Breastfeeding Peer Counselor

Putnam County Hospital - Greencastle, Indiana; Greencastle (IN); On-site; USD 17,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

Putnam County Hospital in Greencastle, IN—is seeking a part-time WIC Breastfeeding Support Specialist. The role provides basic breastfeeding education and support to pregnant and breastfeeding clients within the Indiana WIC program.

You will engage with staff and community partners, lead breastfeeding classes, document in INWIC MIS, and participate in ongoing staff development. This role emphasizes confidentiality and collaborative care in a fast-paced clinic setting.

Qualifications

• Paraprofessional; not trained in health, nutrition, or clinical breastfeeding management.
• Represents the population served at the local agency.
• Has breastfed at least one infant for six months within the last five years.
• Enthusiastic about breastfeeding and supporting other parents.
• Ability to work independently.
• Works effectively on a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Display a positive reflection of the Indiana WIC program in clinic and community outreach.
• Develop relationships with staff and partnering community agencies.
• Maintain a compassionate clinic environment for the community.
• Promote breastfeeding as the normative infant feeding method in the clinic.
• Provide basic breastfeeding education and support within scope of practice.
• Ensure confidentiality of client information per WIC regulations.
• Follow all Indiana WIC program policies and procedures.
• Counsel clients with basic breastfeeding guidance and address common barriers.
• Refer clients to WIC staff and healthcare providers as needed.
• Help clients prevent and manage common breastfeeding problems.
• Lead and facilitate breastfeeding classes.
• Document required information in INWIC MIS.
• Participate in in-service education and staff meetings.
• Attend off-site conferences as required.
• Other duties may be assigned.

Skills

Communication

Independent work

Teamwork

Adaptability

Computer skills

Tools

INWIC MIS

Clinic computer system

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: PUTNAM COUNTY HOSPITAL - GREENCASTLE, IN 46135

Position Type: Part Time

Job Shift: Day

Overall Job Summary

Responsible for providing basic breastfeeding education and support to all pregnant and breastfeeding WIC clients.

Job Responsibilities

• Display a positive reflection of the Indiana WIC program, both in the clinic and through community outreach activities, which may include local Farmers' Market events and collaborations with healthcare providers, non-profit organizations, and other community partners.
• Develop working relationships with other staff and partnering community agencies.
• Maintain a compassionate clinic environment that supports the needs of the community.
• Support and promote breastfeeding as the normative infant feeding method within the clinic environment.
• Provide all pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding clients with evidence-based breastfeeding support and education, within the clinic role’s scope of practice.
• Ensure confidentiality of applicant and client information in accordance with WIC federal regulation.
• Follow all policies and procedures of the Indiana WIC program.
• Counsel clients with basic breastfeeding education and support, including anticipatory guidance and addressing common barriers to breastfeeding.
• Refer clients to appropriate WIC staff and healthcare providers as needed for further assessment.
• Help clients prevent and handle common breastfeeding problems.
• Lead and facilitate breastfeeding classes.
• Document required information in the Indiana WIC Management Information System (INWIC MIS).
• Participate in in-service education and staff meetings.
• Attend off-site conferences and meetings as needed or required by the position.
• Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Qualifications

• A paraprofessional (does not have professional training in health,nutrition, or the clinical management of breastfeeding)
• Is representative of the population served at the local agency.
• Has breastfed at least one infant for at least six months within the last five years (does not have to be currently breastfeeding)
• Is enthusiastic about breastfeeding and wants to support other parents in their infant feeding journey
• Ability to work independently.
• Work effectively on a multidisciplinary team.
• Flexibility during periods of Program change.
• Effective communication, both orally and in writing.
• Capacity to facilitate discussion to address the needs of individuals.
• Demonstrate professionalism in a manner consistent with legal and ethical standards including WIC federal regulation.
• Operate standard office and computer equipment.
• Utilize Indiana WIC communication services to appropriately serve WIC clients.
• Available to work part-time hours
• Work completed in a fast-paced clinic setting. This may include interaction with the public, exposure to loud noises, and working in close proximity to others.
• Repetitive motion related to standard office work.
• Occasional travel between clinics and to required statewide conferences.
• May be required to communicate with clients outside of normal clinic hours in an environment that promotes client confidentiality.