Breastfeeding Peer Counselor

{"Job Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Breastfeeding Peer Counselor to join our team at the Commonwealth of Virginia. The successful candidate will promote breastfeeding among WIC participants, health care workers, and the community, while operating within the BFPC scope of practice as defined in the WIC Breastfeeding Curriculum.

Key Responsibilities

* Provide breastfeeding encouragement, information, and counsel to prenatal and breastfeeding participants
* Conduct support group meetings and assist the nutritionist with individual and other group sessions
* Contact participants at predetermined intervals to provide counsel, encouragement, and information to maintain lactation
* Identify problems or potential problems necessitating referral to the nutritionist or WIC Designated Breastfeeding Expert (DBE)
* Recruit participants to attend nutrition education classes
* Maintain logs of patient contacts and complete monthly activity reports
* Plan and participate in community outreach events for WIC participants
* Create and maintain a breastfeeding-friendly environment

Requirements

* Demonstrate a working knowledge of basic human lactation, breastfeeding practices, various positioning techniques, basic breastfeeding management, manual expression of breast milk, collection and storage of human milk, and good communication skills
* Instruct in a group and individual setting
* Recognize problems related to breastfeeding and make appropriate referrals/interventions

Preferred Qualifications

* Current or former WIC participants
* Breastfeeding Peer Counseling training via the most current USDA FNS Training Platform
* Bilingual in English/Spanish
* Breastfed at least one baby for 6 months

Working Conditions

* Wage employees serve at the will and pleasure of the appointing authority
* Continuing employment is based on available funding and business need
* Wage employees are not covered by the provisions of the Virginia Personnel Act
* Wage employees are paid only for the hours they actually work
* Virginia state law requires that agencies not permit wage employees to work in excess of 29 hours per week on average over the course of a year

How to Apply

If you are a motivated and experienced professional looking for a challenging opportunity, please submit your application and/or résumé to the Commonwealth of Virginia. You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully.

Contact Information

For more information, please contact Michelle McKinney at (540) 322-5878 or ov

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