WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor - Noblesville
About The Position
Indiana Health Centers, Inc. (IHC) is a mission-driven organization providing high-quality, affordable healthcare to underserved and uninsured populations since 1977. At IHC, a Federally Qualified Health Center, we specialize in integrated care which means having access to essential services to meet the needs of patients we serve in the community. With ten healthcare centers, eight Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) nutrition program locations, a Mobile Health Unit, and in-house Pharmacy services (select locations), we offer primary medical, dental, and behavioral healthcare services to community-based patient populations throughout Indiana that are diverse in age, educational background, and income level. WIC is a nationally recognized nutrition program that effectively improves access to nutritious foods and promotes healthier lifestyles. The Indiana WIC Program provides services to an average of 145,000 women, infants, and children monthly through a network of 140 WIC clinics in Indiana. Indiana WIC also supports $105 million in food sales at over 600 WIC-authorized grocery stores and pharmacies throughout Indiana. We encourage you to apply if you're passionate about serving your community and possess excellent communication and organizational skills. The IHC Hamilton County WIC team in Noblesville is recruiting for a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor to join their team. This full-time position is scheduled 36 hours per week. The WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor works with the WIC Site Supervisor, community groups, hospitals and WIC clients to increase the number of WIC clients who breastfeed their infants and to minimize barriers to breastfeeding, where possible. They promote breastfeeding as the preferred method of infant feeding by both educating and supporting WIC participants, their families, and the public at large.
Requirements
- Effectively communicate ideas with a diverse population with a wide range of educational and socioeconomic levels, both one-on-one and in group settings.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Establishes and maintains effective and cordial working relationships with WIC staff and clients.
- Resolves conflicts, thinks creatively, and negotiates solutions.
- Demonstrates knowledge of anatomy and physiology of breastfeeding problems, techniques of breastfeeding promotion.
- Demonstrates knowledge of cultural and ethnic food and nutrition practices.
- Maintains participant confidentiality.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and WIC software.
- Proficiency in breast pump operation.
- High school diploma or equivalent required
Nice To Haves
- Personal breastfeeding experience or previous participation as a WIC client is preferred
Responsibilities
- Educates WIC participants and clinic staff on the benefits of breastfeeding and issues, including latching on, initiation of breastfeeding at the hospital, supply and demand, most current data on breastfeeding, and preventing problems.
- Teaches breastfeeding/infant feeding classes at WIC clinics as directed. Conducts and leads breastfeeding support groups.
- Contacts participants in prenatal programs and assists health professionals in counseling participants.
- Makes contact with new mothers via phone or personal visit to the hospital or home to prevent or resolve problems. Provides information and support that will encourage the continuance of successful breastfeeding.
- Educates breastfeeding mothers on the expression and storage of human milk.
- Refers clients who meet guidelines for breast pumps and/or breastfeeding aids to the WIC Breastfeeding Coordinator.
- Refers problems and difficult breastfeeding cases to WIC Breastfeeding Coordinator, including all cases where medical intervention is needed.
- Performs outreach activities to the medical community on WIC and breastfeeding.
- Maintains accurate and up-to-date documentation of contacts with WIC participants.
- Submits documentation to supervisor according to set deadlines.
- Attends BFPC ISDH Meetings.
- Maintains inventory of breast pumps and related documentation.
Benefits
- Generous Paid Time Off and Floating Holidays
- Day 1 Insurance benefits eligibility
- 403(b) Retirement Plan matching at one year of employment
- Employer-paid Group Life, Short-term disability, and Long-term disability coverages and HSA employer contributions
- Flexible Leave of Absence programs
- Personify Health Wellness program with paid incentives for participation
- Employee Assistance Programs with 24/7 access to therapy consultation services
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
