Processing Assistant III - WIC / Breastfeeding Peer Counselor

About the role

The Processing Assistant III / Breastfeeding Peer Counselor processes participants in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program and provides breastfeeding information and support.

Responsibilities

• Complete certification/participation application including eligibility requirements, physical presence, proof of identity, proof of residence, the National Voter Registration Act, and the certification schedule.
• Answer inquiries, provide informational materials as needed, document and maintain record keeping components.
• Review, add and/or update family demographics, family household size and income and patient contact information.
• Determine need for height/weight measurements and blood work. If needed, collect participant’s height and weight measurements and order labs.
• Scan necessary documents into the Crossroads system.
• Determine participant’s next appointment type and schedule accordingly.
• Maintain daily appointment schedule for the WIC office.
• Issue food benefits according to food package prescribed by nutritionist and explain how food benefits are redeemed and provide the brochure of WIC approved foods that can be purchased.
• Issue eWIC cards to participants.
• Receive and direct in-coming telephone calls, fax, and correspondence.
• Maintain filing system for all WIC administrative records, according to federal guidelines.
• Print appropriate letters for clients who are or will be ineligible for WIC services.
• Issue transfer out (VOC) forms and receive transfer in (VOC) forms of participants within the Crossroads system.
• Mail Notification letters according to policy.
• Promote and encourage breastfeeding as the ideal method of infant feeding to all WIC participants.
• Provide consultation, clinical support, and emotional encouragement to prenatal and breastfeeding women.
• Share evidence-based breastfeeding information through informal conversations in WIC and Maternity Clinics.
• Hospital visits to CarolinaEast Medical Center to follow up and make required contact with newly delivered women enrolled in the program.
• Discuss breastfeeding with participants and their families to promote understanding and support.
• Offer appropriate counseling regarding breastfeeding issues and concerns.
• Provide anticipatory guidance based on assessment of each client’s needs.
• Refer participants to the Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program Manager, and when necessary, to the nurse, nutritionist, or lactation consultant for additional support.
• Report caseload activities and notable concerns to the Program Manager.
• Aid mothers in developing and implementing plans to continue breastfeeding during minor illnesses, return to work or school, temporary separations, minor milk-supply variations, and moderate engorgement or plugged ducts.
• Document all prenatal and breastfeeding contacts—phone and in-clinic—on the appropriate peer counselor contact sheets.
• Maintain records of all breastfeeding education activities according to policies in the Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Guide and local agency manuals.
• Attend all Breast Feeding Peer Counselor (BFPC) quarterly trainings in order to remain current on breastfeeding evidence-based information and retain position as a breastfeeding peer counselor.
• Attend any breastfeeding meetings required by BFPC Program Manager or Nutrition Director.
• Be familiar with all breastfeeding resource materials sent to the Craven County Health Department WIC office by the State Breastfeeding Coordinator or any other CNSS staff member.
• Use these breastfeeding resource materials to keep current on all breastfeeding evidence-based information and use that information when counseling a client.

Qualifications

• Graduation from high school and demonstrated possession of knowledge, skills, and abilities gained through at least one year of office assistant/secretarial experience; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Must have breastfed an infant and satisfactorily complete the state approved Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Core (BFPC) Curriculum training course prior to providing BFPC services to any client here at the Craven County Health Department.

Benefits

Craven County offers regular full-time employees a wide variety of employee benefits including:

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Life Insurance and AD&D
• Disability Insurance
• North Carolina Local Governmental Employees' Retirement System
• NC401k
• Annual Leave
• Sick Leave
• Paid Holidays
• Longevity
• Merit Program
• Supplemental Benefits