WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor

Breastfeeding Peer Counselor

Sea Mar Community Health Centers, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) founded in 1978, is a community-based organization committed to providing quality, comprehensive health, human, housing, educational and cultural services to diverse communities, specializing in service to Latinos in Washington State. Sea Mar proudly serves all persons without regard to race, ethnicity, immigration status, gender, or sexual orientation, and regardless of ability to pay for services. Sea Mar's network of services includes more than 90 medical, dental, and behavioral health clinics and a wide variety of nutritional, social, and educational services.

Breastfeeding Peer Counselor is responsible for supporting and providing breastfeeding information and encouragement to WIC pregnant and breastfeeding women. The Breastfeeding Peer Counselor is required to assist Lactation Promotion Supervisor as requested.

Essential duties and responsibilities include the following listed below. The Breastfeeding Peer Counselor may be required to perform other duties as assigned.

• Completes core breastfeeding peer counselor trainings and state and local orientations.
• Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to provide lactation care and support appropriate to the needs of the client.
• Provides education on basic breastfeeding principles, techniques, and strategies.
• Ensures availability to clients by phone when they need assistance, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Provides timely contact and follow-up to caseload of referred pregnant and breastfeeding clients.
• Maintains complete and up-to-date peer counselor notes.
• Recognizes when client issues are beyond the peer scope of practice and makes timely referrals to appropriate WIC or other professional personnel.
• Attends mandatory meetings and participates in required continuing education activities.
• Assists with breastfeeding promotion and community breastfeeding education as needed.
• Assures timely, friendly and effective quality of services throughout association with the client.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty at a satisfactory level. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Experience

Works efficiently and with self-direction.

Possess the ability to deal patiently and empathetically with multicultural clientele, even under stressful conditions.

Possess the ability to work cooperatively as a member of the health care team.

Conditions of Employment

This person must sign an oath of permanent confidentiality covering all patient-related information.

This person must receive a background check from the Washington State Patrol.

Require to travel

The Breastfeeding Peer Counselor shall sign and date the job description to affirm the validity of the information herein and to signify compliance with the conditions of employment, minimum qualifications and an understanding of the job responsibilities.

Education, Certificates, Licenses, Registrations, and Medical Screening

High School or GED diploma is required.

Previous/current breastfeeding experience at least one baby for at least 6 months.

Previous/current WIC participant.

Language Skills

Basic computer experience.

Possess writing skills sufficient to be understood by Registered Dietitians, WIC Clerks, Nutrition Assistants, the WIC Coordinator, Lactation Promotion Supervisor, and the WIC participant.

Bilingual, bicultural - English/Spanish preferred.

Mathematical Skills

Possess the ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Reasoning Ability Possess the ability to understand a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations, and Medical Screening

This person must have and maintain CPR certification bi-annually.

This person must have a TB test and a flu shot annually unless exemption from Administration is granted.

Additional Requirements

Pre-hire and annual employee health screening required.

Annual influenza vaccine required. Only exception is for employees with a medical or religious exemption approved by Administration. Employees with an approved medical or religious exemption must wear a mask at all times during the flu season.

Work Environment

The use of telephone/cell phone is high.

Works at home for a percentage of weekly hours; may work evenings, week-ends, and holidays per client needs.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to moderately high.

Physical Requirements

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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to fingers; required to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; speak and hear. Specific vision abilities are required in this job, including close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The person must be able to sit at a computer terminal for extended periods of time

Hourly - Hourly Plan, 21.30 USD Hourly

What We Offer:

Sea Mar offers talented and motivated people the opportunity to work in a dynamic and growing community health organization. Working at Sea Mar Community Health Centers is more than just a job, it's a fulfilling career with opportunity for advancement. The fringe benefits surpass most companies. For example, Full-time employees working 30 hours or more, receive an excellent benefit package of:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Prescription coverage
• Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• EAP (Employee Assistance Program)
• Paid-time-off starting at 24 days per year + 10 paid Holidays.
• We also offer 401(k)/Retirement options and an exciting opportunity to work in a culturally diverse environment.

Sea Mar is an equal opportunity employer.