BREAST FEEDING PEER COUNSELOR-WIC

About the Department

The WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor is a paraprofessional support person who gives basic breastfeeding information and encouragement to WIC pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. Also performs work directed toward patient outreach, advocacy, education, and follow-up.  Work is performed under general supervision and is evaluated through observation, conferences, and the quality and effectiveness of work completed.

Position Duties

• Interviews prospective client/family to obtain necessary information in conjunction with nursing staff and WIC staff.
• Provide consultation, education and emotional support to a caseload of prenatal and breastfeeding women and their families.
• Assist women and babies in learning techniques of breastfeeding, including positioning and anticipatory guidance to reduce the occurrence of health problems. 
• Discusses appropriateness of using breastfeeding aids (electric and manual breast pumps, etc.).
• Assists in identifying needs, provides information and assists in obtaining ancillary services in conjunction with nursing staff.
• Assists nursing staff with providing follow-up on delinquent patients or those in need of additional services by phone, letter or home visit.
• Assists with identifying possible barriers to care.

• Attends staff meetings, attends continuing education workshops and in-services.  
• Establishing relationships and maintaining regular contact with prenatal and breastfeeding women enrolled in the breastfeeding peer counselor program by means of phone calls, clinic appointments, home visits, hospital visits, group discussions, or other methods as determined by the agency service delivery model;
• Provides support and information to women enrolled in the breastfeeding peer counselor program who are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed to help prevent, correct and/or manage common breastfeeding problems and to increase the incidence of breastfeeding exclusivity and extended breastfeeding 
• Represents the program by means of phone calls, clinic appointments, home visits, hospital visits, group discussions, or other methods as determined by the agency service delivery model;
• Issues breastfeeding supplies to enrolled BFPC participants in conjunction with the delivery of BFPC services (breastfeeding peer counselors must be trained in the assembly, use, and cleaning of breastfeeding supplies and issue only in consultation with the designated lactation professional).  
• Assists in the conducting of monthly breastfeeding class/support group.
• Completes and maintains documentation within the Crossroads Breastfeeding Care Plan, to include:  Daily logs of all client contacts; All breastfeeding education activities; Referrals made as determined by need or request; Monthly contact logs to be done manually and turned into the Breastfeeding Program Manager or Coordinator; Assist in the management and upkeep of the breastfeeding pumps and supplies.  
• Maintains all record keeping for Applicants and Participants of the WIC Program within the Crossroads Electronic System.  Upon request, some files maybe required by WIC Policy will be kept within the office.  These records will be maintained as determined by need and will be kept locked when not in use.  
• Performs related duties as assigned.  Duties may also include Preparedness activities/directives as assigned by Supervisor or Director of Nursing.

Minimum Qualifications

• Thorough knowledge of the relevant departmental organization and functions. 
• Thorough knowledge of relevant state and county laws, rules, regulations, procedures, and policies related to work performed. 
• Considerable knowledge and ability to use correct grammar, vocabulary, and spelling used to compose a variety of written materials.
• Working knowledge of applicable supportive mechanical acts and/or sanitation and personal hygiene; basic knowledge of the social, economic, and environmental conditions of patients to be served.
• Ability to answer questions independently and resolve problems. 
• Ability to plan, prioritize, and organize work flow and to coordinate activities. 
• Ability to research, interpret, and analyze data. 
• Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing. 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, officials, attorneys, and fellow employees.

Other Qualifications

Graduation from high school or GED and one year of experience preferably in a health care or human services setting.

Special Requirements

• Valid North Carolina driver’s license

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Disclaimer
This classification specification has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to perform the job.   Bladen County reserves the right to assign or otherwise modify the duties assigned to this classification.
October 2024
BLADEN COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER