ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER:  13887-T

 JOB TITLE:               Breastfeeding Peer Counselor

DEPARTMENT:        Public Health & Environmental Services

                                    Disease Control & Clinical Prevention

HOURS:                     40 Hours Per Week

                                    Some Evenings & Saturdays As Needed

SALARY:                   Will Be Discussed During Departmental Interview

                                    Plus Mileage Reimbursement

                                    Based on 26 Pay Periods

EDUCATION:  High school diploma or G.E.D. equivalent is required.

EXPERIENCE:  Current or previous WIC participation experience is required.  Must have successfully breastfed at least one baby.

JOB SKILLS:  Must have reliable transportation to attend training/meetings, and periodic travel among WIC locations, community outreach and potential home visits.  Effective listening, counseling and communication skills are required.  Bilingual in English and Spanish is preferred. 

JOB DESCRIPTION:  Provides information and promotes breastfeeding to WIC participants and the community.  Evaluates client breast pump needs, and issues breast pumps according to policy.  Provides information to clients on best practices for breast milk collection and storage.  Conducts/assists group breastfeeding classes. Maintains telephone contacts to support breastfeeding participants.  Identifies clients needing additional assistance to optimize their breastfeeding success.  Works with the Site Supervisor, Breastfeeding Coordinator and/or Lactation Consultant in development and implementation of promotional ideas.  Completes the Local Agency Peer Counselor training provided by the Breastfeeding Promotion Coordinator and Lactation Specialist.  Attends/participates in regularly scheduled peer counselor meetings and shares information obtained with supervisor/clinic staff.  Assists with orientation/coaching of new staff on breastfeeding skills, including peer counselors training in the WIC clinic. Successfully passes peer counselor competency evaluations and completes all required training modules within six months of employment.  Completes required reports on breastfeeding promotion activities and submits data to site supervisor for review and/or action.  Documents peer counselor education codes on client’s participant form. Files the WIC Client Detail Records according to policies/procedures. Accurately documents pump issuance and/or retrieval according to policies/procedures. Evaluates/identifies breastfeeding issues that may require referral/continuous follow-up.  Refers WIC breastfeeding mothers to the Lactation Consultant and/or physician when problems when necessary.  Assists the Lactation Consultant with counseling of WIC clients by telephone or in person visits to hospital, clinic or home.  Performs other duties as assigned, including special tasks involved in responding to an emergency event.

POSITION IS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS.

HARRIS COUNTY HAS AN EMPLOYMENT AT WILL POLICY.

CLOSING DATE:    Open Until Filled

APPLY AT:              1310 PRAIRIE - SUITE 170

UPON RECEIVING A CONDITIONAL OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT, ALL APPLICANTS ARE SCREENED FOR THE PRESENCE OF ILLEGAL DRUGS.