Breastfeeding Peer Counselor at State of Oklahoma in PURCELL, Oklahoma

Job Description:

Job Posting Title

Breastfeeding Peer Counselor

Agency

340 OKLAHOMA STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Supervisory Organization

340 District 6

Job Posting End Date (Continuous if Blank)

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the posting end date above.

Estimated Appointment End Date (Continuous if Blank)

Full/Part-Time

Part time

Job Type

Temporary

Compensation

The hourly salary for this position is up to $16.45.

Job Description

The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) is committed to leading Oklahoma to prosperity through health. Our mission is to protect and promote health, prevent disease and injury, and cultivate conditions by which Oklahomans can thrive. We value respect, collaboration, and service.

OSDH is seeking a full-time Breast Feeding Peer Counselor providing support to McClain County Health Department. This is a state employee position PIN 34003277 governed by the Civil Service Rules, in state government located in Purcell, Oklahoma.  The hourly salary for this position is up to $16.45.

Position Summary:

A WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor/Nutrition Assistant is a paraprofessional support person who gives basic breastfeeding information and encouragement to WIC pregnant and breastfeeding mothers with the goal of increasing the breastfeeding rates.

Mandatory Training:

Breastfeeding Peer Counselors will receive all of the following training:

• OSDH WIC Service Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Orientation.




• An approved basic Breastfeeding Educator Course (completion required within one year of employment and refresher completed at least every three years).




• Breast pump training.




• Scheduled Breastfeeding Peer Counselor in-services.

Recommended Training:

•  OSDH WIC Service Annual WIC Breastfeeding Conference.

Position Responsibilities /Essential Functions:

Duties not listed must be approved through the state Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Specialist and the local Administrative Director. Under the supervision of the local Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Coordinator, Breastfeeding Peer Counselors will perform any or all of the following duties:

• Breastfeeding Peer Counselors will make immediate referrals according to the individual local agency’s established referral system when they encounter: (1) Breastfeeding problems outside the normal breastfeeding experience (2) Breastfeeding problems that are not resolved within 24 hours of the Breastfeeding Peer Counselor’s intervention and (3) problems in an area other than breastfeeding and issues beyond their scope of expertise.




• Support WIC mothers during a normal breastfeeding experience




• Counsel new WIC mothers at certification




• Promote breastfeeding to WIC participants




• Address specific concerns of WIC expectant/breastfeeding mothers and correct misinformation




• Share WIC-approved breastfeeding educational materials with participants




• Counsel WIC pregnant and breastfeeding mothers over the telephone and in person (one-on-one) at scheduled intervals




• Follow up on WIC participants according to protocol (Refer to the Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Training Manual for recommended contact frequency.)




• Be available to WIC participants outside usual clinic hours and outside the WIC clinic environment




• Provide participants the phone number to the Oklahoma Breastfeeding Hotline for additional breastfeeding support from International Board Certified Lactation Consultants 24 hours per day/7 days a week




• Provide support and information to WIC breastfeeding mothers who may need help and/or advice to continue breastfeeding while working or going to school




• Issue breast pumps and maintain breast pump inventory (Must complete formal breast pump training prior to issuing breast pumps)




• Document appropriate counseling information, such as participant name, date, and time spent with participants in clinic records within 24 hours of contact




• Complete and turn in Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Monthly Activity Report to the local Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Coordinator by the fifth day of the following month

Other Duties:

• Demonstrates knowledge of and supports mission, vision, value statements, standards, policies and procedures, operating instructions, confidentiality standards, and the code of ethical behavior.




• Works effectively in team environment, participating and assisting their peers.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Receiving or have received WIC services.




• Successfully breastfed at least one baby (do not currently have to be breastfeeding, however at least six months of breastfeeding experience is preferred)




• Possesses good communication skills and have access to a telephone and reliable transportation




• Enthusiastic about breastfeeding and have a desire to help other mothers enjoy a positive experience

Valued Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Breastfeeding Peer Counselors are a special group of women who are able to model good parenting skills, as well as breastfeeding skills. Their responsibilities will include being positive role models and positive representatives of WIC and the Breastfeeding Peer Counselor program. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; to record observations and activities; to follow oral and written directions; and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others. Be familiar with nutritional and breastfeeding data and instruction to meet nutritional guidelines of WIC- Breastfeeding

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

Work is typically performed in an office setting with a climate controlled settings and exposure to moderate noise level. While performing the duties of the job, employee is required to talk, stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms.  This position requires long period of sitting and daily use of computer and phone.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

If education, certification or licensure is required to meet qualifications, applicants must provide documentation at the time of interview. 

All applicants are subject to a background check and must be legally authorized to work in the United States without visa sponsorship.

                                                                                            

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT WORKING AT THE OKLAHOMA STATE DEPARTMENT OF

HEALTH CLICK HERE

Equal Opportunity Employment

The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.

Current State of Oklahoma employees must apply for open positions through their Workday account. Go to Careers app on WD home screen>Click on 'Find Jobs-Internal State of Oklahoma'.

Salary:

$16.00

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