Part-time Breastfeeding Peer Counselor

Georgia Department of Public Health; Thomaston (GA); On-site; USD 17,000 - 25,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

A supportive and rewarding work enviro

Physical Activity Breaks

Worksite Wellness Program

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Georgia Department of Public Health is seeking a Part-Time Breastfeeding Peer Counselor to support the WIC program across Lamar, Pike, Spalding, and Upson counties. The role includes prenatal and postnatal breastfeeding education in clinics, home visits, and by phone, with a schedule of up to 29 hours per week.

Applicants must be able to breastfeed a child for six months or longer, and being a former WIC participant is a plus. Bilingual Spanish/English is preferred to serve diverse communities.

Qualifications

• Must be able to breastfeed one or more of your children for six months or longer and be or have been a WIC participant.
• Bilingual Spanish/English is preferred to support diverse WIC participants.

Responsibilities

• Receives a caseload of WIC mothers and makes routine contact with all mothers.
• Provides basic breastfeeding information and support to new mothers.
• Develops with mothers a breastfeeding plan compatible with their circumstances.
• Counsels pregnant and breastfeeding mothers by clinic visits or telephone at scheduled intervals.

Skills

Bilingual – Spanish/English

Job description

Upson County WIC & Nutrition Center

314 East Lee Street, Thomaston, GA 30286

Part-Time Breastfeeding Peer Counselor

Women, Infants & Children Program (WIC)

District 4 Public Health

301 Main Street

Lagrange, GA 30240

Upson County WIC & Nutrition Center

314 East Lee Street, Thomaston, GA 30286

Lamar County WIC & Nutrition Center

100 Academy Drive, Barnesville, GA 30204

Please Note: This position will cover multiple locations.

Region C covers: Lamar, Pike, Spalding, Upson

Time Requirement: Up to 29 Hours per week (Minimum of 24 hours per week)

Under general supervision, provides limited para-professional social services to clients and their families. Facilitates prenatal breastfeeding classes alongside CPA for WIC participants and provides individual breastfeeding education in the WIC clinic as needed. Provides on-going breastfeeding education and/or counseling to WIC pregnant and breastfeeding mothers by telephone, home visits, and/or hospital visits at scheduled intervals as determined by the local WIC program. Gives basic breastfeeding information and support to new mothers, including education on the benefits of breastfeeding, overcoming common barriers to breastfeeding, and how to start breastfeeding successfully. Use proper and consistent documentation for peer counselor contacts in peer counselor database system. Attends and participates in monthly staff meetings and breastfeeding conferences/ workshops as appropriate. Completes other duties as assigned. This position works to promote and protect the health and safety of the residents of Lamar, Pike, Spalding, and Upson Counties.

All District 4 Public Health, County BOH employees are deemed essential employees in the event of an emergency. As such, you may be called on to participate in an event not limited to but including, staffing a shelter, a Specimen Point of Collection Site (SPOC) and/or Point of Distribution site (POD). When you are called on to participate, you are expected and it will be a part of your job requirement to participate, whether the emergency occurs during or outside regular work hours.

Job Responsibilities

• Receives a caseload of WIC mothers and makes routine periodic contact with all mothers
• Gives basic breastfeeding information and support to new mothers, including telling them about the benefits of breastfeeding, overcoming common barriers, and getting a good start with breastfeeding
• Helps mothers prevent and handle common breastfeeding concerns by developing a breastfeeding plan that will fit their situation
• Counsels WIC pregnant and breastfeeding mothers in WIC Clinic or by telephone visits at scheduled intervals determined by the local WIC program
• Assists the mother in setting goals within the context of her socioeconomic situation
• Develops with the mother and her significant other a breastfeeding plan that will fit their situation, based on history and observation
• Is available during/outside the usual 8 to 5 working schedules to new mothers who are having breastfeeding problems
• Respects each mother by keeping her information strictly confidential abiding by HIPAA guidelines
• Provides consistent and appropriate follow-up
• Refers mothers, per clinic-established protocols, to:
• WIC Nutritionist or breastfeeding coordinator
• Lactation Consultant
• Mother's physician or nurse
• Public health programs in the community
• Attends monthly staff meetings and breastfeeding conferences/workshops as appropriate
• Assists WIC staff in promoting breastfeeding through special projects and duties as assigned
• Is enthusiastic about breastfeeding and has a strong desire to help other mothers enjoy a positive breastfeeding experience
• Must utilize work-issued phone to make/receive phone calls or text
• Must have reliable transportation
• Must be able to assist moms with breastfeeding in assigned WIC Clinic
• Basic computer skills needed

Minimum Qualifications

Breastfeed one or more of your children for six months or longer AND be a current or former WIC participant AND provide a current or former WIC ID number

• Bilingual – Spanish/English Language - $1 added to minimum hire in salary

Preferred Qualifications

• Public Health experience
• Computer experience (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, data entry, etc.)
• Must demonstrate excellent customer service and oral communication skills, to effectively interact with all levels of departmental personnel and outside customers
• Work requires ability to manage multiple duties simultaneously

Additional Information

Additional Perks

• A supportive and rewarding work environment
• Physical Activity Breaks
• Worksite Wellness Program
• Employee Assistance Program

To learn more about District 4 Public Health visit - https://www.district4health.org/

• District 4 is an Equal Opportunity Employer*

The State will not unlawfully consider an applicant's race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, sex, genetic information, political affiliation, protected uniformed service, or other legally protected category when making selection.

Applicants chosen for employment will be subject to the following:

• Criminal Background Check/Fingerprinting
• Pre-Employment Drug Screening
• Reference Checks & Immunizations Required

For more information about Public Health: Click HERE for Video

Who we are.

We protect lives. The Georgia Department of Public Health is the lead agency entrusted by the people of Georgia to proudly protect lives and promote healthy lifestyles in diverse communities statewide. We are committed to preventing disease, injury, and disability; promoting health and well-being; and preparing the State of Georgia for responding to disasters.

Benefits

What we offer.

• Make a Professional Impact – Build your career where it matters and protect lives in the community where you live, work, and play
• Enjoy Workplace Flexibility – Experience flexibility in how you work so you can be your best self for you and Georgia Residents
• Work with a Dynamic and Diverse Team– Collaborative and inclusive way of working where employees share ideas and leverage collective strengths
• Achieve Career Longevity – Countless opportunities for continuous learning/development that support a long-term career
• Take Part in a Hands-on Working Culture – Unique culture of active engagement and problem-solving, no matter your role
• Feel Pride in Where you Work – Be part of making an impact in public health alongside dedicated people just like you