Ops Dietetic Technician - 64955108

Requisition No: 815417 

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: OPS DIETETIC TECHNICIAN - 64955108

Position Number: 64955108 

Salary:  $17.00 per hour 

Posting Closing Date: 01/15/2024 

Open Competitive

Your Specific Responsibilities:

This is a paraprofessional position as a Dietetic Technician for the Women, Infants and Children Nutrition Program in St. Johns County.  The position is responsible for promotion and supporting breastfeeding and providing basic breastfeeding education to WIC participants. This position will be expected to foster teamwork and assist staff when clinic is short.

• Counsels WIC pregnant and breastfeeding mothers by telephone at scheduled intervals determined by the local WIC Program. 
• Cross trained in anthropometric and hematological health data collection and will perform on prenatal participants receiving breastfeeding education and counseling in the WIC clinic. 
• Receives a caseload of WIC clients and makes routine periodic contacts with all clients assigned.
• Gives basic breastfeeding information and support to new mothers, including telling them about the benefits of breastfeeding, overcoming common barriers, and getting off to a good start with breastfeeding. She also helps mothers prevent and handle common breastfeeding concerns.
• Refers mothers, according to clinic-established protocols, to the:  WIC Nutritionist or Breastfeeding Coordinator, Lactation consultant, Certified Lactation Counselor, Designated Breastfeeding Expert, Public health programs in the community and/or Social service agencies.
• Cannot give medical advice.
• Is available outside usual 8 to 5 working hours to new mothers who are having breastfeeding problems.
• Keeps accurate records of all contacts made with WIC clients and documents encounters the same day.
• Attends, assists, and/or facilitates prenatal classes and breastfeeding support groups and documents enters the same day.
•  Attends scheduled staff meetings and breastfeeding conferences/workshops as assigned.
•  Reads assigned books and materials on breastfeeding that are provided by the supervisor.
•  May assist WIC staff in promoting breastfeeding peer counseling through special projects, health fairs, and other duties assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of basic breastfeeding practices.
• Enthusiastic about breastfeeding and have a desire and ability to assist mother from low income communities.
• Skillful in professional telephone etiquette.
• Skill typing and computer programs.
• Ability to record information accurately, file, and maintain records.
• Ability to plan, organize, manage time, meet deadlines, and work independently.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to establish and maintain working relationships with others. 
• Ability to maintain confidentiality in the workplace.

Qualifications:

Minimum - Must have breastfed at least one baby.  Must have access to a personal vehicle and valid State of driver's license.  Communicate with courtesy, respect and understanding in dealing with the clients and the staff at all times.  Complies with the Department of Health policies and laws.

Preferred - Breastfed a least one baby for 6 months.  Current or previous WIC client.

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:

St. Augustine

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 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.