Breastfeeding Peer Counselor/Counselor Assistant-Women, Infant & Children (WIC)-Public Health

Job Responsibilities

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• Provides information, through individual and group contacts, to prenatal women to encourage them to breastfeed, including benefits, overcoming concerns, and getting a good start with breastfeeding. Counsels techniques that elicit an address client concerns and needs.
• Provides routine breastfeeding follow-up and support for breastfeeding mothers via telephone calls and text messages, breastfeeding class, and/or clinic visits, hospital visits, and when indicated, home visits under supervision.
• Refers identified high risk mothers and babies to the Breastfeeding Coordinator and other appropriate health and medical professionals.
• Participates in providing breastfeeding educational in-services for staff and community groups. Attends appropriate staff and peer counselor meetings, support groups, and local coalitions providing community breastfeeding outreach as requested.
• Distributes appropriate educational and correspondence materials as needed, under supervision.
• Conducts and helps facilitate the following classes: How to Breastfeed Class, Circle of Friend Class, and Prenatal Class (assists with site CPA).
• Visits local hospital with under parameters and agreement outlined in the MOA/MOU, to educate new mothers in the hospital on breastfeeding and other WIC services.
• Under supervision, assists with patient instruction, issuance, documentation, and maintenance of electric pumps and other devices as requested by Breastfeeding Coordinator and/or site CPA.
• Keeps up to date, reading current breastfeeding literature. Participates in continuing education, workshops, and in-services to update breastfeeding promotion and lactation management skills.
• Maintains accurate and appropriate documentation and files.
• Performs other duties as required by supervisor.
  
  

Minimum And Additional Requirements

State Minimum Requirements: A high school diploma and relevant human services or social services experience.

Agency Additional Requirements: A mother who has successfully breastfed at least one child. Experience as a WIC participant required.

DPH employees are required to participate in disaster preparedness during hazardous weather or declaration of an emergency. This involves being subject to duty and or call on a 24-hour basis.

You must possess a valid driver's license and have access to a reliable transportation.

This position may require working early (before 8:30 am), evening (after 5:00 pm) and/or Saturday's.

Ability to lift 30 pounds and stand for long periods of time, if required.

IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS : All new employees who are healthcare providers with job-specific exposure risk are required to provide documentation of immunity or be immunized against measles, mumps, rubella, pertussis, varicella, and Hepatitis B prior to beginning employment.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS : Applicants indicating college credit or degree(s) on the application may upload an unofficial copy of the transcript as an attachment to the application. Please note that the agency may require an official, certified copy of the transcript or diploma prior to hiring. Institutions of higher learning must be recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

Preferred Qualifications

Associate's Degree preferred. Bilingual in Spanish preferred.

Additional Comments

EEO:

SC DPH is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employing agency. We are committed to a diverse workforce. SC DPH does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.

Applicants needing an accommodation for medical reasons or a sincerely held religious belief may submit a request for an accommodation. A reasonable accommodation may be granted if it doesn't impose an undue hardship or pose a direct threat to the health and safety of others.

DRIVING RECORD:

If this position requires the applicant to possess a valid driver's license to operate a state vehicle or personal vehicle, any applicant being considered in the final stages of selection for the position will be required to provide a certified copy of a 10-year driving record.

WORK/LIFE BALANCE:

If you are looking for work/life balance, this is the place to be. Easy pace, terrific area to raise a family, low cost of living, beautiful area – close to the beaches and the mountains. Low median cost of living, low taxes, and excellent school systems.

The South Carolina Department of Public Health offers an exceptional benefits package for FTE positions that include:

Health, Dental, Vision, Long-Term Disability, and Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse & Children

15 Days Annual (Vacation) Leave per year

15 Days Sick Leave per year

13 Paid Holidays per year

Paid Parental Leave (PPL) Six Weeks for mother per year/Two Weeks for partner per year

State Retirement Plan And Deferred Compensation Program

REMOTE WORK: The option to work partially remote or adjusted work hours may be available after six (6) months of employment for approved positions.