WIC Peer Counselor (Instructional Assistant)

State of Idaho•Rexburg, ID

40d•Remote

About The Position

Eastern Idaho Public Health is seeking a Part-Time (7-12 hours a week) WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) Peer Counselor to support mothers in Rexburg and the surrounding areas. This is a remote position with monthly in-office meetings in Idaho Falls. This is a non-beneficial position, with an average workweek of 7-12 hours, depending on participant needs and meetings. CLASS PURPOSE: A WIC (Women Infant Children) Breastfeeding Peer Counselor is a paraprofessional support person who gives basic breastfeeding information and encouragement to WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) mothers during their pregnancy and after the baby is born. They encourage mothers to breastfeed and refer, as needed, in accordance with agency guidelines.

Requirements

Previous experience with breastfeeding, having breastfed at least one baby.
Has reliable transportation and must be able to travel to participants' home, a hospital, or an EIPH office.
Good knowledge of rules of effective business English usage, spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
Some knowledge of interviewing or collecting pertinent information from individuals/clients.
Ability to answer a business telephone using knowledge of business telephone procedures and etiquette.
Enthusiastic and positive about breastfeeding and want to help other mothers have a positive experience.
Must have basic computer skills.
Has reliable transportation and must be able to travel to participants' home, a hospital, or an EIPH office.
Can work at least 10 hours per week, including outside normal working hours and days. When scheduled to work, respond to participants and EIPH staff within 24 hours.
Report and work from EIPH office assigned.
Be willing to be immunized or have proof of previous immunizations
Organized with good documentation and record-keeping skills

Nice To Haves

Lactation Consultant certification highly preferred.
Has participated in, is participating in or would be eligible for the WIC program.
Bilingual (Spanish)

Responsibilities

Maintain a caseload of WIC mothers and makes routine periodic contacts with all mothers assigned per program policy or guidelines.
When unavailable or unable to work, communicate with supervisor for staff to coverage.
Give basic breastfeeding information and support to pregnant and new mothers, including the benefits of breastfeeding, overcoming common barriers, and practices to get a good start with breastfeeding. Help mothers prevent and handle common breastfeeding concerns within their scope of practice.
Counsel WIC pregnant and breastfeeding mothers by telephone (call or text), virtually, home visits, hospital and/or EIPH office visits scheduled intervals determined by EIPH guidelines.
Provide mothers with breast feeding equipment or training within scope.
Be available outside the usual 8 to 5 working schedules to be available to mothers who are having breastfeeding problems or concerns.
Keep all participant information strictly confidential, following HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability) and EIPH confidentiality policies.
Maintains accurate records of all contacts made with WIC participants by completing weekly activity worksheets, participant tracking tool and entering contact information in the WIC system within 24 hours of contact with participant.
Use bilingual or multilingual language skills to serve participants and the public as needed.
Refers mothers, according to clinic-established protocols, to: WIC Nutritionist or breastfeeding coordinator, Lactation Consultant, Mother's Medical Provider, public health programs, or Social Service agencies.
Complete training as assigned.
Complete promotional activities as assigned.
Teach (or send) Breastfeeding classes as assigned.
Leadwork and specific program responsibilities as assigned.