Breastfeeding Peer Counselor - Temporary

Qualifications

Breastfeeding Peer Counselors are a special group of women who are able to 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)
• Possess 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

Skills

Mandatory Training:

• OSDH WIC Service New Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Training
• 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

Recommended Training:

• The OSDH WIC Service WIC Breastfeeding Symposium

Benefits

Referrals:

• 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.

General Duties

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
• Aid in the issuance of breast pumps and breast pump inventory (Must complete formal breast pump training prior to assisting with breast pump issuance)
• 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

Physical Demands and Work Environment

Work is typically performed in an office setting with a climate controlled settings and exposure to moderate noise level. While performing the duties of the job, employee is required to talk, stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. This position requires long period of sitting and daily use of computer and phone. Limited travel to trainings and meetings is required.

Equal Opportunity Employment

The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.