WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor (part-time)

SUMMARY

This evolving part‑time position is located in the Operations Division with the Oklahoma City‑County Health Department (OCCHD). The employee is a paraprofessional support person who gives basic breastfeeding information and encouragement to WIC pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. These duties and responsibilities may be performed at the main and satellite clinics.

PRINCIPLE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

All employees must maintain a commitment to the OCCHD’s mission, vision, and strategic goals. This is not meant to be all‑inclusive, thus, other related activities or tasks may be assigned. Communication Skills Community Partnership Skills

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Support WIC mothers during a normal breastfeeding experience. Counsel new WIC mothers at certification. Promote breastfeeding to WIC participants. Address specific concerns of WIC expectant/breastfeeding mothers and correct misinformation. Share WIC‑approved breastfeeding educational materials with participants. Counsel WIC pregnancy and breastfeeding mothers over the telephone and in person (one‑on‑one) at scheduled intervals. Follow up on WIC participants according to protocol (refer to the Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Training Manual for recommended contact frequency). Be available to WIC participants outside usual clinic hours and outside the WIC clinic environment. Provide participants the telephone number to the Oklahoma Breastfeeding hotline for additional breastfeeding support from International Board‑Certified Lactation Consultants 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Provide support and information to WIC breastfeeding mothers who may need help and/or advice to continue breastfeeding while working or going to school. Assist with issuance of breast pumps and maintain breast pump inventory (must complete formal breast pump training prior to issuing breast pumps). Document appropriate counseling information, such as participant name, date and time spent with participants in clinic records within 24 hours of contact. Complete and turn in Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Monthly Activity Report to the local Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Coordinator according to WIC policy. Keep participant files in a secure environment, that is, a locked drawer, etc. Attending all Breastfeeding Peer Counselor meetings and in‑services. Abide by clinic policy concerning participant confidentiality and dress code. Provide appropriate referrals when needed. Breastfeeding Peer Counselors may also be allowed to bring their nursing baby/babies to work per the discretion of the local Administrator. Driving to off‑site locations to perform job duties as needed. Completes required training in support of duties and responsibilities of this position. At the direction of OCCHD Chief Executive Officer and Chief Health Officer or designee, the employee will be assigned a variety of specific job duties and responsibilities as a member of the OCCHD Emergency Preparedness and Response Program Team (i.e., Bioterrorism Response Program). Also, as a member of the OCCHD Emergency Preparedness and Response Team, the employee is required to complete all necessary responder training and may be designated as a member of the first‑responder team. In accordance with our designation of a PHAB Accredited health department and explicit commitment to a culture of continuous quality improvement, employees will receive Quality Improvement (QI) training deemed necessary by their supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS / REQUIREMENTS

Are receiving or have received WIC services. Have successfully breastfed at least one baby (not necessarily currently breastfeeding; at least six months of breastfeeding experience is preferred). Have access to a telephone and reliable transportation. Are enthusiastic about breastfeeding and have a desire to help other mothers enjoy a positive experience. Valid Oklahoma driver license required. Must be certified in CPR within 90 days of employment.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Skill in communicating with persons both orally and in writing using tact and diplomacy. Skill in developing and presenting nutrition education materials. Knowledge of providing nutrition education, counseling and consultation. Ability and willingness to maintain confidentiality. Ability and willingness to operate a personal computer. Ability and willingness to follow established policies and procedures. Ability and willingness to develop and maintain effective working relationships. Ability and willingness to follow safe working practices and procedures. Ability and willingness to assume responsibility for work product.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Primarily indoors in climate‑controlled building. No smoking or use of non‑smoking tobacco products is allowed at any time while conducting OCCHD business or in OCCHD vehicles or on OCCHD property. No use of cell phones or the use of electronic wireless communications devices used to write, send or read text-based communication while driving a motor vehicle on OCCHD business. May be subject to occasional standing for extended periods. Occasional travel to off‑site clinics. Periodically exposed to glare from a computer monitor. OSHA category: performs tasks that involve exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Arm/hand steadiness and digital dexterity sufficient to use equipment such as computer keyboard, ten‑key, lancet, etc. Vision sufficient to read and draft written communications such as computer printouts, instructions, hand‑ or machine‑generated documents, etc., as well as print on a computer monitor. Flexibility and coordination sufficient to operate a motor vehicle as needed. Speech and hearing sufficient to communicate with others, both via telephone, in a public presentation and face‑to‑face. Flexibility and strength sufficient to lift objects weighing up to 35 pounds, and move and carry equipment and supplies weighing up to 35 pounds. Flexibility sufficient to bend over exam table, stoop to pick up objects from floor etc.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

This position requires constant contact with other employees and with the public to give and receive information and/or to provide technical assistance. The employee may be required to occasionally deal with temperamental people.

SUPERVISION GIVEN AND RECEIVED / ACCOUNTABILITY

This employee is under the supervision of the immediate supervisor. Work product is subject to both specific and general review. The employee has no responsibility for supervision. Although this position has no direct accountability for any money or materials, the employee may make recommendations which result in the expenditure of significant funds.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Must have an operating vehicle available for use when field duties are required. Will be compliant on recommended immunizations required by the CDC as a healthcare worker and as defined within the scope of Emergency Response within 30 days of hire. Exceptions accepted with documented medical or religious accommodation. OCCHD will provide vaccinations at no charge to employees. May be required to work outside of regular business hours or assigned shift hours due to job responsibilities.

CONDITIONAL EMPLOYMENT

Employees who fall into the following categories are in conditional employment positions: a) Chief Executive Officer and Chief Health Officer; b) Senior Executive Team, Executive Team and Leadership Team employees who serve at the pleasure of the OCCHD Chief Executive Officer and Chief Health Officer; c) certain other OCCHD employees whose salaries, benefits, and/or overhead are based on available funds such as, but not limited to, revenue generating contracts, grants, or fee‑for‑service revenue. In other words, this means that if the funding or the program is terminated, cancelled, or non‑renewed, your employment terminates automatically. This position may be partially or fully funded by a grant. Successful candidate subject to background check, reference verification and drug screening.

AA/EOE

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