Breastfeeding Peer Counselor-Part Time

Description:

The City of Joplin uses a Peer Counselor as a breastfeeding paraprofessional to give basic breastfeeding information, support and encouragement to pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, and serves as a role model for breastfeeding women. This is a part-time position that reports to the WIC Administrator.

General Duties and Responsibilities:

The following duties are normal for this title. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Attendance and dependability.

General Tasks and Responsibilities:

While following tasks are necessary for this position, they are not an essential part of the duties of this position and may also be performed by other employees.

• Counsels pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers by telephone, home visits, hospital visits, and in the WIC office at scheduled intervals determined by the local WIC provider.
• Provides information and support for women in managing common maternal and infant breastfeeding problems that occur.
• Contacts Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Coordinator or agency lactation expert when a situation occurs that is out of her scope of practice or anytime guidance is needed.
• May be available to new mothers who are having breastfeeding problems and need assistance outside the usual 8:00 am to 5:00 pm working hours via an after-hours phone line.
• Respects each participant by keeping her information strictly confidential.
• Keeps accurate records of all contacts made with WIC participants using MOWINS.
• When making contacts outside of the clinic will document on contact logs provided by the state and transfer to MOWINS system as soon as possible (no later than the end of the month).
• May teach prenatal and breastfeeding classes with approved lesson plan by BFPC Coordinator and/or organize mother support groups.
• May attend and assist with prenatal classes and breastfeeding support groups.
• May attend monthly staff meetings and breastfeeding conferences and/or workshops as appropriate.
• Submits Weekly and monthly Activity Reports to the Breastfeeding Coordinator and the State Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Coordinator.
• Reads assigned books and materials on breastfeeding that are provided by the supervisor.
• May assist WIC staff in promoting breastfeeding through special projects and other duties as assigned.
• Training Requirements must be completed as scheduled and include state approved training programs for peer counselors, additional educational opportunities, such as informal training sessions, observing other peer counselors or lactation consultants helping mothers.
• May attend conferences or workshops on breastfeeding as determined by the WIC Administrator.
• Must complete required breastfeeding trainings to become a peer counselor.

Other Tasks, Duties and Responsibilities:

• The duties and responsibilities listed in this job description shall not to be construed as an exclusive or all inclusive list of the duties associated with this position.
• The supervisor may on occasion assign other duties which are not specifically listed in this job description, provided the employee is qualified and certified/licensed to perform these additional functions.

General Physical Requirements:

Language Ability and Interpersonal Communication

• Ability to effectively communicate breastfeeding information to groups and individuals.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with medical professionals, W.I.C. and other health program participants, and the public.

Mathematical Ability

• Ability to accurately keep records and other medical charts and information in an electronic format.

Judgment and Situational Reasoning Ability

• Ability to follow established State and Federal guidelines for the WIC program.

Physical Requirements

• Requires high levels of sitting and standing.
• Must be mobile to such a degree that allows efficient and effective job related movement such as moving around a work area or building to perform essential job functions.
• Low levels of twisting and bending may be required.
• Must be sighted, hearing, and mobile to such a degree as not to compromise safety rules or the safety of self or others while working.
• Must have degree of manual dexterity sufficient to operate common office equipment such as computers, typewriters, copiers, FAX machines, and telephones.

Environmental Adaptability

• Skill in working with administrative computer systems both for the State and the City.
• Ability to work with participant of varied socioeconomic, cultural and language backgrounds.
• Ability to work the number of hours required to meet the City of Joplin’s plan for peer counseling.

General Qualifications:

• Graduation from high school diploma or GED and experience with personal breastfeeding.
• Effective communications skills.
• Enthusiastic about breastfeeding, and wants to help other mothers enjoy a positive experience.
• Comes from a similar background as the mothers being taught.
• Current or previous WIC participation preferred.
• Computer skills required.
• Must possess a valid Missouri operator's license.
• Must be able to successfully complete a thorough background check, and successfully complete a physical exam and drug test.

Qualifications

• Graduation from high school diploma or GED and experience with personal breastfeeding. * Effective communications skills. * Enthusiastic about breastfeeding, and wants to help other mothers enjoy a positive experience. * Comes from a similar background as the mothers being taught. * Current or previous WIC participation preferred. * Computer skills required. * Must possess a valid Missouri operator's license. * Must be able to successfully complete a thorough background check, and successfully complete a physical exam and drug test.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: From $15.04 per hour

Expected hours: 20 per week

Work Location: In person

Salary : $15