Breastfeeding PC

Community Action Partnership of Cambria County • Cambria Township, PA

150d • Hybrid

About The Position

A WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor is a paraprofessional support person who gives basic breastfeeding information and encouragement to pregnant and breastfeeding participants. They complete breastfeeding training modules, receive a caseload of WIC mothers, and make routine periodic contacts. The role involves providing basic breastfeeding information and support, helping mothers prevent and handle common breastfeeding concerns, and counseling mothers at the WIC clinic, by phone, or during hospital visits. The peer counselor keeps accurate records of all contacts and refers mothers to appropriate resources such as WIC nutritionists, lactation consultants, physicians, public health programs, and social service agencies. They may also assist WIC staff in promoting breastfeeding peer counseling, attend standard and ongoing training, and participate in peer counselor meetings and in-services. Additional responsibilities include overnight travel, driving WIC vehicles, attending and assisting with prenatal classes and breastfeeding support groups, attending staff meetings and conferences/workshops, and reading assigned materials on breastfeeding. The role also involves being a mandated child abuse/neglect reporter and following program procedures related to confidentiality.

Requirements

• Demonstrated basic oral and written communication skills and an ability to utilize counseling techniques.
• Basic computer skills for data input.
• Is enthusiastic about breastfeeding and wants to help other mothers enjoy a positive experience.
• Is willing to be available to mothers outside WIC clinic hours and make/receive phone calls/text messages from home.
• Can work the number of hours specified by the local WIC agency.
• Has reliable transportation.
• Comfortable with leading small groups such as support group setting.
• Must have a high school diploma or GED.
• Has breastfed at least one baby.
• PA Driver’s License.
• Must obtain Child Abuse, PA State Police, FBI Fingerprinting and NSOR Clearances prior to starting employment.

Responsibilities

• Completes breastfeeding training modules to become a peer counselor.
• Receives a caseload of WIC mothers and makes routine periodic contacts with all mothers assigned.
• Gives basic breastfeeding information and support to new mothers and helps mothers prevent and handle common breastfeeding concerns.
• Counsels mothers at the WIC clinic, by phone, or during hospital visits at scheduled intervals as determined by the local agency.
• Keeps accurate records of all contacts made with WIC mothers.
• Refers mothers, according to clinic established protocols, to: WIC nutritionist or breastfeeding coordinator, Lactation consultant, Mother’s physician or nurse, Public health programs in the community, Social service agencies.
• May assist WIC staff in promoting breastfeeding peer counseling through special projects and duties as assigned.
• Attends standard peer counseling training and on-going training as directed.
• Attends peer counselor meetings and in-services as directed.
• Performs overnight travel as required.
• Safely drives all WIC vehicles.
• Attends and assists with prenatal classes and breastfeeding support groups as needed.
• Attends monthly staff meetings and breastfeeding conferences/workshops as appropriate.
• Reads assigned books and materials on breastfeeding that are provided by the supervisor.
• Mandated child abuse/neglect reporter.
• Follows the program procedures relating to confidentiality.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED