Breastfeeding Peer Counselor - Elbert

Georgia Department of Public Health•Elberton (Elbert County), GA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

A WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor is a part time, hourly paraprofessional staff person who is enthusiastic and positive about breastfeeding. The enthusiastic candidate needs to have a desire to help other mothers have a positive experience by providing basic breastfeeding information, encouragement, and support to pregnant and breastfeeding women participating in the WIC program. This position works directly under the direction and supervision of the WIC Assistant Nutrition Services Director. We are looking to hire a counselor for Elbert County. Must be a previous or current WIC participant. As a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor within the WIC Department at the Georgia Department of Public Health, you will join a dedicated group of public health professionals that help support the overall mission and vision of protecting lives of Georgia residents in a variety of ways.

Requirements

Has breastfed at least one baby for a minimum period of 6 months.
Is a current or former WIC participant.
Is available for working a minimum of 10 hours per week; must be available to work 8 hours in a designated Health Department each week.
Has reliable transportation.
Has good communication skills.
Is able to read and write English.
Has basic computer skills.

Responsibilities

Counsels and gives breastfeeding information and support to WIC pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, including benefits of breastfeeding, overcoming common barriers, and getting a good start with breastfeeding.
Help breastfeeding mothers prevent and handle common breastfeeding concerns within the correct scope of practice.
Completes peer counselor competency checklist, Northeast Health District required peer counselor training, and the state WIC office required Breastfeeding Training Curriculum prior to counseling participants alone.
Receives a caseload of WIC participants and makes routine contact with all participants per WIC Program policy and procedures.
Is available to WIC clients at clinic visits and by telephone during regular health department hours, weekends, holidays, and outside the standard 8am-5pm work schedule.
May make home visits and hospital visits per WIC client request.
Maintains accurate records of all contacts made with WIC participants by entering contact information in the GA-WIC and Peer Counselor Database systems per policy.
Respects each client by keeping all participant information confidential.
Refers WIC pregnant and breastfeeding mothers to community resources as needed.
Attends, assists and/or facilitates breastfeeding support groups and classes.
Attends monthly breastfeeding peer counselor meetings.
Assists WIC staff in promoting breastfeeding peer counseling through special projects, such as World Breastfeeding Week, and duties as assigned by the Lead Breastfeeding Peer Counselor and WIC Assistant Nutrition Services Director.
Issues breast pump and breastfeeding supplies as appropriate per WIC Program policies and procedures.