WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor

Position Summary

Incumbent provides breastfeeding education and support for pregnant and breastfeeding women participating in the WIC Program along with providing laboratory measurements to nutritionists.

Reportability

This position will report directly to the WIC Director

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

• Promotes the advantages of breastfeeding to all prenatal participants unless contraindicated for health reasons.
• Counsels pregnant women on the importance of breastfeeding.
• Educates pregnant women throughout pregnancy to prepare them for a successful breastfeeding experience.
• Provides support to breastfeeding women to help them choose, initiate, and continue breastfeeding through clinic visits, and regular telephone contacts or text messages.
• Responds to inquiries for breastfeeding support as referred by WIC clinic site supervisor, WIC Nutritionist and Nutrition Assistants.
• Assists the WIC staff in breastfeeding promotion through special projects and other duties as assigned.
• Facilitates breastfeeding classes and support groups.
• Develops breastfeeding training for WIC staff.
• Documents all contacts made with WIC participants in the DC WIC HANDS system and completes the excel WIC breastfeeding Peer Counselor Log.
• Refers mothers to the WIC nutritionist, lactation specialist, or private physician for breastfeeding concerns beyond the scope of the peer counselor's expertise.
• Manages teletask texting system to contact pregnant and breastfeeding mothers to send invitations to classes/special events and provide reminders.

Qualifications

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities -

• High school diploma or GED.
• Demonstrated excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Must possess excellent people/customer service skills.
• Must be able to multitask and have good time management skills.
• Experience working in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment.
• A thorough understanding and working knowledge of patient confidentiality issues a HIPPA compliance/regulations will be essential.
• Strong computer skills and demonstrate ability to accurately record and document data.
• Certification of the completion of an approved Breastfeeding Peer Counselor training program within the first month of employment.
• Breastfed an infant for at least four (4) months.

Language Requirement - Must have the ability to communicate effectively in English and Spanish as used by participants.

Physical Demands - Regularly required to sit; frequently required to reach with hands and arms, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, talk or hear; must be able to lift objects up to twenty-five (25) pounds.

Work Environment - Mostly in a typical office or clinic setting with quiet to moderate noise level. May be exposed to extreme cold, heat, and humidity due to outside weather conditions. May be exposed to potentially hazardous blood-borne pathogens which require the practice of Universal Precaution procedures.

The Benefits:

• Health Insurance: medical, dental & vision - plus retirement options through 403(b) contribution and investment opportunities
• 25 days of paid leave annually (in addition to paid holidays), plus 5 educational days
• Tuition reimbursement of $2000/year towards education assistance and professional development
• Transportation subsidy via metro & bus
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)