Breastfeeding Peer Counselor - Temporary

State of Oklahoma•Lawton, OK

1d•$18•Onsite

About The Position

The WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor is a paraprofessional who provides basic breastfeeding information and encouragement to WIC pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. Peer Counselors can model positive parenting and breastfeeding skills. This temporary, part-time position is based at the Lawton location and requires the employee to be present in the office. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, with primary hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The position pays up to $17.81 per hour, based on education and experience. Under the supervision of the local Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Coordinator, the counselor supports WIC participants through routine breastfeeding experiences, scheduled counseling, follow-up, referrals, and access to approved educational materials and resources. The counselor documents participant contacts, maintains breast pump inventory after completing required training, and submits a monthly activity report. The role includes job-related travel and work in a typical climate-controlled office with moderate noise.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, record observations and activities, follow oral and written directions, and establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Familiarity with nutritional and breastfeeding data and instruction to meet WIC breastfeeding nutritional guidelines.
Completion of an approved basic Breastfeeding Educator Course within one year of employment, with refresher training at least every three years.
Complete OSDH WIC Service Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Orientation, breast pump training, and scheduled Breastfeeding Peer Counselor in-services.
Provide documentation of required education, certification, or licensure with the application, if applicable.
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without visa sponsorship and pass a background check.
Must be present in the office and willing to complete job-related travel.
Ability to talk, stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms; sit for long periods; and use computers and phones daily.

Nice To Haves

Attendance at the OSDH WIC Service Annual WIC Breastfeeding Conference is recommended.

Responsibilities

Support WIC mothers during a normal breastfeeding experience.
Counsel new WIC mothers at certification.
Promote breastfeeding to WIC participants.
Address specific concerns of WIC expectant and breastfeeding mothers and correct misinformation.
Share WIC-approved breastfeeding educational materials with participants.
Counsel WIC pregnant and breastfeeding mothers by telephone and in person at scheduled intervals.
Follow up with WIC participants according to protocol and recommended contact frequency.
Be available to WIC participants outside usual clinic hours and outside the WIC clinic environment.
Provide participants with the Oklahoma Breastfeeding Hotline phone number for additional support from International Board Certified Lactation Consultants, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Support and inform breastfeeding mothers who need help continuing breastfeeding while working or attending school.
Issue breast pumps and maintain breast pump inventory after completing formal breast pump training.
Document counseling information, including participant name, date, and time spent, in clinic records within 24 hours of contact.
Submit the Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Monthly Activity Report to the local coordinator by the fifth day of the following month.
Make immediate referrals according to the local agency’s established referral system for problems outside the normal breastfeeding experience, unresolved problems, non-breastfeeding problems, or issues beyond the counselor’s expertise.
Support the organization’s mission, values, standards, policies, procedures, confidentiality standards, and code of ethical behavior.
Work effectively in a team and participate in and assist peers.
Complete job-related travel and perform other duties as assigned.