SOCIAL SERVICES COUNSELOR - 64035533

Requisition No : 837578

Agency : Department of Health

Working Title : SOCIAL SERVICES COUNSELOR - 64035533

Pay Plan : Career Service

Position Number : 64035533

Salary : $41,000 - $45,000

Posting Closing Date : 09 / 24 / 2024

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Your Specific Responsibilities :

This position functions as home visitor that delivers education, care coordination, screening and interventions / referrals, follow-up in accessing prenatal care and other needed services, anticipatory guidance and ongoing support to participants who have risk factors associated with an increase in pre-term delivery, low birth weight delivery and / or infant mortality.

Services are provided to mitigate or eliminate these risk factors and address social determinants of health that contribute to adverse birth outcomes and developmental delay.

Responsibilities include case management of a large Healthy Start Maternal and Infant caseload and the assurance of continuity of care for clients.

Many are high-risk Healthy Start families and may include family violence, substance abuse, marital conflict, mental health, family dynamic issues and lack of health promotion orientation.

This position reports to the Program Administrator-SES.

Job Specific Standards :

• Provides Initial Intake, address risks, discuss available assets to offset the risk and promote all home visitation services in a positive supportive and engaging manner.
• Evaluate the participant’s service needs by determining the family assets, strengths, and resources to reduce risk status using risk appropriate care principles.
• Provide information about community maternal-child home visiting programs available in the community to improve the chances of a healthy outcome.
• Provide referrals to community resources
• Initiate the participant’s electronic record.
• Provide follow-up to the health care provider, the child’s primary care provider, or the referral source.
• Completes psychosocial assessments, planning and case management within the scope of (social work / nursing) practice utilizing state protocols, Healthy Start Program Standards and Guidelines and supervisor’s instructions.
• Performs psychosocial assessments with participants in the Healthy Start Program

that are at risk for poor outcomes.

• Provides an assessment of environmental; behavioral and social factors that impact on the pregnant woman and / or family’s health and ability to function.
• Provides prenatal and parenting education using standardized curriculum to Healthy Start clients and family members on various health issues related to pregnancy and parenting.
• Provides interconception education using a standardized curriculum.
• Provides clients clarification of and assistance with access to the health care delivery system.
• Refers clients to services based on needs identified during assessment and mutually established goals.
• Maintains necessary computer and time management to provide accurate, timely electronic record documentation of all Healthy Start activities in accordance with timelines necessary to meet Healthy Start contract requirements.
• Provides community-based case management / care coordination services for Healthy Start clients
• Provides home visits, parenting education, health education, and follow-up contacts to assure reduction of risks and completion of tasks and / or referrals.
• Provides screening for perinatal depression, intimate partner violence, tobacco / substance use and child development using validated tools at key intervals in pregnancy and following deliver.
• Utilizes the Individualized Plan of Care to assist the client identified needs, goals, interventions, and progress towards meeting the goal(s) based on the Healthy Start worker’s evaluation of the participants risks and needs.
• Coordinates services, reduces barriers, refers clients, and evaluates progress to maximize improved health status to ensure continuity of care.
• Provides assistance / referrals for child passenger safety education, installation, and distribution to promote injury prevention.
• Provides direction / assistance / referrals for Medicaid and Florida KidCare Insurance for uninsured women, children, and families.
• Counsels the individual and family to support the process of overcoming environmental, emotional or social problems that are affecting the health and well-being of the pregnant woman / mother / family.
• Observes for neglect or abuse, or potential for such and provides appropriate referrals and follow-up.
• Maintains comprehensive and confidential client records according to Healthy Start Guidelines, agency procedures and supervisor’s instructions.
• Acts as liaison between the substance exposed child / mother and family with health care providers and the Department of Children and Families
• Performs high-risk home evaluations on infants born to chemically dependent parents, following the Healthy Start Standards and Guidelines, Chapter VII, and the Florida Administrative Code 10D-115 Department Rules for the treatment of these families.
• Provides community-based case management / care coordination services to substance exposed newborns and their families
• Provides an oral report and / or a written report of the results of the Home Assessment and provision of future services to the Department of Children and Families.
• Provides or refers for crisis intervention.
• Provides on-going assessments of the safety, health, and developmental status of the reported child and educates the mother or care giver on ways to promote these factors.
• Provides parent education and anticipatory guidance based on observation of the mother / caregiver interaction with the child
• Evaluate developmental status and provide parents with education and

strategies

• Refers for identified services needs and monitor, support follow through on referrals
• Acts as liaison between the substance exposed child / mother and family with health care providers and the Department of Children and Families
• Participates in staffing of substance exposed children and high-risk families with other community agencies involved with the families, as requested.
• Promotes awareness of the Healthy Start program to clients, colleagues, and community groups according to State guidelines and supervisor’s instructions
• Participates in community agency meetings, state conferences and workshops regarding assigned areas of responsibility as requested.
• Cultivates and maintains professional linkages with colleagues in other community and state agencies.
• Evaluates care provided, participates in peer review audits of medical records, and works to improve quality of service and client satisfaction.
• Performs other related duties as necessary with adjustable scheduling.
• Adheres to the rules and regulations of Healthy Start as outlined in the 64F-3, Florida Administrative Code, and the Healthy Start Standards and Guidelines.
• Attends and participates in staff development and in-service / continuing education programs.
• Provides instruction and guidance to volunteers, student interns, paraprofessionals, and other Sarasota County Health Department (SCHD) staff on the psychosocial and interdisciplinary aspects of health care delivery.
• Follows Department of Health rules and regulations and departmental policies and procedures.
• Maintains client confidentiality in a manner consistent with Florida Statutes and SCHD and Department of Health (DOH) policy.
• Updates all electronic databases.
• Conducts follow up services on clients referred from SCHD clinics.
• Assists Manage Care Providers as needed to maintain the consistency and quality of services of the overall agency need.
• Maintains accurate / timely documentation of services and daily activity.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

• Knowledge of maternal / child health, breastfeeding, childbirth, infant care, and addiction issues
• Computer skills
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office
• Ability to use Florida Department of Health Health Management System (HMS)
• Case management skills
• Interpersonal skills

Qualifications : Minimum

Minimum

• Associate degree
• Current Florida driver’s license, or the ability to obtain one prior to hire

Preferred

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a Social Services field (required for higher end of salary range)
• Case management experience
• Home visitation experience
• Experience working with maternal / child health

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 :

William L. Little Health & Human Services Building

2200 Ringling Boulevard

Sarasota, FL 34237

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;
• 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.

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.

If there are any problems applying online, please call People First Staffing Administration : (877) 562-7287.

Service Center hours are Monday through Friday, 8 : 00 a.m. to 6 : 00 p.m., ET. TTY users, call (866) 221-0268

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.