Lactation Specialist



Lactation Specialist

Salary

Depends on Qualifications

Location

Houston, TX

Job Type

Grant-funded Full-time

Job Number

06957

Department

Public Health Services

Opening Date

09/20/2021

Closing Date

10/19/2021 4:54 PM Central

Position Description

Under the supervision of the Nutrition Specialist: Outreach, the Lactation Specialist provides clinical lactation support and counseling for WIC clients who are having breastfeeding problems beyond the scope of the Breastfeeding Peer Counselor or Nutritionist’s skill levels. The Lactation Specialist provides training to WIC employees and other health care professionals as well as outreach to the community on the benefits and management of breastfeeding to support WIC program goals.

Breastfeeding Support 

  • Follows the local agency High Risk Referral Policy and procedures for follow up with High-Risk Lactation Referrals 
  • Evaluates and consults with WIC clients experiencing problems with breastfeeding by telephone, virtual appointment, at the client’s home, in the WIC clinic, or by hospital visit 
  • Coordinates the breastfeeding client’s care and follows up with the Physician, Family, and WIC staff to assure efficient service to clients 
  • Issues specialized equipment to breastfeeding mothers for management of specific breastfeeding problems as appropriate 
  • Makes referrals for medical follow up or other services as needed 
  • Documents client’s progress in the MIS record 
  • Complies with state and local WIC policies regarding the issuance of breast pumps 
  • Serves as the Designated Breastfeeding Expert (DBE) for HCPH WIC sites 
  • Provides coverage and participates in breastfeeding support groups, prenatal and postnatal classes on various breastfeeding topics
Community Engagement 
  • Participates in activities designed to promote the “Baby Friendly” initiative in hospitals, the “Mother Friendly” initiative in workplace settings, and other community breastfeeding initiatives 
  • Conducts outreach activities to inform community groups/agencies about WIC breastfeeding services 
  • Participates on committees with internal and external partner agencies as requested
Training Responsibilities 
  • Assists with breastfeeding training to Breastfeeding Peer Counselors upon hire as well as on-going training and coaching as needed 
  • Attends Breastfeeding Peer Counselor staff meetings as scheduled throughout the year
  • Assists with breastfeeding training to WIC Professional Staff as needed 
  • Assists with technical breastfeeding support to Breastfeeding Peer Counselors or WIC Professional Staff as needed 
  • Assists with breastfeeding SME training to other sections of HCPH as requested 
Administrative Tasks 
  • Participates as a member of the WIC management team in reviewing program operation and planning Participates with WIC administrative staff in clinical audits 
  • Provides coverage in WIC sites and for the HCPH Breastfeeding Helpline as needed 
  • Maintains a thorough knowledge of WIC State and Local Policies and Procedures and a good working knowledge of all aspects of WIC operation 
  • Maintains a thorough knowledge of HCPH policies and procedures which would enhance services to WIC clients
  • Participates in Public Health Preparedness training and activities as assigned
Other Responsibilities 
  • Other duties as assigned including special tasks involved in responding to an emergency event 
 
Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in nutrition, nursing, or a related health science field  
  • Must be an International Board - Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)
  • Experience with Lactation Consultant or Breastfeeding promotion, support and counseling experience in public health, hospital, or private practice 
  • Basic proficiency in current editions of Windows, MS Word, and MS Outlook Special Skills
  • Employee must demonstrate a philosophy consistent with the WIC Program philosophy that breastfeeding is the optimum method of infant feeding 
  • Employee must demonstrate skills in communicating effectively with WIC clients and WIC staff regarding breastfeeding promotion and counseling 
  • Employee must be able to cooperate, and communicate directly and effectively with site supervisors, nutritionists and/or other staff members to work as a team on breastfeeding issues regarding clients and Breastfeeding Peer Counselors
  • Employee must be in good health and physical condition sufficient to permit the full performance of the duties of this position. Incumbent must be able to lift children and equipment weighing up to 20 pounds
  • Transportation and a valid driver’s license (TX upon hire) are required for regular travel between WIC locations within Harris County
NOTE: To qualify for this position, required experience, education, knowledge and skills must be clearly stated in your application's employment history.  Resumes are welcome, but we do not useany information provided on your resume to qualify and refer you to the Hiring Department for consideration.

