About Job

General Description:

Peer counselors (PCs) are those who have personal experience with breastfeeding and are trained to provide counseling and assistance to WIC participants with whom they share various characteristics, such as language, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status.

Supervision: The peer counselor is supervised by the Local Agency Breastfeeding Coordinator.

WIC Peer Counselor Job Duties

A WIC PC is a paraprofessional who gives basic breastfeeding information, encouragement, and support to WIC pregnant and breastfeeding participants. PC job duties include the following:

completes the required USDA WIC Breastfeeding Curriculum training to become a PC, and attends on-going training to keep breastfeeding knowledge and skills current
receives a caseload of WIC participants and makes routine periodic contacts with all participants assigned
counsels WIC pregnant and breastfeeding participants in the WIC clinic, by phone and or text at scheduled intervals determined by the local agency
is available outside the WIC clinic and the usual 9 to 5 working schedule to new parents who are having breastfeeding problems
respects each participant by keeping personal information strictly confidential
keeps accurate records of all contacts made with WIC participants
keeps accurate NYS WIC Peer Counselor Productivity records and submits to supervisor in a timely manner
refers participants to other WIC staff or community programs, according to local agency established protocols
attends and assists with prenatal classes and breastfeeding support groups
attends monthly staff meetings and breastfeeding conferences/workshops, as appropriate
reads assigned books and materials on breastfeeding that are provided by the supervisor
may assist WIC staff in promoting breastfeeding peer counseling through special projects and duties as assigned
uses Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program Policy Supplement WPM Section 1221: Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program Job of practice as guidance when working as a WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor.
Prepare a Breastfeeding project during Breastfeeding month in August yearly.

Qualifications:

Is enthusiastic and positive about breastfeeding and wants to help other mothers have a positive experience.
Has breastfeed at least one baby for a minimum of 6 months
Is a current or former WIC participant
Is available for working a minimum of 20 hours per week and follows the schedule assigned by their immediate supervisor. Schedule is subject to change based on the need of the program.
Has good communication skills. Can read and write English
Must be able to attend breastfeeding conference, trainings, and workshop outside of the local agency when required.
Bilingual -- English / Spanish / Yiddish - Preferred.

Training:

Attends a series of breastfeeding trainings and classes.
Reads assigned books or material about breastfeeding.
Observes other peer counselors or breastfeeding experts helping mothers breastfeed.

ODA WIC Program is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Job Type: Part-time

Salary: $20 per hour

Schedule: