WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor - Part-Time

Position Summary

The WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor role assists mothers who wish to breastfeed and succeed with their breastfeeding goals, providing personalized support and encouragement.

Expectations

Every Adelante Healthcare employee strives to maximize their performance and contribution to Adelante Healthcare and the community we serve every day. Employees are expected to work in a manner that demonstrates a commitment to quality, patient safety, employee engagement, innovation, and the highest standards of personal integrity, professionalism, and competence.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED from an accredited institution
• Experience with breastfeeding
• Success in breastfeeding at least one baby for at least 6 months (does not have to be currently breastfeeding)
• Certification to perform cardiopulmonary Resuscitation for the Health Care Professional (CPR) and AED through courses that follow the guidelines from the American Heart Association and Red Cross (cognitive and skills evaluations)
• Valid Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card issued by the Arizona Department of Public Safety for all specialty behavioral health locations
• Reliable transportation
• Valid Arizona Driver’s License
• Bilingual in both English and Spanish (strongly preferred)

Position Responsibilities

• Attend and successfully complete breastfeeding training classes to become a Peer Counselor
• Receive an assigned caseload of WIC mothers and make routine and periodic contacts with all mothers assigned
• Give basic, accurate, and up to date breastfeeding support and education to new mothers, including telling them about the benefits of breastfeeding, overcoming common barriers, and getting a good start with breastfeeding
• Counsel WIC pregnant and breastfeeding mothers by telephone, the WIC clinic, and/or hospital visits at scheduled intervals determined by the Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Supervisor
• Show respect to each mother by keeping her information strictly confidential
• Keep accurate records of all contacts made with WIC mothers
• Attend and assists with prenatal classes and breastfeeding support groups
• Attend monthly staff meetings and breastfeeding conferences/workshops as appropriate
• Read assigned books and materials on breastfeeding that are provided by the Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Supervisor and displays an understanding of the concepts presented in those materials
• May assist WIC staff in promoting breastfeeding peer counseling through special projects and duties as assigned
• Must be able to embrace differences among people and able to interact with internal staff as well as external contacts in a culturally competent and respectful manner
• Promote positive patient/guest relations in accordance with Adelante Healthcare and ADHS WIC policies, providing a high level of quality in personal attention and service to patients and visitors
• Float/Travel to multiple locations as needed or requested
• Must be able to work a set schedule

Nonessential Skills and Experience

Additional Duties and Responsibilities include other duties as requested or assigned, such as promoting a Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH), adhering to compliance and code of conduct, and managing stress as it relates to essential job functions.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds without assistance and may occasionally be required to lift or move up to 50 pounds with assistance. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee may be subject to health hazards (contagious diseases, blood borne pathogens, etc.) when working in the clinic area. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The employee may be exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time when traveling to various clinic sites.