TOI

WIC Peer Counselor

Tioga Opportunities, Inc.

place Owego, 13827

person_outline

Counseling, Other Behavioral, Mental, or Healthcare Field, Peer Specialist

local_atm $16an hour

Tioga Opportunities, Inc. is a cornerstone of the community that offers opportunities for growth and development for customers and employees. We are a strength-based, inclusive agency, committed to improving the lives of those we serve.

The WIC Peer Counselor promotes breastfeeding as the preferred infant feeding method and provides basic breastfeeding information and encouragement to WIC participants who are pregnant or breastfeeding

This is a Part-Time, 10 hour per week position. The schedule is 5 hours per day, two days per week.

The WIC Peer Counselor position pay is $16.00/hour.

Generous benefits include:

403b retirement savings
Sick and vacation leave

The WIC Nutritionist job responsibilities include:

Provides basic breastfeeding information and support to pregnant and breastfeeding mothers
Contacts pregnant and breastfeeding mothers via multiple avenues of communication and/or visits with mothers at the WIC clinic, home or hospital, occasionally outside normal WIC clinic hours
Uses WIC-provided cell phone to communicate with breastfeeding women outside scheduled work hours
Refer participants to the Designated Breastfeeding Expert (DBE), QN/CPA, or other community breastfeeding resources for situations outside the peer counselor’s scope of practice
Encourages mothers to work openly and honestly with their health care providers
Encourages mothers to have confidence in what they are doing and asks permission to observe breastfeeding and prior to touching mother and/or baby
Follows up with clients who have received pumps to monitor their progress with phone calls and/or with written correspondence
Keeps accurate records, maintains paper and electronic charts, and prepares reports as needed
Provides and documents appropriate follow-up referrals to other health and social service agencies for participants
Completes the Peer Counselor training facilitated by Breastfeeding Coordinator and attends training and development conferences and workshops out-of-town as necessary
Responsible for the safety of NYWIC equipment and program issued cell phone

Minimum Education and Experience:

Graduation from High School OR possession of a High School Equivalency Diploma; AND
Recruited and hired from WIC’s target population, and, to the extent possible, represent the same racial/ethnic background as the participants the position supports; AND
Have breastfed at least one baby; AND
Is trained based on the USDA FNS WIC Breastfeeding Curriculum, within a 90-day Introductory Period

Other facts:

Provides support for special program outreach such as classes, support groups, community events, or projects which may occur outside normal working hours
The employee must attend mandatory trainings.
Working hours will correspond to the needs of the participants and the purpose of the program.
The principle of confidentiality applies to all information about program participants and their families.
The employee must assume responsibility for meeting the transportation needs as required by the nature of this position and have a driver’s license that is acceptable to the Agency’s standards.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Interpersonal skills to relate well with individuals of all socio-economic levels
Good verbal and written communication skills
Ability to follow written and verbal instructions
Ability to be calm, flexible, organized, and able to work in a busy office and/or environment
Ability to work both independently and cooperatively with co-workers and other agencies in an effort to meet the goals and objectives of the program
Ability to interpret and apply program regulations
Well-developed organizational skills, ability to establish priorities, and to maintain accurate records
Must have computer skills to perform efficiently, i.e. MS Office

Working Conditions

Constantly: Activity/condition exists from 2/3 or more of the time

Sits at desk to complete paperwork; to input, examine, and retrieve data on computer.
Talks and listens in person and on telephone to receive and give information, to work with co-workers and clients.

Frequently: Activity/condition exists from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time

Stands to file and make photocopies.
Walks within offices area to deliver reports and other documents.

Occasionally: Activity/condition exists up to 1/3 of the time

Lifts and carries supplies weighing up to 30 pounds.
Reaches and bends to access file drawers, pick up materials or supplies.
Climbs stairs at WIC sites.
Travels and/or drives agency van to WIC sites with equipment and supplies.

Tioga Opportunities, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in hiring on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.