Breast Feeding Counselor - Full time -DC

Counsel and provide breastfeeding education and support to pregnant and breastfeeding women participating in the WIC Program, for a successful breastfeeding experience. Interact with parents, clients, nutritionists and other staff under moderate supervision in a courteous manner.

Minimum Education

High School Diploma or GED (Required)

Minimum Experience

Breastfed an infant for at least 6 months (Required)

Current or prior enrollment in the WIC program as a breastfeeding mother (Preferred)

Experience in a health care setting (Preferred)

Required Skills/Knowledge

Demonstrate oral and written communication skills

Customer service skills

Successful completion of the multi-day Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) training, “Loving Support through Peer Counseling” facilitated by State Agency, within 6 months of hiring

Functional Accountabilities

Breastfeeding Support

Provide support to breastfeeding women to help them choose, initiate, and continue to breastfeed through clinic visits, hospital visits, home visits, and regular telephone contacts.

Respond to inquiries for breastfeeding support as referred by WIC clinic nutrition staff; refer mothers to the WIC nutrition team, lactation specialist, or private physician for breastfeeding concerns beyond the scope of the peer counselor’s expertise.

Facilitate breastfeeding classes and support groups.

Attend scheduled monthly meetings and training sessions to increase knowledge in supporting the breastfeeding effort.

Work under the direction of the local agency BF Coordinator, Lactation consultant or the designated Nutritionist at the assigned site. Ask questions and receive direction from immediate supervisor for any difficulties encountered in performance of duties.

Record Keeping

Complete client charts and forms as needed for breast feeding related matters; maintain follow up notes in the CARES system.

Maintain a weekly log of time spent in assigned duties for approval by immediate supervisor and BPC supervisor.

Program Knowledge

Assist the WIC staff in breastfeeding promotion through special projects and other duties as assigned.

Stay abreast of WIC policies and procedures and program updates through participation in staff meetings and training sessions as determined necessary by the Local Agency WIC Coordinator and WIC State Breastfeeding Coordinator.

Respect participant and patient confidentiality protocols.

Safety

Speak up when team members appear to exhibit unsafe behavior or performance

Continuously validate and verify information needed for decision making or documentation

Stop in the face of uncertainty and takes time to resolve the situation

Demonstrate accurate, clear and timely verbal and written communication

Actively promote safety for patients, families, visitors and co-workers

Attend carefully to important details - practicing Stop, Think, Act and Review in order to self-check behavior and performance

Organizational Accountabilities

Organizational Accountabilities (Staff)

Organizational Commitment/Identification

Anticipate and responds to customer needs; follows up until needs are met

Teamwork/Communication

Demonstrate collaborative and respectful behavior

Partner with all team members to achieve goals

Receptive to others’ ideas and opinions

Performance Improvement/Problem-solving

Contribute to a positive work environment

Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to change

Identify opportunities to improve clinical and administrative processes

Make appropriate decisions, using sound judgment

Cost Management/Financial Responsibility

Use resources efficiently

Search for less costly ways of doing things

Safety

Speak up when team members appear to exhibit unsafe behavior or performance

Continuously validate and verify information needed for decision making or documentation

Stop in the face of uncertainty and takes time to resolve the situation

Demonstrate accurate, clear and timely verbal and written communication

Actively promote safety for patients, families, visitors and co-workers

Attend carefully to important details - practicing Stop, Think, Act and Review in order to self-check behavior and performance