Part Time Bilingual Breast Feeding Peer Counselor

Position/Classification:            Part-Time Bilingual (English/Creole) Breast Feeding Peer Counselor 

Program:                                    Department of Health and Senior Services, WIC of Mercer County

Reports to:                                 WIC Breastfeeding Supervisor

Location:                                    1440 Parkside Avenue Ewing, New Jersey 08638 

Education Requirements:         High School Diploma

Schedule:                                   21 Hours per Week - Flexible and Varied Work Schedule required 

                                                    Some evening and weekend hours are required

Salary:                                         $18.50 per hour

Benefits:                                      PTO

This is a CWA Local 1040 position. 

The Breastfeeding Peer Counselor provides basic breastfeeding information and encouragement to WIC pregnant and breastfeeding participants. 

Experience Requirement: A peer counselor is a paraprofessional who has personal exclusive breastfeeding experience of at least six months, is enthusiastic about breastfeeding, has basic communication skills, has completed the “New Jersey WIC Services Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Training” with a grade of at least 80% on the final exam, and is able to model good parenting and breastfeeding skills. Ideally, a peer counselor is a present or former WIC participant who is from the community where she works and can speak the language of those she serves. 

Experience:

• Knowledge of computers and relevant software applications
• Knowledge of customer service principles and practices
• Keyboard skills

Key Competencies

• Bilingual English/Creole (Written and Spoken)
• Professional personal presentation
• Customer service orientation
• Attention to detail
• Initiative
• Reliability
• Stress tolerance 

Responsibilities: 

• Facilitates or assists with breastfeeding group discussions for participants 
• Provides basic breastfeeding information and support to pregnant and breastfeeding WIC participants by telephone, home visits, and/or hospital visits 
• Makes routine periodic contacts with all clients assigned to her caseload 
• Is available outside the usual 8 to 5 working hours to new mothers who are having breastfeeding problems 
• Keeps accurate records of all contacts with WIC pregnant and breastfeeding women 
• Documents in WIC ACCESS nutrition education contacts and communicates pertinent plan of care information via general notes 
• Keeps client information strictly confidential 
• Makes referrals according to established protocols to the CPA, lactation consultant, the mother’s physician, a public health program in the community, or a social service agency 
• Attends monthly breastfeeding staff meetings and meetings of the local agency for which she provide breastfeeding services 

The Children’s Home Society is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer M/F/D/V. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.