Breastfeeding Peer Counselor

Overview

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Requisition No:868035
Agency:
Department of Health

Working Title:

Breastfeeding Peer Counselor

* This is a part-time Other Personnel Service (OPS) Family Support Worker position working with the Department of Health in Lee County.*

The person in this position will have authorized "need to know" access to confidential WIC client records and the WIC database. This position may serve clients that speak only Spanish, Creole, or other languages. It may require performance of interpreter duties, if bi-lingual, or implementation of the Department’s Limited English Proficiency Plan.

This position with the Department of Health in Lee County’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) provides basic breastfeeding education to WIC participants in various locations throughout Lee County.

Breastfeeding Peer Counselors are paraprofessionals, who are recruited and hired from WIC’s target population, are available to WIC clients outside usual clinic hours and outside of the WIC clinic environment, and have had previous experience with breastfeeding, having successfully breastfed at least one baby.

• Counsels WIC pregnant and breastfeeding mothers on normal breastfeeding related issues in the clinic or by telephone visits at scheduled intervals determined by the local WIC agency.
• Breastfeeding Peer Counselors work approximately 20 hours a week. They work in an assigned clinic and are available to WIC clients by phone, through use of a state issued cell phone, outside of normal work hours, i.e. evenings up till 9:00 pm week days and on weekends. Time spent by Peer Counselors contacting and assisting clients outside of regular work hours will be considered work time.
  
  Must get approval for any work time above 20 hours a week and cannot exceed 29 hours a week.
• Receives a caseload of WIC clients to manage and routinely makes contacts with all clients assigned by the local agency breastfeeding coordinator or local agency breastfeeding peer counseling coordinator.
• Gives basic breastfeeding information and support to WIC mothers to help them establish breastfeeding, overcome common barriers, and prevent and handle common breastfeeding problems or concerns.
• Respects each client by keeping her information strictly confidential.
• Assists with the facilitation of breastfeeding classes and support groups.
• Keeps accurate records of all contacts made with WIC clients.
• Recognizes paraprofessional limitations and makes appropriate referrals to other breastfeeding, nutrition, nursing, or medical staff.
• Works closely with local WIC agency, Healthy Start, and local breastfeeding coalitions.
• Attends staff meetings, in-services, and workshops as appropriate and assigned.
• Assists the local WIC agency in promoting breastfeeding through special projects and duties as assigned.
• Completes required paperwork as designated by the local WIC agency.
• Calls supervisor if sick or absent from work. Follows the chain of command when supervisor is not available.
• Follows departmental and local WIC agency policies and procedures pertaining to breastfeeding, client confidentiality, data security, travel reimbursement and time reporting.
• Understands WIC eligibility criteria and programmatic requirements in order to answer basic questions about WIC and make appropriate referrals.
• Performs other related duties as required.

WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counseling grant funded peer counselors are not to:

• Dispense or instruct in the use of loaner or single-user electric breast pumps except under unusual, extraordinary circumstances.
• Be responsible for the cleaning of loaner electric breast pumps.
• Be responsible for the inventory of breastfeeding equipment/supplies.
• Give medical advice or dispense information on breastfeeding and medications. All such questions are to be referred to the health care provider and the WIC agency breastfeeding specialist.

• Has breastfed at least one baby with minimal or no supplementation for at least 6 months (does not have to be currently breastfeeding) and wants to help other mothers enjoy a positive breastfeeding experience
• Knowledge of principles, practices & procedures
• Knowledge of correct spelling, punctuation & grammar usage
• Knowledge of standard business formats & styles for letters & business forms
• Knowledge of and ability to promote breastfeeding benefits
• Skill in operating a personal computer
• Ability to operate general office equipment
• Ability to follow office procedures & practices
• Ability to organize & maintain filing systems
• Ability to handle telephone calls in a courteous & effective manner
• Ability to plan, organize & coordinate work assignments & communicate effectively verbally & in writing
• Ability to establish & maintain effective working relationship with others
• Ability to…