WIC - Breastfeeding Peer Counselor I

Community Clinic Inc.•Takoma Park, MD

7d•$37,440 - $38,440•Onsite

About The Position

The WIC - Breastfeeding Peer Counselor I provides breastfeeding information and support to pregnant and breastfeeding WIC participants, following the Loving Support Through Peer Counseling model. The counselor assists participants with common breastfeeding concerns, conducts counseling by phone or in the clinic at scheduled intervals, helps facilitate classes, issues breast pumps according to agency protocols, and refers participants to appropriate clinical and community resources. The role also promotes a breastfeeding-friendly clinic and maintains confidential, accurate records of participant contacts and breastfeeding aids issued. The position includes informing participants about WIC processes, benefits, foods, vendors, eWIC use, and community resources. It also involves computer record maintenance, data entry, appointment scheduling and transfers, benefits issuance, and maintaining office equipment. The counselor attends required breastfeeding and staff trainings and meetings, may assist participants in hospitals, and may travel for training or to cover other staff during work hours. On-site work is an essential duty.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
At least one year of relevant work experience, preferably in a medical setting, or an equivalent combination of training and experience to perform office routines and clerical support functions.
Some customer service experience.
Must have breastfed for at least six months.
Must have previous experience with WIC as a staff member or participant.
Fluency in English and Spanish.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including greeting and directing patients and visitors in person or by phone.
Ability to maintain high customer service and follow corporation protocol in hectic and sometimes hostile situations.
Ability to read and write to update participant information and forms, accurately communicate phone messages, and respond to visitors and callers.
Ability to stand, bend, or work at a computer desk for prolonged periods and lift up to 15 pounds.

Responsibilities

Attend breastfeeding training, monthly breastfeeding meetings, and clinic staff meetings; observe other peer counselors or breastfeeding experts; and read assigned breastfeeding materials.
Provide breastfeeding information and support to pregnant and breastfeeding participants, including benefits, common barriers, and establishing breastfeeding.
Help participants prevent and address common breastfeeding concerns.
Counsel WIC pregnant and breastfeeding mothers by telephone or in the clinic at designated scheduled intervals using the Loving Support Through Peer Counseling model.
Assist with planning and facilitating breastfeeding classes and provide classes to other programs when needed.
Serve as the clinic advocate for breastfeeding, as observed by the Manager.
Issue breast pumps under agency protocols to mothers separated from their babies or experiencing breastfeeding problems, and refer more complex cases appropriately.
Document breast pumps and other breastfeeding aids upon issuance.
Refer participants, according to clinic protocols, to the WIC nutritionist, Breastfeeding Services manager or Lactation Consultant, the mother's physician, and community programs.
Maintain accurate daily records of participant contacts using the WOW system and keep participant information confidential.
Promote a breastfeeding-friendly clinic by maintaining breastfeeding imagery on bulletin boards and making materials available.
Offer information and materials about community resources and provide complete and correct information about WIC certification, rights and responsibilities, benefits, foods, vendors, and eWIC card use.
Perform timely computer record maintenance and updates, daily data entry, eWIC benefits issuance, appointment scheduling and transfers, and proper maintenance of computers, printers, and other office equipment.
Assist participants in hospitals when asked and travel for training or to fill in for other staff during work hours.
Work on-site.