Peer Counselor- Norristown

Duties & Responsibilities

• Counsels WIC pregnant and breastfeeding mothers at the WIC clinic or by telephone contact at scheduled intervals.
• Provide and document breastfeeding contacts according to policy.
• Promote breastfeeding with pregnant women and gives basic breastfeeding information and support to new mothers, including benefits of breastfeeding, overcoming common barriers, and getting a good start with breastfeeding.
• Help mothers prevent and handle common breastfeeding concerns.
• Refer moms to the statewide breastfeeding hotline who are having breastfeeding problems outside usual working hours.
• Refer mothers, according to the clinic established protocols to the WIC Nutritionists or Breastfeeding Coordinator, lactation consultants, the mother’s physician or nurse, public heath programs in the community or social service agencies.
• Attends and assists with prenatal classes and breastfeeding support groups.
• Network with local hospitals, physician offices and other community organizations which support breastfeeding to establish a county wide breastfeeding referral resource.
• Provide and document appropriate and required referrals to clients.
• Schedule WIC appointments per set guidelines.
• Attend regular training sessions and updates as directed.
• Reads assigned books and materials on breastfeeding provided by the supervisor.
• Demonstrate use of breast pump to clients.
• Help maintain inventory of breast pumps at assigned clinic and clean and sanitize the equipment.
• Promote and contribute to organizational and programmatic goals of MFHS.

Qualifications/Requirements/Experience

• A High School Diploma or G.E.D. required.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.
• Must be a current or former WIC participant who has breastfed at least one baby.
• Ability to perform operations with units involved in measuring and weighing.
• Basic math skills such as adding, subtraction, division and reducing fractions.
• Knowledge of customer service and client-centered service delivery.
• Relate to others on a regular basis requiring excellent interpersonal relationship skills.
• Ability to work as an integral part of a team.