WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor

Breastfeeding Peer Counselor

Be a part of the mission at Whitney Young Health (WYH) to provide high quality healthcare that is affordable and accessible to our diverse community.

WYH has a robust benefits package including generous time off, affordable health, dental and vision insurance, 401k with safe harbor employer match, tuition reimbursement, term life insurance, commuter benefits and more!

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Breastfeeding Peer Counselor represents Whitney M Young Jr Health Center (WYH) Women Infants and Children (WIC) program and supports pregnant and breastfeeding women to achieve their breastfeeding goals. Provides face-to-face counseling and support in accordance with NYS WIC Peer Counselor roles and responsibilities. This position can be part-time (20 hours) or full-time (40 hours).

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Must be knowledgeable of the following: various positioning techniques for mother and baby; increasing or decreasing the breast milk supply, including proportion of hind milk/foremilk; manual expression of breast milk; and safe and effective collection and storage of breastfeeding.
• Maintain contact with the provided list of WIC pregnant and breastfeeding women by phone on a routine basis.
• Meet with prenatal and breastfeeding women via telephone, email, text or in the clinic.
• Provide individual and group breastfeeding classes.
• Provide education, support and referrals to moms throughout their pregnancy and while breastfeeding utilizing counseling skills acquired during training.
• Be a resource for mothers to make connections to other community programs and services.
• Prepare mothers for what to expect in the first few hours and days of breastfeeding. Inform participants you can be contacted 24/7 through the breastfeeding hotline for assistance and support.
• Document all contacts and education in NYWIC breastfeeding notes within two hours of contact.
• Participate in and initiate outreach activities. Provide support to WIC staff for special breastfeeding projects, such as breastfeeding classes, support groups, community events or local agency projects.
• Submits PC productivity report weekly to the Breastfeeding Coordinator.
• Maintains a time record that shows a breakdown of their activities every day.
• Maintain compliance with local agency policies and procedures for breast pump issuance.
• Be available by WIC issued cell phone outside of normal WIC clinic hours for mothers who require breastfeeding support.
• Update WIC Breastfeeding Support Facebook page weekly with educational breastfeeding information.
• Design and implement an educational program that is culturally sensitive and cognizant of the clients' unique needs. Demonstrates excellence in both internal and external customer service.
• Understands and effectively communicates HIPAA compliance, corporate compliance and client confidentiality.
• Ensures and/or remains in compliance with local, state, and federal regulation, i.e. JCAHO, OASAS, and NYSHD.
• Adheres to the National Patient Safety Goals as defined by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and the Whitney M. Young Jr. Health Services.
• Completes other duties as assigned.

LIMITATIONS OF THE PEER COUNSELOR:

• The Peer counselor will NOT provide specific medical or nutritional advice.
• The Peer Counselor will NOT work unsupervised or without the collaboration of health care professionals.
• Contact with prenatal or postpartum mothers is best accomplished at clinic or through phone contacts.
• The Peer Counselor must inform the local agency of all activities for which she represents WIC.

Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Must have breastfed at least one child in the past 5 years; exhibits good nurturing skills; has consistent, reliable access to the WIC clinic phone. Must have access to reliable transportation to keep program commitments. Must project enthusiasm for assisting other women. Will need to complete the Peer Counselor Training Program through the WYH WIC agency before counseling begins.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other legally protected status.

Salary range: $16.00 - $21.50 hourly