WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor

Salary: $14.81 - $17.89 Hourly
Location : Battle Creek, MI
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2024-00006
Department: Health
Opening Date: 02/06/2024
Closing Date: Continuous
Bargaining Unit: NON-UNION
Job Summary
Under the general direction of the WIC Supervisor, the WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor, a paraprofessional support person, provides basic breastfeeding information and encouragement to Calhoun County pregnant and breastfeeding parents. The CCPHD WIC breastfeeding coordinator assists in peer counseling program oversight with guidance from the WIC Supervisor.
Calhoun County is committed to developing and maintaining a diverse workplace that provides an inclusive environment with equitable treatment for all employees and the public it serves.
Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Receive a caseload of pregnant and postpartum clients and make routine periodic contacts with all clients assigned throughout their breastfeeding experience both in person and by phone.
• Provide breastfeeding information, education, support, and encouragement to pregnant and breastfeeding women.
• Provide one-on-one counseling and group education sessions and support groups.
• Assist in marketing and outreach activities for the WIC and Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program by working collaboratively with community partners and providing referrals to community service providers.
• Assist with breast pump distribution, inventory control and maintaining appropriate records and reports.
• Provide anticipatory guidance to reduce the occurrence of problems.
• Teach cleaning, use, and assembly of breast pumps and expression and storage of human milk.
• Identify the need for referrals to the breastfeeding coordinator, IBCLC, breastfeeding specialist or other community partners.
• Keep accurate documentation of contacts with clients.
• Respect each client by keeping their information strictly confidential.
• Attend staff meetings, Breastfeeding Coalition meetings and breastfeeding conference/workshops as appropriate.
• Participate in the development and implementation of new and creative breastfeeding initiatives.
• Utilize Client-Centered Services (CCS) principles when communicating with clients.

General Duties and Responsibilities

• Attend on-going breastfeeding training.
• Follow appropriate procedures for documenting client contacts and completing activity reports.
• Adhere to local agency and county policies and procedures as applicable.
• Assess own needs for professional growth and participates in education that increases knowledge and skills in area of responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Breastfed at least one baby for a minimum of six months.
• Enthusiastic about breastfeeding and wants to help other mothers.
• Familiar with WIC; current or previous WIC client is preferred.
• Good communication and organizational skills.
• Fluent in the language of the majority of clients they counsel.
• Member of the community for whom they service.
• Available outside of standard business hours.
• Fluency in Spanish, Burmese, or other language spoken by one or more ethnic groups in the client population desired.

Working Conditions

• Clinic/Office environment.
• Travel may be required.
• May have contact with infectious disease and exposure to bloodborne pathogens.
• On-call availability to respond to emergencies (e.g., program-related and public health emergencies).
• Extended work days (beyond 8 hours/day) and weekends or holidays may be required.
• May encounter threatening people and other dangerous situations.

Calhoun County's benefits package offers flexibility, choice, and value. It is an attractive component of our employees total compensation package. At Calhoun County, we know that good benefit plans are important to employees and their families. We're committed to providing employees with access to a wide range of information and tools so they can stay informed and make the most of their Calhoun County flexible benefit package.
What benefits does Calhoun County offer its full time employees?
Medical: Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan with 3 Different Flexible Benefit Plan Options ()
Dental: 100% Employer Paid through Delta Dental ()
Vision: 100% Employer Paid through BCBSM Vision Services Plan (VSP) ()
Employee Health & Wellness Center (Premise Health): Most Services 100% Employer Paid (More information)
Life Insurance: 100% Employer Paid for Basic Life & AD&D
Short Term Disability: 100% Employer Paid for 67% Wage Loss Benefits up to 26 Weeks
Retirement: Employer 401(k) Match Program Up to 7% of Employee Contribution (More information)
Employee Assistance Program (EAP): 100% Employer Paid Through Bronson HelpNet ()
Flexible Scheduling & Telecommuting Options Depending on Position & Department
Paid Time Off:

• Start through fourth years - 144 Hours (3.6 weeks based on 40-hour work week)
• Fifth through ninth years - 184 Hours (4.6 weeks)
• Tenth through fourteenth years - 224 Hours (5.6 weeks)
• Fifteen and Subsequent years - 264 Hours (6.6 weeks)

(amounts & distribution may vary slightly by union contract, policy, and/or defined work week)
Paid Holidays: 14 Paid Holidays Throughout the Year
Additional Voluntary Benefits:

• Term Life Insurance (above Employer Paid Plan)
• Critical Illness & Accident Insurance
• Long Term Disability Wage Loss Benefits
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
• Employee Wellness Program
• Perks Program (discounts at local merchants for being a County employee)