WNA Peer Counselor

SUMMARY

Public Health Foundation Enterprises WIC (“PHFE WIC”) a program of Heluna Health, employs staff who assist with providing healthy food, nutrition education, breastfeeding support and family resources to women, infants and children with locations throughout Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino Counties in California. Under the guidance of Federal, State, Heluna Health and PHFE WIC policies and regulations, this role supports WIC Program operations as set forth in this job description.

The WIC WNA Peer Counselor (WNA PC) provides education, counseling, and essential support to WIC participants to promote positive breastfeeding experiences. This entry-level role focuses on engaging with pregnant and postpartum individuals to encourage and sustain breastfeeding practices. The WNA PC plays a crucial part in WIC operations by assisting with participant enrollment, certification, nutrition education, and food benefit issuance, both in-person and virtually. By delivering excellent customer service and adhering to program guidelines, this role enhances participant satisfaction and supports public health initiatives.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Build and Maintain Relationships

• Engage with pregnant participants planning to breastfeed, establish trust and provide consistent support.
• Maintain regular communication through check-ins and follow-ups to ensure participants feel supported and informed throughout their pregnancy and breastfeeding journey.
• Develop a caseload of participants, track progress and provide personalized assistance as needed.

Provide Breastfeeding Education and Support

• Facilitate individual or group breastfeeding education sessions to promote infant health and nutrition.
• Address breastfeeding concerns, offer encouragement, and reinforce best practices to increase breastfeeding success rates.
• Adapt communication to accommodate diverse cultural backgrounds and learning styles.

Assess and Refer for Specialized Support

• Identify and refer participants requiring additional breastfeeding assistance due to unique challenges or concerns.
• Collaborate with the Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Supervisor or IBCLC to ensure participants receive the appropriate level of care and intervention.
• Maintain accurate documentation of referrals and follow-ups to track participant progress.

Assist WIC Participants (In-Person and Virtual)

• Provide direct assistance with enrollment, certification, and food benefit issuance, ensuring a smooth and efficient process.
• Use WIC systems to verify participant information, ensuring compliance with program policies and regulations.
• Troubleshoot issues related to participant accounts and escalate concerns as needed.

Provide Nutrition Education and WIC Orientation

• Deliver nutrition education and WIC orientation sessions to individual participants and groups.
• Adapt instructional methods to ensure participants understand key nutrition principles and program benefits.
• Monitor participant engagement and provide additional guidance as needed.

Complete Assigned Projects

• Assist with program-related projects, such as outreach initiatives, data collection, and updating educational materials.
• Contribute ideas and feedback to improve program efficiency and service delivery.
• Work collaboratively with team members to achieve project goals.

Maintain Daily Productivity Logs

• Accurately document daily activities, participant interactions, and service metrics.
• Use data to identify trends, improve service delivery, and ensure program accountability.
• Report challenges and suggest improvements to enhance operational effectiveness.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Provide support at various WIC Centers as needed, ensuring consistent service delivery.
• Participate in required training and ongoing professional development to stay informed of best practices.
• Step in to assist with WIC Center operations in the absence of supervisors and/or nutritionist, ensuring smooth workflow.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and welcoming WIC Center environment.
• Represent PHFE WIC in the community, building positive relationships with participants and stakeholders.
• Perform administrative tasks such as scheduling appointments, managing supplies, and handling inquiries.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience:

• High school diploma or GED.
• At least one year of customer service experience.
• Personal experience breastfeeding an infant.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills (bilingual preferred: English/Chinese, English/Vietnamese, or English/Spanish).
• Ability to present information clearly to individuals and small groups.
• Basic math, problem-solving, and reasoning skills.
• Strong listening and comprehension abilities.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and adhere to program policies.
• Proficiency in relevant software applications.
• Ability to manage changing priorities and unexpected events.
• Reliable transportation for work-related travel.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Stand: Occasionally
• Walk: Frequently
• Sit: Constantly
• Keyboarding and Typing: Constantly
• Reach Outward: Occasionally
• Reach Above Shoulder: Occasionally
• Climb, Crawl, Kneel, Bend: Occasionally
• Lift / Carry: (up to 10 lbs.): Occasionally
• Push/Pull: (up to 10 lbs.): Occasionally
• Vision: Constantly
• Taste/ Smell: Not Applicable

KEY:

• Not Applicable = Not required for essential functions

• Occasionally = (0 - 2 hrs./day)
• Frequently = (2 - 5 hrs./day)
• Constantly = (5+ hrs./day)

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Office setting with temperature control and moderate noise levels

EEOC STATEMENT

It is the policy of Heluna Health to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants, without regard to age (40 and over), national origin or ancestry, race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, reproductive health decision making, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or a record or history of cancer), AIDS or HIV, genetic information or characteristics, veteran status or military service.