Part-Time Breastfeeding Peer Counselor

Georgia Department of Public Health•Griffin (Spalding County), GA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Under general supervision, provides limited para-professional social services to clients and their families. Facilitates prenatal breastfeeding classes alongside CPA for WIC participants and provides individual breastfeeding education in the WIC clinic as needed. Provides on-going breastfeeding education and/or counseling to WIC pregnant and breastfeeding mothers by telephone and/or hospital visits at scheduled intervals as determined by the local WIC program. Gives basic breastfeeding information and support to new mothers, including education on the benefits of breastfeeding, overcoming common barriers to breastfeeding, and how to start breastfeeding successfully. Uses proper and consistent documentation for peer counselor contacts in peer counselor data base system. Attends and participates in monthly staff meetings and breastfeeding conferences/ workshops as appropriate. Completes other duties as assigned. This position works to promote and protect the health and safety of the residents of Henry and Butts Counties. All District 4 Public Health, County BOH employees are deemed essential employees in the event of an emergency. As such, you may be called on to participate in an event not limited to but including, staffing a shelter, a Specimen Point of Collection Site (SPOC) and/or Point of Distribution site (POD). When you are called on to participate, you are expected and it will be a part of your job requirement to participate, whether the emergency occurs during or outside regular work hours.

Requirements

Breastfeed one or more of your children for six months or longer
Be a current or former WIC participant
Provide a current or former WIC ID number
Bilingual – Spanish/English Language - $1 added to minimum hire in salary

Nice To Haves

Public Health experience
Computer experience (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, data entry, etc.)
Must demonstrate excellent customer service and oral communication skills, to effectively interact with all levels of departmental personnel and outside customers
Work requires ability to manage multiple duties simultaneously

Responsibilities

Receives a caseload of WIC mothers and makes routine periodic contact with all mothers
Gives basic breastfeeding information and support to new mothers, including telling them about the benefits of breastfeeding, overcoming common barriers, and getting a good start with breastfeeding
Helps mothers prevent and handle common breastfeeding concerns by developing a breastfeeding plan that will fit their situation
Counsels WIC pregnant and breastfeeding mothers in WIC Clinic or by telephone visits at scheduled intervals determined by the local WIC program
Assists the mother in setting goals within the context of her socioeconomic situation
Develops with the mother and her significant other a breastfeeding plan that will fit their situation, based on history and observation
Is available outside the usual 8 to 5 working schedules to new mothers who are having breastfeeding problems
Respects each mother by keeping her information strictly confidential abiding by HIPAA guidelines
Provides consistent and appropriate follow-up
Refers mothers, per clinic-established protocols, to: WIC Nutritionist or breastfeeding coordinator, Lactation Consultant, Mother's physician or nurse, Public health programs in the community
Attends monthly staff meetings and breastfeeding conferences/workshops as appropriate
Assists WIC staff in promoting breastfeeding through special projects and duties as assigned
Is enthusiastic about breastfeeding and has a strong desire to help other mothers enjoy a positive breastfeeding experience
Must utilize work-issued phone to make/receive phone calls or text
Must have reliable transportation
Must be able to assist moms with breastfeeding in assigned WIC Clinic
Basic computer skills needed