Breastfeeding Peer Counselor (BFPC) (VDHPCX44)
About The Position
The Virginia Department of Health is hiring a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor for the Breastfeeding Program at the Roanoke City/Alleghany Health District. The counselor promotes breastfeeding among WIC participants, health care workers, and the community; works within the scope of practice defined in the WIC Breastfeeding Curriculum; and may attend local, regional, or state breastfeeding promotion and support training. The role participates in multidisciplinary case conferences to develop and implement WIC participant service plans and may represent the local agency and WIC on interdisciplinary workgroups, taskforces, or coalitions. This is a restricted wage position funded solely by WIC for a one-year period ending September 30, 2026. Funding is reviewed annually, and continued employment depends on continued funding. The position is limited to no more than 1,000 work hours per year. Wage employees do not have access to state benefits. The Virginia Department of Health protects and promotes the health of Virginians. The Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts employ approximately 140 staff and serve a combined population of more than 278,400 across rural and urban communities from nine office locations.
Requirements
- Demonstrated working knowledge of basic human lactation and breastfeeding practices.
- Demonstrated working knowledge of basic breastfeeding management, manual expression of breast milk, and collection and storage of human milk.
- Demonstrated effective communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to instruct in group and individual settings.
- Demonstrated ability to recognize breastfeeding-related problems and make appropriate referrals or interventions.
- Personal breastfeeding experience.
- Valid driver's license.
Nice To Haves
- Current or former WIC participant preferred.
Responsibilities
- Provide breastfeeding encouragement, information, and counseling to prenatal and breastfeeding participants.
- Provide anticipatory education about the normal course of breastfeeding.
- Conduct support group meetings and assist the nutritionist with individual and other group sessions.
- Contact participants at intervals specified by WIC policy to provide counseling, encouragement, and information to maintain lactation; be available outside usual clinic hours and the WIC clinic environment.
- Identify breastfeeding problems or potential problems that require referral to the nutritionist or WIC Designated Breastfeeding Expert.
- Recruit participants for nutrition education classes through clinic, telephone, and/or mail contacts.
- Maintain patient-contact logs, complete monthly activity reports and other required health department forms, and use the Crossroads system.
- May plan and participate in community outreach events for WIC participants, particularly during Breastfeeding Awareness Month.
- Plan local agency breastfeeding promotion events and create and maintain a breastfeeding-friendly environment.
- Participate in multidisciplinary case conferencing to develop and implement WIC participant service plans.
- May represent the local agency and WIC on interdisciplinary workgroups, taskforces, or coalitions.
- Attend local, regional, or state breastfeeding promotion and support training when possible.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.
Benefits
- No state benefits are available to wage employees. The posting also describes VDH benefits generally: 13 paid holidays; medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; retirement plans, including a 401a Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan; and sick, family/personal, and annual leave.
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Part-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
