Counselor, Breastfeeding Peer

Southeastern Michigan Health Association•Clinton Township, MI

13h

About The Position

Under the supervision of the WIC Program Manager and the direction of the WIC Breastfeeding Coordinator, this paraprofessional support person provides basic breastfeeding education and encouragement to WIC families at various Macomb County locations to help them meet their breastfeeding goals. The role serves pregnant and breastfeeding women enrolled in WIC through telephone, virtual, and in-person contacts from a WIC clinic or approved alternate work site. The counselor maintains a caseload, provides routine contacts and early postpartum follow-up, refers complex issues to an appropriate breastfeeding professional or health care provider, and supports breastfeeding classes and groups. The position also provides instruction on breast pumps and human milk expression and storage, participates in the WIC breast pump program, records client contact and education in MI-WIC, and participates in staff meetings and required training. The role requires availability outside normal business hours and involves bending, stooping, reaching, and carrying equipment and supplies weighing up to 25 pounds.

Requirements

Possess a valid Michigan driver’s license and reliable transportation.
Be physically able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Possess a high school diploma or equivalent.
Have breastfed at least one infant for at least six months.
Possess basic knowledge of the WIC program and the characteristics of the population it serves.
Have basic computer skills, including use of MS Office Suite and Google Office Suite, saving and accessing documents, chat, and email.
Have effective organizational skills.
Have effective written and oral communication skills.
Be able to maintain strict confidentiality and conduct oneself with tact and courtesy.

Responsibilities

Counsel and educate pregnant and breastfeeding women enrolled in the WIC Program by telephone, virtually, or in person from a WIC clinic or approved alternate work site.
Maintain a caseload of clients requesting breastfeeding information and assistance and make routine periodic contacts.
Provide close contact and follow-up to clients during the early postpartum period.
Refer complex breastfeeding issues beyond the peer counselor’s knowledge or skills to the WIC Breastfeeding Coordinator, another breastfeeding professional, or a health care provider.
Assist with teaching breastfeeding classes or support groups for WIC clients.
Teach the use, cleaning, and assembly of breast pumps and the expression and storage of human milk.
Participate in the WIC breast pump loan and issuance program.
Enter client contact data and education in the MI-WIC system; schedule appointments and issue benefits when appropriate.
Participate in WIC staff meetings and communicate information to WIC staff as needed.
Participate in required breastfeeding training, workshops, and conferences and thereafter as appropriate.
Be available outside normal business hours.
Bend, stoop, and reach to retrieve documents, educational materials, and breastfeeding supplies.
Lift, move, and carry equipment and supplies weighing up to 25 pounds.