WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor

The West Oakland Health Council is seeking one part time empathetic, culturally competent WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor at its East and West Oakland WIC agencies. We offer a secure, collaborative clinic environment where patient care and outcomes are the #1 priority. These positions are part time 24 hrs. / week, benefitted, with no nights or weekends. We offer a competitive, negotiable package, based on experience.

Job Details

Level Entry-level

Job Location Remote or On-site at West and/or East Oakland Health Center - Oakland, CA

Position Type Part Time

Education Level High School Diploma or GED

Salary: $20.30 hourly + benefits (this is a Non-Union Job)

Job Shift 8 am 4:30 pm

**All employees are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 as a condition of employment, subject to limited exemptions. New Employees are required to provide proof of being fully vaccinated for COVID-19 before the first day of employment. Exemptions to this requirement will be considered for those requesting an exemption on medical, disability, or religious grounds.

Description

SUMMARY: Under the supervision of the Director of WIC, the WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor provides basic breastfeeding information, encouragement and support to WIC participants and performs within the peer counselor scope of practice. The employee works independently in completing assigned tasks and must be able to work as a team member to assure the continuous flow of client services.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES:

To be conducted in accordance with the Policies and Procedures of West Oakland Health Council and California Department of Public Health (CDPH) WIC:

• To successfully complete Local Agency Peer Counselor Training and is able to meet training objectives within 6 months from start of employment.
• To successfully complete Participant-Centered Education training within 12 months of employment.
• To successfully complete 20 hours of CDPH/WIC-approved Breastfeeding training within 12 months of employment, and then 7 hours of breastfeeding continuing education every year thereafter.
• Provides education and promotes breastfeeding to WIC participants and the community.
• Provides emotional support to participants through personal interaction.
• Provides the participants with advice on aspects of normal breastfeeding.
• Provides anticipatory guidance to reduce the occurrence of breastfeeding complications.
• Assists in teaching breastfeeding classes.
• Provides information on additional sources of help to the breastfeeding mothers.
• Participates in peer support groups.
• Makes telephone contacts with breastfeeding participants to support breastfeeding and identify clients needing additional assistance to optimize their breastfeeding success.
• Is able to demonstrate the following:
  • Various positioning techniques for mother and baby
  • Increasing or decreasing the breast milk supply, including proportion of hindmilk/foremilk
  • Manual expression of breast milk; and
  • Safe and effective collection and storage of breast milk.
• Keeps accurate record of contacts with mothers
• Refers participants to RD, IBCLC, or other professional staff as appropriate.
• Attends Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Monthly Meetings
• Attends local, regional, or state breastfeeding promotion and support training.

• Attends work regularly and punctually; is readily accessible during work hours to peers; limits absences from own duty stations and limits visits and activities which distract others from their performance of duties
• Works cooperatively with immediate supervisor, with department members, and with other council staff persons, as required.
• Treats all staff/patients/clients/visitors with respect and courtesy.
• Remains competent in skills required for position.
• During the initial thirty (30) days of employment, becomes and remains knowledgeable about and in compliance with the Councils and Department policies and procedures in the following areas:
  • Patients rights and responsibilities.
  • Professional and business ethics.
  • Continuous quality improvement.
  • Safety and security of person and property.
  • Infection control.
  • Hazardous materials and waste.
  • Life safety and emergency preparedness.
• Maintains a working knowledge about and in continued compliance with all of those areas listed under item (4) throughout your employment with the Council.
• Attends general staff meetings and participates in quality improvement projects.
• Performs all duties and services in full compliance with WOHCs service excellence standards.
• Performs other related duties as may be assigned by the Director of Operations, and/or another designee.

ORGANIZATIONAL VALUES:

Service Orientation: Demonstrates a commitment to serving internal and external customers and or patients. Consistently seeks ways to improve service delivery and communicates ideas to management as needed.

Communication: Communicates clearly, accurately, and concisely in verbal and written forms. Effectively adjusts communication to specific situations and diverse audiences to ensure information is understood. Work effectively with multi-cultural and economically diverse patients.

Teamwork: Provides meaningful contributions and actively participates in team activities. Works as part of the care team to provide evidence-based care, health coaching, self-management tools and proactively addressing the needs of patients and their families.

Quality: Actively participates in identify areas for improvement and establish methods for quality improvement.

Compliance: Stays in compliance with organizations policies by being current in state mandated certification requirements and completing assigned policies and trainings in a timely manner.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Standing and Walking Time Required: 10% - 15%
• Time Speaking and Listening: 60% - 70%
• Environmental and Health Hazards: Frequent exposure to communicable diseases and other conditions common to a clinic environment.

The physical demands 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. While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee frequently will use hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse and telephone keyboard, and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally bend, lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus.

POSITION DESCRIPTION REVISIONS

This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts or working conditions associated with these roles. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current Position, management reserves the right to revise the Position or to require that other or different tasks be performed when circumstances change. This Position description replaces all previous Position descriptions for this position.

BENEFITS:

• Employer Funded Retirement Plan
• 403b
• Free Medical (Kaiser or Sutter), Dental and Vision
• Free Life Insurance
• Reimbursement for approved courses and seminars
• EAP Program
• Discounts on programs through partnered companies such as Legal Shield, ID Shield, and AFLAC

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bilingual in English/Spanish OR English/Arabic strongly preferred.
• Current or former WIC participant.
• At least 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding experience.
• Knowledge of WIC data system and forms, preferred.
• Possesses a basic understanding of the importance of confidentiality and non-disclosure according to the general standards set forth by HIPAA.
• Proven interviewing and communication skills and ability to relate to a diverse population group.
• Applicant must be drug-free during work hours and free of illicit substances at all times.
• Excellent daily attendance and punctuality.
• Able to self-pace study and complete work in a timely manner.
• Culturally sensitive and demonstrated ability and effectiveness working with ethnically diverse populations.
• Valid driver's license or state I.D.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• High School Diploma or its equivalent required.
• Prerequisite entry level experience, answering phone, making appointments.