WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor

WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor

A WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor is a paraprofessional support person who gives basic breastfeeding information and encouragement to WIC pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.

Examples of duties include:

• Support WIC mothers during a normal breastfeeding experience.
• Encourage and promote breastfeeding to WIC participants.
• Attend all clinic Breastfeeding classes to promote peer services, provide support, and education.
• Address specific concerns of WIC expectant/breastfeeding mothers and correct any misinformation.
• Share WIC-approved breastfeeding educational materials with participants.
• Counsel WIC pregnant and breastfeeding mothers over the telephone and in person at scheduled intervals.
• Follow up on WIC participants according to protocol.
• Be available to WIC participants outside of normal clinic hours.
• Provide support and information to WIC breastfeeding mothers who may need help and/or advice to continue breastfeeding while working or attending school.
• Teaches use, cleaning, and assembly of breast pumps to WIC moms.
• Assists in maintaining breast pump inventory and communicating pump supply needs to clinic staff and/or supervisor.
• Document appropriate counseling information, such as participant name, date, and time spent with participants on Breastfeeding Peer Counseling logs in a timely manner.
• Complete and submit Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Monthly Activity Report to the Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Supervisor by the fifth day of the following month.
• Document all contacts with participants in clinic records according to policy; keep all participant files in a secure area, in a locked drawer.
• Responsible for submitting work orders and communicating with Manager/Supervisor for clinic and personal maintenance, safety and technology issues.
• Required to activate and deactivate alarm systems at satellite WIC sites and ensure the building is locked and secured before leaving the premises.
• Attend all required meetings and in-services.
• Abiding by clinic policy concerning participant confidentiality.
• Provide appropriate referrals when needed.
• Complete required training in support of duties and responsibilities of this position.
• Other duties as assigned including those required to fulfill activities in support of public health emergency operations.
• Mandatory training: Counselors will receive all of the following training: WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Orientation, Breastfeeding Educator Course (completion required within one year of employment, with refresher completed at least every three years), and breast pump training.

Typical qualifications include:

• Possess a high school diploma or GED.
• Are receiving or have received WIC services.
• Have successfully breastfed at least one baby six months or longer.
• Possess good communication skills.
• Have access to a telephone and reliable transportation.
• Are enthusiastic about breastfeeding and a desire to help other mothers enjoy a positive experience.
• Bilingual in Spanish/English is required.
• Valid Oklahoma Driver's License required.
• Potential exposure to communicable diseases and a noisy and crowded work environment, which may lead to stressful conditions.
• Must maintain TCCHD records confidentiality unless officially authorized to release a record.
• Must possess ability and willingness to perform job-related travel.
• Flexibility to work extended daytime and evening hours, as necessary.
• FLSA Status: Non-Exempt.

We offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees including health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, and paid time off. Part-time employees who work an average of 20 hours per week over the course of a year, receive benefits on a pro-rated basis.