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Form of workDepartment: Women, Infants & Children Program (WIC)
Position: Breastfeeding Peer Counselor
Employee Category: Part-Time, Non-Exempt
Reporting Relationship: Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Coordinator, WIC Clinic Manager
Character Core Qualities:
- Availability – Willingness to change your schedule and priorities to meet a need.
- Compassion – Helping those in need.
- Enthusiasm – Expressing interest and excitement in what you do.
Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:
A WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor is a paraprofessional support person who provides basic breastfeeding information and encouragement to WIC pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
- Supports WIC mothers during a normal breastfeeding experience.
- Counsels new WIC mothers at certification.
- Promotes breastfeeding to WIC participants.
- Addresses specific concerns of WIC expectant/breastfeeding mothers and corrects misinformation.
- Shares WIC-approved breastfeeding educational materials with participants.
- Counsels WIC pregnant and breastfeeding mothers over the telephone and in person (one-on-one) at scheduled intervals.
- Follows up on WIC participants according to protocol.
- Is available to WIC clients outside usual clinic hours and outside the WIC clinic environment.
- Provides participants the phone number to the Oklahoma Breastfeeding Hotline for additional breastfeeding support from International Board Certified Lactation Consultants 24 hours per day/7 days a week.
- Assists Certified WIC Nutrition Technician with Issuing breast pumps and maintains breast pump inventory.
- Documents appropriate counseling information.
- Completes and turns in the Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Program Monthly Activity Report to the Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Coordinator in a punctual manner.
- Keeps participant files in a secure environment.
- Participates in clinic staff meetings as part of the WIC team.
- Attends scheduled Breastfeeding Peer Counselor meetings and in-services.
- Provides appropriate referrals when needed.
- Supports Variety Care’s accreditation as a Patient Centered Medical Home and our commitment to provide care to all Variety Care patients that is Safe, Effective, Patient Centered, Timely, Efficient, and Equitable. Provides leadership and works with all staff to achieve the goals of the “Triple Aim” of healthcare reform—to improve the experience of care, improve health outcomes, and decrease healthcare costs.
- Embodies the strength of personal character. Places value on being an open and honest communicator who displays high moral and ethical conduct, integrity, adaptability, and sound judgment. Must be a leader in the department and community. Result-oriented problem solver who is responsible and accountable.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Requirements, Special Skills or Knowledge:
- Possesses a high school diploma or GED.
- Must be receiving or have received WIC services.
- Has successfully breastfed at least one baby.
- Possesses good communication skills.
- Ability to travel to various sites upon request as needed.
- Ability to make telephone calls from home to clients.
- Available to work three days minimum in clinic, about 20 hours per week.
- Is enthusiastic about breastfeeding and has a desire to help other mothers enjoy a positive breastfeeding experience.
Preferred requirements, Special Skills or Knowledge:
- Bilingual (English /Spanish).
ADA Requirements:
- Must be able to lift 25 pounds.
