Breastfeeding Peer Counselor (BFPC) (VDHPCX44)

DHRM•Roanoke, VA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Consider joining the Virginia Department of Health as we foster healthy and resilient communities. This is your opportunity to serve the public in the Breastfeeding Program at the Roanoke City/Alleghany Health District. This is a restricted position, which is solely funded by WIC for a year period ending 9/30/2026. The availability of funding is scheduled for review annually depending on federal funding. Continued employment is contingent on the continued availability of funds. This is a wage position limited to working no more than 1000 hours per year due to funding. Wage employees do not have access to state benefits. Breastfeeding Peer Counselors promote breastfeeding among WIC participants, health care workers and the community. They attend local, regional, or state breastfeeding promotion and support training when possible. They 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.

Requirements

Demonstrated working knowledge of basic human lactation and breastfeeding practices is required.
Demonstrated working knowledge of basic breastfeeding management, manual expression of breast milk and collection and storage of human milk is required.
Demonstrated skill in effective communication is required.
Demonstrated ability to instruct in a group and individual setting
Demonstrated ability to recognize problems related to breastfeeding and make appropriate referrals/interventions is required.
Personal breastfeeding experience is required.
Valid driver's license is required.

Nice To Haves

Current or former WIC participants are preferred.

Responsibilities

Provides breastfeeding encouragement, information, and counsel to prenatal and breastfeeding participants.
Provides anticipatory education about the normal course of breastfeeding.
Conducts support group meeting and assists the nutritionist with individual and other group sessions.
Contacts participants at predetermined intervals per WIC policy to provide counsel, encouragement, and information to maintain lactation. Is available to participants outside of usual clinic hours and the WIC clinic environment. Identifies problems or potential problems necessitating referral to the nutritionist, or WIC Designated Breastfeeding Expert (DBE).
Recruits participants to attend nutrition education classes by making clinic, telephone, and/or mail contacts.
Maintains logs of patient contacts, completes monthly activity reports and other health department forms as required. Utilizes the Crossroads system.
May plan and participate in community outreach events for WIC participants, particularly during Breastfeeding Awareness Month. Plans local agency breastfeeding promotion events. Creates and maintain a breastfeeding-friendly environment.
Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor.