PUBLIC HEALTH OUTREACH WORKER ASSISTANT 22091

07/01/92 E

This is the first class in the Public Health Outreach Worker series. This class performs duties that encourage clinic clients to choose breast-feeding as their method of infant feeding. The work is performed under the supervision of health care professionals in the clinic and sometimes in the patient's home. Positions in this class are trained to answer specific patient questions, give encouragement, and to demonstrate the technique of breast-feeding. This class is distinguished from the higher level Public Health Outreach Worker by the latter's responsibility for a variety of patient health care activities.

Complexity of Work: Performs work of routine difficulty in order to encourage Health Department patients to select breast-feeding as a method of infant feeding in order to promote infant well-being. Positions in this class meet with patients and families to suggest breast-feeding and offer support and encouragement to expectant mothers and are responsible for documenting all conversations with clients in the proper format in the patient file. The work includes demonstrating and instructing clients in the proper ways of holding a baby during feeding, and in understanding the changes in bodily functions, achieving a healthy diet, and the warning signs that may indicate the need to seek medical attention.

Supervision Given: Supervision is not a factor.

Supervision Received: Immediate supervision is received from a health care professional.

Scope: Assigned to a specific location, positions in this class promote breast-feeding as a positive alternative for infant feeding, which affects accuracy of information and patient understanding as to successful breast-feeding for both mother and infant.

Impact of Actions: Interaction with clients fosters a positive image of the local health department. Improper decisions could affect the general health of the infant and mother.

Personal Contacts: Internal and external contacts occur in the clinic or may take place in the client's home.

Knowledge: Knowledge of proper breast-feeding techniques, proper nutrition required for breast-feeding, and routine clinical procedures.

Skills: None identified for this class.

Abilities: Demonstrated ability to encourage and guide clients through the process of breast-feeding.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDE*

License or Certification: None.

Education or Training: Completion of high school or equivalent.

Level and Type of Experience: Some experience in a related capacity.

This is a new class, established July, 1992, as a result of an agency-wide study.