WIC Breast Feeding Peer Counselor

Comprehensive Community Action•Cranston, RI

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

WE ARE HIRING…. CCAP Mission Statement - To empower all people and communities, challenged by poverty as well as social and cultural barriers, through advocacy, education, and access to high quality health and human services. JOB SUMMARY The Peer Counselor is designed to have specially trained WIC breastfeeding mothers, who either currently or previously have been on the WIC program, help other WIC women initiate and succeed in breastfeeding. The ability to help and influence other WIC mother that is unique and different from other health professionals. The responsibilities will include being positive role models and positive representatives of WIC and the WIC Peer Counselor Program.

Requirements

Have been on the WIC Program
Breastfed at least one child for at least 6 months
An interest in promoting breastfeeding and in working for the WIC Program
Extensive verbal and written communication with patients so they understand information provided.
Spanish speaking, highly preferred

Responsibilities

Initiate contact with referred prenatal women within 2 weeks of receiving referral. Contacts can be made either by phone, mail or in person.
Assess woman’s knowledge of breastfeeding and interest in choosing breastfeeding as infant feeding method.
Address concerns or barriers to breastfeeding and provide information on benefits of breastfeeding. Peer Counselors are to help women make an informed choice about their infant feeding choice without being critical or making women feel defensive or inadequate.
A minimum of 2 contacts should be made with all referred prenatal participants who intend to breastfeed. These contacts can be made wither by phone one on one counseling or in a group class
Contact breastfeeding participants as soon after delivery as possible to assess how breastfeeding is going in the early post-partum period as well as provide encouragement and support.
Referrals by WIC staff fro a participant with a breastfeeding problem should be followed up within 48 hours of receiving referral. Routine referrals of prenatal participants should be followed up within 2 weeks.
Complete documentation requirements after each counseling/education contact with participants. Documentation should be in participant’s chart within 2 weeks from date of contact.
Identify common breastfeeding problems and provide problem solving information and help.
Make referrals to other health care professionals for complicated or unresolved breastfeeding problems.
Maintain contact with breastfeeding women for the duration of their breastfeeding experience.
Document inability to contact participant if unsuccessful after 3 weeks for routine contacts or 3 days for “problem” referrals.
Inform the WIC staff person who made the referral as to the status of the client. All documentation should be in the chart within 2 weeks.
Attend meetings and trainings as requested by State WIC Breastfeeding Coordinator or local agency WIC Coordinator/
Ensures compliance with State / Federal, JCAHO standards OSHA and Infection control standards
Other duties assigned as needed.