Breastfeeding Peer Counselor - Temporary

Job Description

A WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor is a paraprofessional support person who gives basic breastfeeding information and encouragement to WIC pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.

• 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
• Assist with 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
• Being present at the office is an essential function of the job
• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• A high school diploma or equivalent
• Ability to model good parenting skills, as well as breastfeeding skills
• Positive role models and positive representatives of WIC and the Breastfeeding Peer Counselor program
• Successfully breastfed at least one baby (six months of breastfeeding experience preferred)
• Good communication skills
• Access to a telephone and reliable transportation
• Enthusiastic about breastfeeding and a desire to help other mothers enjoy a positive experience

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
• OSDH WIC Service WIC Breastfeeding Symposium (recommended)

Application Requirements

• If education, certification or licensure is required to meet qualifications, applicants must provide documentation at the time of application
• All applicants are subject to a background check and must be legally authorized to work in the United States without visa sponsorship

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.

Current Active State of Oklahoma Employees

If you are a current active State of Oklahoma employee, you must apply for open positions internally through the Workday Jobs Hub.