Location: Payne County Health Department, 1321 W. 7th, Stillwater OK 74074

Salary: Up to $17.81 Hourly based on education and experience.

Full Time /Part Time: Part Time – up to 20 hours per week

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday

Primary Hours: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Position Summary

The WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor is responsible for providing paraprofessional support person who gives basic breastfeeding information and encouragement to WIC pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.

Qualifications

Position Responsibilities/Essential Functions:

Responsibilities

Breastfeeding Peer Counselors are a special group of women who can model good parenting skills, as well as breastfeeding skills. Their responsibilities will include being positive role models and positive representatives of WIC and the Breastfeeding Peer Counselor program. When recruiting Breastfeeding Peer Counselors, local agencies shall choose mothers who meet all of the following criteria:

• Are receiving or have received WIC services
• Have successfully breastfed at least one baby (do not currently have to be breastfeeding, however at least six months of breastfeeding experience is preferred)
• Possesses good communication skills
• Have access to a telephone and reliable transportation
• Are enthusiastic about breastfeeding and have a desire to help other mothers enjoy a positive experience
  
  

General Duties

Duties not listed must be approved through the state Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Specialist and the local Administrative Director. Under the supervision of the local Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Coordinator, Breastfeeding Peer Counselors will perform any or all of the following duties:

• Support WIC mothers during a normal breastfeeding experience
• Counsel new WIC mothers at certification
• Promote breastfeeding to WIC participants
• Address specific concerns of WIC expectant/breastfeeding mothers and correct misinformation
• Share WIC-approved breastfeeding educational materials with participants
• Counsel WIC pregnant and breastfeeding mothers over the telephone and in person (one-on-one) at scheduled intervals
• Follow up on WIC participants according to protocol (Refer to the Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Training Manual for recommended contact frequency.)
• Be available to WIC participants outside usual clinic hours and outside the WIC clinic environment
• Provide 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
• Provide support and information to WIC breastfeeding mothers who may need help and/or advice to continue breastfeeding while working or going to school
• Issue breast pumps and maintain breast pump inventory (Must complete formal breast pump training prior to issuing breast pumps)
• Document appropriate counseling information, such as participant name, date, and time spent with participants in clinic records within 24 hours of contact
• Complete and turn in Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Monthly Activity Report to the local Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Coordinator by the fifth day of the following month
• Keep participant files in a secure environment; that is, in a locked drawer, etc.
• Attend scheduled Breastfeeding Peer Counselor meetings and in-services.
• Abide by clinic policy concerning participant confidentiality and dress code.
• Provide appropriate referrals when needed
• Breastfeeding Peer Counselors may also be allowed to bring their nursing baby/babies to work per the discretion of the local Administrative Director.
• Being present in the office is an essential function of this job
• Other duties as assigned
  
  

Other Duties

• Demonstrates knowledge of and supports mission, vision, value statements, standards, policies and procedures, operating instructions, confidentiality standards, and the code of ethical behavior.
• Works effectively in team environment, participating and assisting their peers.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:

High school diploma or equivalent.

Breastfeeding Peer Counselors Will Receive The Following Training

• OSDH WIC Service Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Orientation
• An approved basic Breastfeeding Educator Course (completion required within one year of employment and refresher completed at least every three years)
• Breast pump training
• Scheduled Breastfeeding Peer Counselor in-services
  
  

Application Requirements

• Other duties as assigned
• Other duties as assigned
  
  

Recommended Training

It is recommended that Breastfeeding Peer Counselors attend the OSDH WIC Service Annual WIC Breastfeeding Conference.

Referrals

Breastfeeding Peer Counselors will make immediate referrals according to the individual local agency’s established referral system when they encounter:

• Breastfeeding problems outside the normal breastfeeding experience.
• Breastfeeding problems that are not resolved within 24 hours of the Breastfeeding Peer Counselor’s intervention.
• Problems in an area other than breastfeeding.
• Issues beyond their scope of expertise.
  
  

Physical Demands And Work Environment

Work is typically performed in an office setting with climate-controlled settings and exposure to moderate noise levels. While performing the duties of the job, employees are required to talk, stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms; carry light items; drive an automobile. This position requires long periods of sitting and daily use of computers and phones. Applicants must be willing to perform all job-related travel associated with this position. Occasionally, in state overnight and weekend travel may be required. Being present at the office is an essential function of the job