WIC Peer Counselor

Tioga; Town of Owego (NY); On-site; USD 7,500 - 9,200; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

403b retirement savings

Sick and vacation leave

Job summary

Tioga Opportunities, Inc. is seeking a WIC Peer Counselor to promote breastfeeding and provide information and encouragement to pregnant or breastfeeding participants.

This is a part-time, 10-hour-per-week position with a pay rate of $16.00 per hour. Generous benefits include 403b retirement savings and sick and vacation leave.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED (or equivalent).
• Recruited from WIC target population and reflect participants’ background.
• Must have breastfed at least one baby and complete USDA WIC curriculum within 90 days.

Responsibilities

• Provide basic breastfeeding information and support to pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.
• Contact participants via clinic visits, home or hospital visits, and other communications.
• Observe and obtain consent before touching mother/baby; monitor progress with pumps.
• Refer participants to Designated Breastfeeding Expert or other resources when needed.
• Maintain accurate records and prepare required reports.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Organizational skills

Education

High School diploma or GED

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Tioga Opportunities, Inc. is a cornerstone of the community that offers opportunities for growth and development for customers and employees. We are a strength-based, inclusive agency, committed to improving the lives of those we serve.

The WIC Peer Counselor promotes breastfeeding as the preferred infant feeding method and provides basic breastfeeding information and encouragement to WIC participants who are pregnant or breastfeeding

This is a Part-Time, 10 hour per week position. The schedule is 5 hours per day, two days per week.

The WIC Peer Counselor position pay is $16.00/hour.

Generous benefits include:

• 403b retirement savings
• Sick and vacation leave

TheWIC Nutritionist job responsibilities include:

• Provides basic breastfeeding information and support to pregnant and breastfeeding mothers
• Contacts pregnant and breastfeeding mothers via multiple avenues of communication and/or visits with mothers at the WIC clinic, home or hospital, occasionally outside normal WIC clinic hours
• Uses WIC-provided cell phone to communicate with breastfeeding women outside scheduled work hours
• Refer participants to the Designated Breastfeeding Expert (DBE), QN/CPA, or other community breastfeeding resources for situations outside the peer counselor’s scope of practice
• Encourages mothers to work openly and honestly with their health care providers
• Encourages mothers to have confidence in what they are doing and asks permission to observe breastfeeding and prior to touching mother and/or baby
• Follows up with clients who have received pumps to monitor their progress with phone calls and/or with written correspondence
• Keeps accurate records, maintains paper and electronic charts, and prepares reports as needed
• Provides and documents appropriate follow-up referrals to other health and social service agencies for participants
• Completes the Peer Counselor training facilitated by Breastfeeding Coordinator and attends training and development conferences and workshops out-of-town as necessary
• Responsible for the safety of NYWIC equipment and program issued cell phone

Minimum Education and Experience:

• Graduation from High School OR possession of a High School Equivalency Diploma; AND
• Recruited and hired from WIC's target population, and, to the extent possible, represent the same racial/ethnic background as the participants the position supports; AND
• Have breastfed at least one baby; AND
• Is trained based on the USDA FNS WIC Breastfeeding Curriculum, within a 90-day Introductory Period

Other facts:

• Provides support for special program outreach such as classes, support groups, community events, or projects which may occur outside normal working hours
• The employee must attend mandatory trainings.
• Working hours will correspond to the needs of the participants and the purpose of the program.
• The principle of confidentiality applies to all information about program participants and their families.
• The employee must assume responsibility for meeting the transportation needs as required by the nature of this position and have a driver's license that is acceptable to the Agency's standards.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Interpersonal skills to relate well with individuals of all socio-economic levels
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions
• Ability to be calm, flexible, organized, and able to work in a busy office and/or environment
• Ability to work both independently and cooperatively with co-workers and other agencies in an effort to meet the goals and objectives of the program
• Ability to interpret and apply program regulations
• Well-developed organizational skills, ability to establish priorities, and to maintain accurate records
• Must have computer skills to perform efficiently, i.e. MS Office

Working Conditions

Constantly: Activity/condition exists from 2/3 or more of the time

• Sits at desk to complete paperwork; to input, examine, and retrieve data on computer.
• Talks and listens in person and on telephone to receive and give information, to work with co-workers and clients.

Frequently: Activity/condition exists from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time

• Stands to file and make photocopies.
• Walks within offices area to deliver reports and other documents.

Occasionally: Activity/condition exists up to 1/3 of the time

• Lifts and carries supplies weighing up to 30 pounds.
• Reaches and bends to access file drawers, pick up materials or supplies.
• Climbs stairs at WIC sites.
• Travels and/or drives agency van to WIC sites with equipment and supplies.

Tioga Opportunities, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in hiring on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.