Preferences

  • Experience in WIC or other community nutrition program 
  • Previous customer service experience 
  • Previous experience in a clinical setting 
  • Experience with computer data entry and retrieval 
  • Ability to speak Spanish 

General Information

LOCATION:

  • Houston 77027
HOURS:
  • 40 Hours Per Week
SALARY:
  • Commensurate with Experience
  • Based on 26 Pay Periods
Additional Information - Core Competencies
Organizational Leadership
  • Understands the organizational mission.
  • Understands ethics and public good; is concerned with public trust.
  • Demonstrates respect for the opinions and beliefs of others.
Collaboration 
  • Demonstrates a sense of responsibility for the success of the group.
  • Collaborates with others to improve quality and address needs.
Innovation 
  • Ability to adapt to change.
Interpersonal Abilities/Personal Characteristics
  • Uses sound judgment.
  • Self-motivated.
  • Organizes and maintains a work environment to allow for maximum productivity.
Communication 
  • Communicates clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
  • Written and verbal English competency.
  • Able to read and follow directions.

Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date.

BENEFITS
Harris County offers a competitive benefits program, including comprehensive group health and related benefits plan as well as defined benefit retirement plan.
 
The following list of benefits is offered only to employees in regular (full-time) positions:
  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Wellness
  • Life Insurance
  • Long-term disability
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • 10 days of vacation each year for the first five (5) years of service. Accrual rates increase based on years of service.
  • 10 county holidays plus one (1) floating holiday
  • Professional development opportunities
  • Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan
  • Healthcare Reimbursement Account
  • 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
The following benefits are also available to regular (full-time) employment and may be available to part-time employees:
  • Retirement pension (TCDRS)
    •  Flexible schedules (varies by department)
      • Transportation Assistance (Metro RideSponsor Program)

In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, Group Health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.
For plan details, visit the Harris County benefits website:

01
Do you have a Bachelors Degree or higher in Nutrition, Nursing, or a related Health-Science field from an accredited college or university?
  • Yes
  • No
02
Please describe your educational background including level of education completed, area of study and completed major and minor programs.
03
Are you a International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)? (Must be currently certified)
  • Yes
  • No
04
Do you have verifiable experience with Lactation Consulting or Breastfeeding promotion, support, or Counseling experience in Public Health, Hospital, or Private Practice? (To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history).
  • Yes
  • No
05
Please provide details about your verifiable experience with Lactacion Consulting or Breastfeeding promtion, support and Counseling experience in Public Health, Hospital, or Private Practice. Please include your (a) role(s), (b) types of organizations, (c) scope of duties and responsibilities. If you do not have this experience, please type "None" in the space provided.
06
Which of the following describes your level of proficiency using a personal computer and common office software such as MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook). Please select your level of proficiency based on the following descriptions: Advanced: A person with this level of skills is able to produce very large, complex formal documents that require a table of contents, footnotes, endnotes, bookmarks, and other special elements; a wide range of graphic effects, and use advanced techniques for analyzing and manipulating data. Has full mastery of Macro commands and skills to tie the objects together into a cohesive system by using Macros and Visual Basic for Applications code. Makes interactive presentations by using hyperlinks and action buttons. Intermediate: A person with this level of skills is able to customize toolbars, import and insert graphs, embed Excel data, and elaborate reports. Understands the concepts of databases and is able to work with charts and to use the list management capabilities of Excel. Able to use complex query techniques, create efficient forms and reports, and create Macros to automate these forms. Makes interactive presentations by using hyperlinks and action buttons. Basic: A person with this level of skills is able to use basic formatting, editing, printing functions, and understands the document page setup. Has the ability to enter and correct data, modify a workbook, format a worksheet, and use printing functions. Understands the different database concepts and structures and is familiar with data validation and is able to create a simple presentation in PowerPoint, run it, and print it. Entry Level: A person with this level of skills has the ability to open, create, save and modify documents in Word, send and receive email in Outlook and create spreadsheets in Excel. Format documents for printing, comfortable using the printer menu to preview documents. Has ability to change the font, the margins, insert or delete pages and use the built-in spellchecker and grammar check.
  • Advanced
  • Intermediate
  • Basic
  • Entry Level
  • Not proficient
07
Do you have verifiable experience with WIC or other Community Nutrition program?
  • Yes
  • No
08
Do you have verifiable experience working in a Customer Service role?
  • Yes
  • No
09
Do you have verifiable experience working in a Clinical Setting?
  • Yes
  • No
10
Are you bilingual in Spanish?
  • Yes
  • No
11
This position requires a valid driver's license (TX Upon Hire). Do you have a valid driver's license?
  • Yes
  • No

Required Question

Agency
Harris County
Address
1111 Fannin St
Ste. 600
Houston, Texas, 77002
Phone
713-274-5445