Breastfeeding Peer Counselor - Harris County
Houston, TX
About the Job
Harris County Public Health has earned the 2023 Best Place for Working Parents Business Designation.
About Harris County Public Health:
Harris County Public Health (HCPH) includes a network of more than 700 public health professionals working together to improve health outcomes for the third most populous county in the United States. HCPH provides a multitude of services such as medical and dental services, community programming, and health education for the approximately 2.3 million people in unincorporated Harris County. Through its core values of innovation, engagement, and health equity, HCPH strives to bring meaningful solutions to public health issues while keeping Harris County healthy and vibrant.
*** This is a Grant Funded position. ***
The WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor is a paraprofessional support person who promotes breastfeeding as the optimal method of infant feeding among WIC participants, both individually and in group settings. The Breastfeeding Peer Counselor may be expected to work outside of the WIC Clinic environment, including making home or hospital visits to WIC clients. The Breastfeeding Peer Counselor may assist the Lactation Consultant and other WIC staff as assigned by Site Supervisor or Breastfeeding Promotion Coordinator.
About Harris County Public Health:
Harris County Public Health (HCPH) includes a network of more than 700 public health professionals working together to improve health outcomes for the third most populous county in the United States. HCPH provides a multitude of services such as medical and dental services, community programming, and health education for the approximately 2.3 million people in unincorporated Harris County. Through its core values of innovation, engagement, and health equity, HCPH strives to bring meaningful solutions to public health issues while keeping Harris County healthy and vibrant.
*** This is a Grant Funded position. ***
The WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor is a paraprofessional support person who promotes breastfeeding as the optimal method of infant feeding among WIC participants, both individually and in group settings. The Breastfeeding Peer Counselor may be expected to work outside of the WIC Clinic environment, including making home or hospital visits to WIC clients. The Breastfeeding Peer Counselor may assist the Lactation Consultant and other WIC staff as assigned by Site Supervisor or Breastfeeding Promotion Coordinator.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Provides information and actively promotes breastfeeding to WIC participants and to the community and gives counseling to WIC participants individually to identify barriers and optimize their breastfeeding success by assessing, evaluating, addressing and following-up on WIC client breastfeeding issues effectively
- Makes telephone follow ups with WIC breastfeeding participants to support breastfeeding and identify clients needing more advanced care. This assignment also includes answering the Breastfeeding After-hours Helpline during non-traditional work hours and making appropriate referrals to the Lactation Consultant within program guidelines. And may include being assigned to deliver breast pumps to WIC participants in the hospital or at home.
- Attends initial and on-going breastfeeding training provided by WIC Program staff
- Conducts WIC Nutrition Education classes about the benefits of breastfeeding.
- Completes required reports on breastfeeding promotion activities and submits to Breastfeeding Promotions Coordinator by deadline.
- Maintains stock of breastfeeding supplies, educational materials, and breast pumps and/or other equipment according to sanitation guidelines, equipment directions and local policies.
Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net
Job Type: Grant-funded Full-time
Location: Houston, Texas
Agency: Public Health Services
Source : Harris County