BreastFeeding Peer Counselor

Virginia Information Technologies Agency • Hampton, VA

2d • $15 - $18 • Onsite

About The Position

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is dedicated to protecting and promoting the health of Virginians. The VDH is made up of a statewide Central Office in Richmond and 32 local health districts. These entities work together to promote healthy lifestyle choices that can combat chronic disease, educate the public about emergency preparedness and threats to their health, and track disease outbreaks in Virginia. As part of the Virginia Department of Health, the Hampton, and Peninsula Health Districts (HPHD) are two health districts serving the residents of Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, Williamsburg, and the Counties of James City, and Yorktown. The Hampton and Peninsula Health Districts are focused on four key pillars to create a sustainable and engaged workforce: Workforce Development and Training, Culture and Climate, Community Engagement and Partnerships, and Communication and Openness. Through these pillars, we aim to achieve our mission of becoming the healthiest districts in the state and better serve our communities. Apply and join the Virginia Department of Health's efforts to become the healthiest state in the nation. Have you enjoyed your own breastfeeding experience and want to help other moms succeed in theirs? Do you love encouraging others, building connections, and supporting families from diverse cultures and backgrounds? At the Hampton Wilsondale Clinic, we believe WIC is more than a food assistance program; it’s nutrition education, breastfeeding support, encouragement, connection, and compassionate care for women, infants, and children up to age five.

Requirements

• Basic human lactation
• Breastfeeding practices
• Various positioning techniques
• Basic breastfeeding management
• Manual expression of breast milk
• Collection and storage of human milk
• Good communication skills
• Instruct in a group and individual setting
• Recognize problems related to breastfeeding and make appropriate referrals/interventions

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of basic nutrition principles for breastfeeding women and infants
• Experience with basic interviewing and counseling skills and/or teaching group classes.
• Previous or current participation in the WIC Program
• Ability to work with people from all areas of socioeconomic and literacy levels
• Bilingual in English/Spanish

Responsibilities

• Provide breastfeeding encouragement and peer support to WIC families
• Support moms through phone calls, texts, video chats, and online breastfeeding classes
• Build trusting relationships with participants from diverse cultures and backgrounds
• Help mothers navigate common breastfeeding questions and concerns within BFPC scope of practice
• Refer participants to appropriate staff or healthcare providers when concerns are outside the BFPC scope of practice
• Document participant interactions using electronic health records and tracking systems
• Work closely with the WIC team to support healthy moms and babies
• Promote breastfeeding among WIC participants, health care workers and the community.
• Attend local, regional, or state breastfeeding promotion and support training when possible.
• Operate within the BFPC scope of practice as defined in the WIC Breastfeeding Curriculum.
• Participates in multidisciplinary team case conferencing to develop and implement WIC participant service plans.
• May represent Local Agency and WIC on interdisciplinary workgroups, taskforces, or coalitions.

Benefits

• Make a real impact supporting local families every day
• Join a supportive team committed to maternal and child health
• Build skills in public health, nutrition services, breastfeeding support, and clinic operations
• Contribute to a respectful, welcoming environment where families feel supported and empowered

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed