Breastfeeding Peer Counselor (Counselor Assistant)-61113526

State of South Carolina • Berkeley County, SC

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

Under supervision of the Breastfeeding Coordinator, promotes breastfeeding to pregnant women in the community, workplace, and health care system and provides support to breastfeeding mothers enrolled in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program. Contact WIC breastfeeding moms in hospital, through home visits, and/or by telephone within 1-7 days and 8-14 days after delivery to provide breastfeeding support. Make a contact by telephone or face-to-face with the breastfeeding mom once a week for the next three (3) weeks after birth and at a minimum once a month thereafter as long as the mom is breastfeeding. Refer breastfeeding moms/infants with complex breastfeeding situations to the breastfeeding coordinator or Designated Breastfeeding Expert. Make prenatal contacts at 16, 20, 24, 27, 31, 35, 39, 40, and 41 weeks gestation. Use breastfeeding promotion scripts as a guide. Invites WIC mothers to breastfeeding classes and support groups. Teaches breastfeeding information. Provides basic WIC information, such as breast pump options or refers WIC questions to WIC nutritionist. Keep accurate records of all contacts made with WIC mothers. Maintain strict confidentiality of client information. Other duties as assigned by Supervisor(s) and/or Breastfeeding Coordinator related to the position.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Breastfed at least one baby.
• Is enthusiastic about breastfeeding.
• Recruited from the Target population.
• Must successfully complete the WIC Breastfeeding Curriculum Level 1 Training.
• Any equivalent combination of education and/or experience that demonstrates the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered in meeting the minimum qualifications, subject to approval by the SCDPH Chief Human Resources Officer, or their delegate.

Nice To Haves

• Personal breastfeeding experience.
• Enthusiastic about breastfeeding.
• Recruited from the target population within the community.
• Ability to work with mothers from diverse backgrounds.
• Reliable and motivated.
• Ability to work as part of a team supporting breastfeeding women.

Responsibilities

• Promotes breastfeeding to pregnant women in the community, workplace, and health care system.
• Provides support to breastfeeding mothers enrolled in the WIC Program.
• Contacts WIC breastfeeding moms in hospital, through home visits, and/or by telephone within 1-7 days and 8-14 days after delivery to provide breastfeeding support.
• Makes a contact by telephone or face-to-face with the breastfeeding mom once a week for the next three (3) weeks after birth and at a minimum once a month thereafter as long as the mom is breastfeeding.
• Refers breastfeeding moms/infants with complex breastfeeding situations to the breastfeeding coordinator or Designated Breastfeeding Expert.
• Makes prenatal contacts at 16, 20, 24, 27, 31, 35, 39, 40, and 41 weeks gestation.
• Uses breastfeeding promotion scripts as a guide.
• Invites WIC mothers to breastfeeding classes and support groups.
• Teaches breastfeeding information.
• Provides basic WIC information, such as breast pump options or refers WIC questions to WIC nutritionist.
• Keeps accurate records of all contacts made with WIC mothers.
• Maintains strict confidentiality of client information.
• Performs other duties as assigned by Supervisor(s) and/or Breastfeeding Coordinator related to the position.

Benefits

• 15 days Annual (Vacation) Leave per year
• 15 days Sick Leave per year
• 13 Paid Holidays
• Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouse, and children.
• S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available
• Retirement benefit choices: State Retirement Plan (SCRS) or State Optional Retirement Program (State ORP)

What This Job Offers

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