• Knowledge of correct grammar.

Qualifications:

Minimum –

• Ability to communicate verbally in English and Spanish with fluency
• Willing to Interview and obtain confidential and demographic information experience (like answering phones, obtaining their address, email address, etc.).
• High School Diploma or GED

• 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 or threats involving any disaster or threat of disaster, man-made or natural.               

 Preferred –

• Ability to read, write and speak English, Spanish & Creole.
• Work experience in the WIC Program (from any state) or medical field or Public Health.
• Experience providing positive customer service 

Where You Will Work:

1900 27th St

Vero Beach, FL 32962

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.

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:

• Annual and Sick Leave benefits;
• Paid Paternity and Adoptive Leave up to 7 weeks;
• 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 (For more information, please click www.myfrs.com);
• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Tuition waivers;
• 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.

 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 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.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement. 

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.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educat...