WIC BREASTFEEDING PEER COUNSELOR

AccessHealth•Katy, TX

3d•$15 - $16•Hybrid

About The Position

As a breastfeeding peer counselor in the WIC Program, offer pregnant and lactating women information, encouragement and support needed for a successful breastfeeding experience. This role is for changemakers looking to make an impact in the community and be healthcare heroes. AccessHealth is a private, not-for-profit community health center established in 1975, dedicated to excellence in providing integrated health care services to improve the quality of life in the communities we serve.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED
Candidate is from the target population and can be trained to be a paraprofessional.
Has successfully breastfed or expressed breast milk for at least one baby.
Has the ability to work outside of regular clinic hours and outside of the WIC clinic.
Has the ability to communicate with peers.
Has the ability to organize thoughts and present accurate information.
Has the ability to document and keep accurate records.
Demonstrates enthusiasm about breastfeeding and has a desire to share that enthusiasm.
Can give a one-year commitment to the breastfeeding peer counselor program.
Can work a minimum of 40 hours a week.
Required to be in possession of company cell phone at work/home for texting and after hour calls to participants.
Has access to transportation.
Will be a good parenting model.
Will reflect a positive image for the WIC Program.
Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding information processed.
Communication skills with ability to talk with and write to a wide variety of individuals to secure hard to get, but necessary information.
High ethical standards.
Well-organized and self-directed.
Good keyboarding skills and legible handwriting.
Team player.
Ability to relate to people at all levels in the organization.
Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints.
Ability to handle multiple projects.
Ability to operate computer, copier and fax.
Ability to travel between WIC locations if required.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual English/Spanish strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide breastfeeding information and promote breastfeeding to pregnant women.
Address infant feeding concerns of pregnant mothers.
Correct misinformation which may prevent a pregnant woman from considering breastfeeding.
Teach classes on the advantages of breastfeeding.
Prepare breastfeeding motivational and/or informational bulletin boards in the WIC clinic.
Counsel and support lactating mothers and manage breastfeeding problems as they occur.
Identify breastfeeding experiences that are not normal and make an immediate, appropriate referral to the Lactation Consultant.
Contact pregnant and postpartum women by phone to encourage and support breastfeeding.
Keep accurate records of counseling sessions.
Provide support and information to lactating mothers who are returning to work/school in an effort to encourage them to continue breastfeeding.
Issue breast pumps and record breast pump issuance as directed by WIC policy.
Adhere to proper procedure for pump retrieval, use phone, texting, email and letter by mail.
Teach lactating mothers how to clean and assemble breast pumps and train them in the techniques of expression and storage of human milk.
Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein as may be assigned or delegated.
Conduct weekly breast pump inventory.
Maintain confidentiality of client records.
Comply with all company policies, procedures and regulatory requirements.
Perform all other duties as assigned by management.