Breastfeeding Peer Counselor

DuPage County Health Department•Lombard, IL

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

The DuPage County Health Department is looking for someone to join our team as a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor in an on-call role, working up to 19 hours per week. As a Peer Counselor, you will be providing basic breastfeeding information and encouragement to breastfeeding mothers enrolled in the Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) Program at our Lombard location and in community settings.

Requirements

Must have breastfed in the past 5 years
Be a woman of the community, with similar characteristics of WIC participants and/or a WIC participant
Upon hire the Breastfeeding Peer Counselor must complete the Department’s competency-based training over a period up to six months
required to attend paid New Hire Orientation
required to attend Peer Counselor training
complete the USDA Breastfeeding Curriculum training
complete department trainings for the role and responsibilities
They also must complete referrals to the Designated Breastfeeding Expert (DBE) for complex breastfeeding problems.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual, Spanish speaking preferred.

Responsibilities

Advises pregnant and breastfeeding mothers during WIC clinics.
Is responsible for a caseload of clients and makes routine contact by telephone, texting, home visits, and/or hospital visits.
Talks with clients individually or in groups about feeding decisions and answers routine breastfeeding questions; provides guidance on topics including initiation of breastfeeding, prevention of and relief of common problems, maintaining milk supply and weaning.
Provides information on the effect of foods, medications, and home remedies on lactation within clinical guidelines.
Keeps accurate records of client contacts; identifies breastfeeding situations which require assistance and makes appropriate referrals.
Attends and assists with prenatal classes/breastfeeding support groups; assists with providing breast pumps.
May assist staff in promoting peer counseling through special projects as assigned.
Participates in monthly staff meetings, in-services, or other agency meetings/events; participates in quarterly State Breastfeeding Peer Counselor calls.
Maintains required training, licensure, and/or certification.
Participates in emergency response activities as required; maintains confidentiality of privileged information and adheres to patient privacy laws.
Demonstrates sensitivity and understanding of other ethnic groups and cultures; adheres to department guidelines for attendance and punctuality.
Comprehends, processes, and applies both verbal and written skills appropriate to the job responsibilities.
Develops and maintains positive, respectful, and professional relationships with internal and external customers.
Supports, adapts, or delivers services in a manner which ensures understanding and inclusion of diverse client populations.