Breastfeeding Peer Counselor

City of Lincoln & Lancaster County; Lincoln (NE); On-site; USD 7,800 - 16,000; Part time

Job summary

City of Lincoln & Lancaster County seeks a part-time breastfeeding peer counselor to support WIC participants in Lincoln, NE. This temporary role involves in-clinic and telephone guidance, fostering breastfeeding knowledge, and helping mothers overcome challenges.

Responsibilities include attending trainings, providing information via multiple channels, and maintaining records. Availability for occasional evenings and driver’s license required; bilingual skills preferred to serve diverse

Qualifications

• Must have breastfed at least one baby for 6 months or longer
• Enthusiastic about breastfeeding and helping other mothers enjoy a positive experience
• Has reliable transportation and a valid driver’s license
• Willing to work occasional evenings or early mornings as needed to support families
• Languages representative of our population preferred (Spanish, Karen, Arabic, Kurdish)

Responsibilities

• Attend and complete scheduled trainings to become a peer counselor
• Counsel WIC pregnant and breastfeeding mothers by telephone, email, text, and clinic visits
• Maintain routine contact with mothers as assigned
• Provide basic breastfeeding information including benefits and overcoming barriers
• Follow Loving Support guidelines for basic breastfeeding support
• Help prevent and handle common breastfeeding concerns
• Maintain confidentiality and accurate record-keeping of contacts
• Follow referral protocol within WIC or to health resources
• Assist with program classes and support groups as assigned
• Promote the breastfeeding peer counseling program through special projects
• Read assigned breastfeeding materials as directed by supervisor
• Maintain willingness to learn and adapt to program needs

Skills

Good communication skills

Bilingual helpful

Job description

This is part-time (8-12 hours per week), temporary work performing mother-to-mother support services for the Women Infants and Children (WIC) Program for the Lincoln/Lancaster County Health Department.

Breastfeeding peers will provide basic breastfeeding information, support, and encouragement to pregnant and breastfeeding mothers enrolled in the WIC program. Performs related work as assigned. Work is performed in the WIC clinic and by telephone. Must be available outside normal business hours (8:00-4:30) to assist new mothers with breastfeeding. Supervised by WIC Certified Professional Authority with advanced training in breastfeeding.

1. Attends and completes scheduled trainings and meetings to become a peer counselor
2. Counsel WIC pregnant and breastfeeding mothers by telephone, email, text, and WIC clinic visits.
3. Routine contact with mothers as assigned.
4. Gives basic breastfeeding information to mothers. Including topic such as: benefits of breastfeeding, overcoming common barriers and concerns with breastfeeding, getting a good start to breastfeeding.
5. Follow Loving Support guidelines regarding basic breastfeeding support for new mothers.
6. Help prevent and handle common breastfeeding concerns.
7. Respects each mother by following confidentiality standards.
8. Keep accurate records of all contacts.
9. Follow referral protocol for participants. Referrals may be within the WIC program, to health care resources, or other community support agencies.
10. Instructs, attends, and assists with program classes and support groups as assigned
11. Assist with promoting breastfeeding peer counseling program through special projects and duties.
12. Reads assigned books and materials on breastfeeding as assigned by supervisor.

Has breastfed at least one baby for 6 months or longer.

Is enthusiastic about breastfeeding and wants to help other mothers enjoy a positive experience.

Can work about 10-15 hours per week.

Has reliable transportation.

Good communication skills, both written and verbal.

Successful completion of criminal records check.

Reflects population served in age, ethnicity, education, and language.

Bilingual helpful. Looking for languages representative of our population: Spanish, Karen, Arabic, Kurdish.

Must possess a valid driver’s license at the time for hire and maintain it throughout the course of employment. Have reliable transportation.