Breastfeeding Peer Counselor

Hamilton Health Center; Harrisburg (Dauphin County); On-site; USD 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dedicated team at a forward-thinking health center focused on improving community health. As a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor, you will provide essential education and support to new mothers, ensuring they receive the guidance needed for successful breastfeeding. This role emphasizes a holistic approach to healthcare, respecting each mother's unique circumstances while promoting access to vital resources. If you are passionate about maternal and child health and enjoy working with diverse populations, this position offers a fulfilling opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of families in Central Pennsylvania.

Benefits

Paid time off

Medical, Dental & Vision

Company paid life insurance

Retirement Plan

Employee Assistance Program

Qualifications

• Minimum of one year of WIC experience in a similar position.
• Knowledge of educational and nutrition counseling methods.

Responsibilities

• Provide breastfeeding education and support to WIC eligible participants.
• Document breastfeeding assessments and maintain confidentiality.

Skills

Breastfeeding education

Nutrition counseling

Documentation skills

Cultural competency

Education

WIC experience

Basic computer skills

Tools

PENN Data System

Job description

All About Hamilton Health Center

Hamilton Health Center (Hamilton), established in 1969, is the only Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) within a 30-mile radius of Harrisburg, PA and continues to grow using a holistic and comprehensive approach to being patient centered. The mission of Hamilton is to improve the health of Central Pennsylvania’s residents by delivering high quality, respectful and patient-centered health and related social services that promote access, treatment, education, and prevention regardless of health, economic, or insurance status. Our vision is that every member of our community, regardless of their ability to pay or their insurance status, receives holistic, quality health care needed to create a healthy community. For over 50 years we have been true to these words. As part of our team, you will work alongside a dedicated team that cares and values those we serve.

Benefits offered: In addition to your base pay, you are also eligible to receive:

• Paid time off, Catastrophic (CAT)/Sick time, Birthday holiday, and 7 paid holidays.
• Medical, Dental & Vision,
• Company paid life insurance.
• Retirement Plan
• Employee Assistance Program

Job Summary:

The Breastfeeding Peer Counselor is responsible for providing breastfeeding education and support to WIC eligible participants. The Peer Counselor performs and documents breastfeeding detailed assessments and provides education to participants, within federal and state guidelines.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Attends breastfeeding training to become a peer counselor and on-going training as directed.
• Receives a caseload of WIC mothers and makes routine periodic contacts with all mothers assigned.
• Gives basic breastfeeding information and support to new mothers and helps mothers prevent and handle common breastfeeding concerns.
• Counsel WIC mothers at WIC clinic, by phone, virtually, at home, or during hospital visits at scheduled intervals.
• Attends peer counselor meetings and in-services as directed.
• Respects each mother by keeping her information strictly confidential.
• Keeps accurate records of all contacts made with WIC mothers.
• Refers mothers, according to clinic established protocols, to WIC nutritionist and Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Supervisor when out of scope of practice.
• Attends and assists with in-person and virtual prenatal classes and breastfeeding support groups.
• Makes referrals to health, social service, and other community services both in and outside of HHC services.
• Incorporates Value Enhanced Nutrition Assessment (VENA) skills, participant centered counseling and guided goal-setting techniques.
• Performs anthropometric measurements following regulations and state policy.
• Participates in meetings, in-services, training, and conferences assigned by management.
• Complies with nutrition education, breastfeeding, and outreach objectives, assists coordinators in development and implementation of plan.
• Attends WIC Satellite clinics as assigned. Performs all duties necessary to ensure smooth clinic flow and delivery of benefits to participants. Assures security of equipment at the site.
• Responsible for overall security of equipment and supplies for the clinic site.
• Assures security of eWIC cards and protects participant confidentiality.
• May assist WIC staff in promoting breastfeeding peer counseling through special projects and duties as assigned.
• Meets with Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Supervisor weekly.
• Responsible to communicate needs and issues to WIC Director, the State WIC Agency or Hamilton Health Center as needed.

Minimum Work Experience:

• Minimum of one year of WIC experience in a similar position.
• Basic computer skills and in-depth knowledge of the PENN Data System are required.
• Good documentation skills are required.
• Knowledge of educational and nutrition counseling methods, nutrition assessment, anthropometric and hematological measurements, breastfeeding promotion and support methods, social and human service systems for client referral.

Other Requirements/preferences:

• Ability to exercise judgment, tact, and diplomacy, as well as be comfortable working with a diverse racial, ethnic, and socio-economic population.
• Reliable transportation required.
• Bi-lingual Spanish preferred.

This job description is a general outline of duties performed and is not to be misconstrued as encompassing all duties performed within the position. All individuals (including current employees) selected for a position will undergo a background check appropriate for the position's responsibilities.

EOE