Health Support Technician

Health Support Technician -

The incumbent, a Health Support Technician, is an employee of the Florida Department of Health in DeSoto County, representing the agency and its mission and values. The incumbent is part of the organization and is expected to promote cooperation, courtesy, and teamwork in a diverse environment. The position is under the direct supervision of the Senior Public Health Nutritionist Supervisor.

Breastfeeding:
The incumbent, a Health Support Technician, is an employee of the Florida Department of Health in DeSoto County, working with the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and reports to Senior Public Health Nutritionist Supervisor. This position is primarily responsible for providing social support and accurate breastfeeding information to WIC participants. Provides basic breastfeeding support, and information and refers to Breastfeeding Expert when appropriate.

Promotes breastfeeding as the normal and preferred method of infant feeding in WIC clinics, support groups, and other locations as necessary. Directly encourages and supports breastfeeding clients through telephone contacts and in person. Provides basic breastfeeding information and assists in teaching clients the use of breastfeeding equipment, i.e., manual breast pumps. Helps in the management of common breastfeeding concerns and works with other lactation professionals to provide more specialized support through the utilization of the established referral system.

Is available outside scheduled working hours (5 PM to 9 PM on weekdays and 8 AM to 5 PM on weekends) to mothers who are having breastfeeding problems. Maintains and updates client files and provides follow-up service on all referrals received with proper documentation and confidentiality. Refers appropriately all breastfeeding clients as needed according to policies, protocol, and procedures.

Health Support Technician:
Performs and records accurate measurements for WIC clients for lengths/heights, weights and hemoglobin. Uses CDC approved equipment correctly and follows established protocols for obtaining accurate data. Initiates and plots appropriate growth graphs or grids for women, infants and children. Performs hemoglobin tests on WIC clients, as needed for certification and nutritional care plan recommendations. Records data accurately in the medical or administrative record as well as in the WIC Data system.

Regularly checks blood-testing equipment for accuracy per company standards. Maintains all necessary logs of data collected. Adheres to all medical protocols and safety standards to ensure the health of all clients and employees. Reviews and verifies the immunizations records and status of all children. Responsible for inputting immunization data in the immunization registry and following procedures to ensure clients receive and delinquent immunizations.

Determining income eligibility for program services and for providing program benefits to eligible participants. This position obtains demographic and health data through telephone and face to face interviews with current and potential WIC Program participants and inputs client information into the FL WiSE system. Determines income eligibility of current and potential WIC Program participants based on federal and state income guidelines and procedures for determining program eligibility.

Medicaid eligibility is done through the FL-WiSE system and through FMMIS to obtain adjunctive eligibility for the WIC Program. Evaluates program eligibility status of each client to ensure a valid benefit issuance can be performed. Provides Nutrition Education newsletters to WIC participants. Participates in nutrition education, breastfeeding and outreach…