Breastfeeding Peer Counselor - Pt - Decatur County

Starting Pay: $14.00/hour

Hours: approx. 10 hours per week

Must have at least 1 child that was breastfed for at least 6 months within the last 5 years

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:

1. Provide evidence based lactation information, counseling, and support to prenatal and postpartum WIC participants.
2. Present breastfeeding as the normal feeding method to all WIC contacts, while accepting and supporting whatever method of feeding the family chooses.
3. Contact the prenatal WIC client at least once before delivery.
4. Provide information prenatally on the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding, reasons to breastfeed, latch, getting started in the hospital, supply and demand, preventing problems, and growth spurts. Will discourage the use of bottles for unnecessary supplementation. Provide information consistent with the current WIC Program philosophies regardless of personal beliefs.
5. Contact all postpartum women electing to breastfeed to assist in positioning, to provide lactation information and support, and to encourage the continuation of successful breastfeeding. Will arrange follow up contacts with clients as long as it is agreeable with the WIC participant via text message, phone call, email, postcard or face-to-face counseling. Will meet with participants in the office to assist in lactation counseling.
6. Provide information to postpartum women on the expression and storage of breast milk, and use of breast pumps. Issue pumps as deemed appropriate by breastfeeding coordinator. Will clean and inventory loaner breast pumps in the local office. Contact WIC mothers who are borrowing a WIC issued pump on a monthly basis. Document pump related contacts in the WIC client chart and pump log.
7. Accept phone calls from WIC clients twenty four (24) hours a day, but will return calls at your earliest convenience within 24 hours. Will arrange coverage when unable to accept phone calls for more than 24 hours.
8. Maintain accurate records of all contacts and will document all contacts in the WIC client chart and breastfeeding spreadsheet.
9. Refer breastfeeding problems, such as possible medical problems and medication questions, directly to the WIC CPA or IBCLC, or to a physician if the concern is immediate
10. Attend conferences on breastfeeding to increase knowledge. Attend state and local breastfeeding meetings/trainings for Peer Counselors.
11. Plan and lead the monthly Breastfeeding Support Group.
12. Assist WIC staff in promoting breastfeeding as assigned.
13. Assist or facilitate breastfeeding class in assigned WIC office for prenatal mothers
14. Will work at least half of assigned hours in office or designated hospital, if applicable

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Must have at least 1 child that was breastfed for at least 6 months within the last 5 years.
2. Must see breastfeeding as the best way to feed an infant.
3. Must have good oral and written communications skills.
4. Must be available to participants outside of usual clinic hours and clinic environment.
EDUCATION/YEARS OF EXPERIENCE:
1. High School Diploma or equivalent required

New Hope Services (NHS) is proudly celebrating 65 years of service to Southern Indiana and our extended service area. NHS has built the capacity to provide a full continuum of human services from child and family support through ability services. Our unique expertise in developing affordable housing allows us to also partner with the communities we serve to have an even greater positive economic and community development impact.