Breastfeeding Peer Counselor

DHRM•Danville, VA

About The Position

The Virginia Department of Health’s Pittsylvania-Danville Health District is seeking a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor to promote breastfeeding among WIC participants, health care workers, and the community. The counselor provides breastfeeding information and assistance to WIC clients, works within the scope of practice defined in the WIC Breastfeeding Curriculum, and participates in multidisciplinary case conferencing to develop and implement participant service plans. The role may also represent the local agency and WIC on interdisciplinary workgroups, taskforces, or coalitions. Supervision may be provided by the district Breastfeeding Coordinator or WIC Designated Breastfeeding Expert (DBE). Breastfeeding Peer Counseling training through the current USDA FNS Training Platform is provided. This is a wage position funded solely by the Federal WIC Grant for a year period ending September 30. Continued employment depends on funding availability and business need. Wage employees are paid only for hours worked, are subject to a maximum average of 29 hours per week over a year, and may not exceed 1,500 hours during the May 1–April 30 standard measurement period. Wage employees are not eligible for benefits provided to salaried employees.

Requirements

Working knowledge of basic human lactation, breastfeeding practices, positioning techniques, basic breastfeeding management, manual expression of breast milk, and collection and storage of human milk.
Good communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to instruct in group and individual settings.
Ability to recognize breastfeeding-related problems and make appropriate referrals or interventions.
Personal breastfeeding experience.
A valid state driver's license is required to operate a state vehicle or a personal vehicle while conducting agency business.

Nice To Haves

Current or former WIC participant.
Breastfeeding Peer Counseling training through the most current USDA FNS Training Platform.

Responsibilities

Provide breastfeeding encouragement, information, and counsel 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 counsel, 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.
Plan and participate in community outreach events for WIC participants, particularly during Breastfeeding Awareness Month; plan local agency breastfeeding promotion events.
Create and maintain a breastfeeding-friendly environment.
Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.