This Position Is Funded In Part Through Federal Funds

The Recruitment Range For This Position Is $43,738 - $52,651

The Public Health Sickle Cell Educator Counselor promotes prevention, education, early identification, diagnosis, and intervention of sickle cell disease. The role involves providing care coordination and related services to individuals and families identified with abnormal hemoglobin conditions, with a focus on assessment, client counseling, service referral, and care planning. This work is part of a broader public health initiative to improve long-term outcomes for those affected by hemoglobinopathies.

As part of the North Carolina Sickle Cell Syndrome Program (NCSCSP), the role contributes to statewide efforts to deliver comprehensive support for individuals and families impacted by sickle cell disease. This includes genetic education and counseling for the general public. Administered by the Women, Infant, and Community Wellness Section (WICWS), NCSCSP is aligned with public health goals to reduce infant mortality, improve preconception health, and enhance newborn screening. The position helps support these objectives through coordinated service delivery, education, and community-based engagement across the Section’s Infant and Community Health Branch.

Key Duties Include

• Conduct psychosocial assessments and provide individualized care coordination for clients with abnormal hemoglobin results.
• Develop and implement patient care plans with attention to reproductive and life planning needs.
• Provide non-directive genetic counseling tailored to client literacy and comprehension levels.
• Facilitate referrals to medical, educational, and social support services; confirm service receipt.
• Deliver one-on-one education and crisis intervention in home, clinic, or community-based settings.
• Organize and lead support groups for clients and families affected by sickle cell disease.
• Document service activities in the WCS-Web system, maintaining accurate client records.
• Plan and present educational workshops for clients, families, health professionals, and community partners.
• Provide consultation and technical assistance to public health and school staff regarding screening protocols and program procedures.
• Coordinate with county health departments to schedule client appointments and deliver follow-up services.
• This position provides services across multiple counties (Nash, Vance, Wake, and Warren) and works independently to plan, monitor, and implement program activities.
  
  

About the NC Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS):

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest, most complex agencies in the state, and has approximately 17,000 employees. It is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians, providing human service needs for special populations including individuals who are deaf, blind, developmentally disabled, and mentally ill, and helping poor North Carolinians achieve economic independence.

About The NC Division Of Public Health

The NC Division of Public Health works to promote and contribute to the highest possible level of health for the people of North Carolina. Our entire statewide system of public health has dedicated professionals who carry out our mission every day through a wide range of essential and activities touching the lives of everyone in our state.

Compensation And Benefits

The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits. Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis). Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave. In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees. Visit website for benefits: https://oshr.nc.gov/state-employee-resources/benefits

For more information about DHHS: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/Candidates now meet the minimum qualifications of a position if they have the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement.

The Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)/ Management Preferences are not required. Applicants that possess the following skills are preferred:

• Demonstrated experience conducting psychosocial assessments and developing individualized care or service plans for clients with chronic or genetic conditions, such as sickle cell disease or similar.
• Documented experience coordinating client referrals and follow-up across medical, behavioral health, and social services, preferably in community-based or rural environments.
• Proven experience delivering non-directive genetic counseling, using literacy assessments to tailor communication around abnormal medical results preferably directly related to hemoglobin.
• Experience using a web-based client management or care coordination system, such as WCS-Web or a similar platform.
• Documented experience planning and executing educational workshops and public health outreach.
  
  

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See https://oshr.nc.gov/experience-guide for details.

Qualified applicants must possess, and application must clearly reflect work experience that demonstrates the following:

Master's degree in social work from an appropriately accredited institution

OR

Master's degree in a human services field from an appropriately accredited institution and one year of directly related experience

OR

Bachelor's degree in social work from an appropriately accredited institution and one year of directly related experience

OR

Bachelor's degree in a human services field from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of directly related experience

OR

An equivalent combination of education and experience

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer who embraces an Employment First philosophy which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws and Executive Orders. We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job. For more information about DHHS: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/.

DHHS uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals. Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.

In accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order 303, our agency supports second-chance employment for individuals who were previously incarcerated, or justice involved. We invite all potential applicants to apply for positions for which they may be qualified.

Application Process

Be sure to complete the application in its entirety. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.

• Information should be provided in the appropriate areas, to include the following: Education, including high school and all degrees obtained, Work Experience, and Certificates & Licenses. It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive candidate information.
• Answers to Supplemental Questions are not a substitute for providing all relevant information within the body of your application. To receive credit for the supplemental questions, you must provide supporting information within the "Work Experience" section of the application, to support your answers.
• If multiple applications are submitted to an individual posting, only the most recent application received prior to the closing date will be accepted. Applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM on the closing date.
• Applicants may be subject to a criminal background check. All candidates selected for positions considered "Positions of Trust" will be subject to a criminal background check.
• Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account. Upon the closing date, applications are "Under Review" and will be screened by Human Resources for the qualified applicants. The hiring process may take several weeks.
• Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts and degree evaluations may be uploaded with your application. The State of North Carolina/Office of State Human Resources uses the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) as a referral resource for applicants who need to have their credentials certified as equivalent.
• For a list of organizations that perform this specialized service, please visit the NACES membership website at https://www.naces.org/members.
  
  

Degree/College Credit Verification

Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts, degree evaluations and cover letters may be uploaded with your application.

Veteran’s and National Guard Preference

• Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Member-4 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications.
• Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach an NGB 23A (RPAS), along with the state application if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing.
• Applicants who are former member of either the NC Army National Guard or the NC Air National Guard, with honorable discharge and six years of creditable service, must attach a copy of the DD 256 or NGB 22, along with the state application.
  
  

ADA Accommodations

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), DHHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, DHHS will ensure that people with disabilities, or known limitations covered by the PWFA, are provided with reasonable accommodation. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the person indicated below.

NEOGOV Technical Assistance

For technical issues with your application, please call the NeoGov Help Line at 877-204-4442. If you have a technical issue with your Government Jobs account, please call their Help Line at 1-855-524-5627.

Contact Information

If there are any questions about this posting, please contact Talent Acquisition at talentacquisition@dhhs.nc.gov.Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.