Breastfeeding Peer Counselor

Title: Breastfeeding Peer Counselor

State Role Title: Direct Service Associate II

Hiring Range: $15.46- $18.00

Pay Band: 1

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location: CHESAPEAKE HQ

Agency Website: www.vdh.virginia.gov/chesapeake/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

A WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor is a paraprofessional support person who gives basic breastfeeding information and encouragement to WIC pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. Receives a caseload of WIC mothers and makes routine periodic contacts with all mothers assigned. Gives basic breastfeeding information and support to new mothers, informing them about the benefits of breastfeeding, overcoming barriers and getting a good start with breastfeeding. She also helps mothers prevent and handle common breastfeeding concerns. Counsels WIC pregnant and breastfeeding mothers by telephone, home or hospital visits or at WIC clinics at schedules determined by the local WIC Program. Availability outside the WIC clinic and usual 8 to 5 working schedule to new mothers who are having breastfeeding difficulties. Respects each mother by keeping her information confidential. Keeps accurate records of all contacts made with WIC mothers. Refers mothers according to established protocols to: WIC Nutritionist, BF Coordinator, Lactation Consultant, mother's physician or nurse, public health programs in the community, social service agencies. Attends and assists with Prenatal & BF Classes and support groups. Attends scheduled staff meetings and breastfeeding conferences, workshops and trainings as appropriate. Reads assigned books and materials on breastfeeding that are provided by the supervisor. May assist WIC staff in promoting breastfeeding peer counseling through special projects and duties as assigned.

Wage employees are subject to the following conditions of employment:
• Wage employees serve at the will and pleasure of the appointing authority.
• Continuing employment is based on available funding and business need.
• Wage employees are not covered by the provisions of the Virginia Personnel Act. Therefore, they are not eligible for benefits
  which are provided to salaried employees, such as leave credits, holiday pay, insurance, access to the grievance procedure, etc.
• Wage employees are paid only for the hours they actually work.
• Virginia state law currently requires that agencies not permit wage employees to work in excess of 29 hours per week on average
  over the course of a year. Wage employees may not work for VDH beyond 1,500 hours during the period of May 1 – April 30 of the     following year (the Standard Measurement Period).
• Once a wage employee works the maximum of 1,500 hours during the Standard Measurement Period, the employee may be
  rehired as a wage employee of VDH only after the next Standard Measurement Period has begun.
• Wage employees are eligible to apply for all classified positions for which recruitment has been initiated, including those limited
   to State Employees Only.
• If a wage employee becomes employed in a classified position, he/she will be eligible to purchase retirement credit for the time
  worked as a wage employee. • Continuing employment is based on available funding and business need.

Minimum Qualifications

Demonstrate a Working Knowledge of:
• Basic human lactation.
• Breastfeeding practices
• Various positioning techniques.
• Basic breastfeeding management.
• Manual expression of breast milk.
• Collection and storage of human milk.
• Good communication skills.

Additional Considerations

• WIC Breastfeeding Counseling experience preferred but not required.
• Ability to interact effectively and professionally with people from diverse cultural, socio-
economic, education, racial, ethnic and professional backgrounds: managers, co-workers and
members of the public and professional groups.
• Ability to communicate in Spanish preferred.
• A valid State Driver's License is required to operate a state vehicle or if operating a personal vehicle while conducting business on behalf of the agency and must adhere to VDH's driver safety policy.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to che