Breastfeeding Peer Counselor

Community Action Program Belknap-Merrimack Counties is seeking a dedicated and compassionate Breastfeeding Peer Counselor to join our team. As a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor, you will play a vital role in supporting pregnant and breastfeeding mothers in our community.

The Breastfeeding Peer Counselor is a paraprofessional support person who provides basic breastfeeding information and encouragement to WIC pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. This role involves providing face-to-face counseling, telephone support, and breastfeeding classes and support groups to promote successful breastfeeding experiences.

• Provides information, benefits, and reasons to breastfeed to pregnant and post-partum women in accordance with Agency policies and procedures and the USDA Breastfeeding Training Curriculum.
• Counsels WIC prenatal and breastfeeding women at WIC clinics through face-to-face counseling, telephone support, or through breastfeeding classes and support groups.
• Adheres to WIC USDA Breastfeeding Training Curriculum and NH Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Program requirements.
• Refers breastfeeding problems, questions or concerns that are beyond existing level of knowledge, scope of practice or require immediate attention to the Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program Coordinator (DBE) or nutritionist who is a CLC.
• Oversees a caseload of WIC participants and makes routine contact with all participants assigned by local agency Breastfeeding Coordinator.
• Gives basic breastfeeding information and support to new mothers, including discussing the benefits of breastfeeding, overcoming common barriers, and how to establish early successful breastfeeding. Also helps women prevent and handle common breastfeeding concerns within scope of practice.
• Attends clinics to provide in-person services to assist participants with breastfeeding needs as well as contacting participants by phone on days not scheduled for clinics.
• Contacts postpartum women electing to breastfeed after delivery by phone or by office appointment to assist in breastfeeding initiating questions and concerns, provide information and support, encourage the continuance of breastfeeding and to respond to any breastfeeding concerns or problems.
• Arranges follow-up contacts in accordance with schedule outlined in the NH Policy and Procedure Manual and as needed and indicated by WIC participants to provide necessary support and information to encourage a successful breastfeeding experience.
• Refers mothers to the local agency breastfeeding coordinator, DBE, lactation consultant, health care provider, or other community support program, according to local agency protocol and scope of practice.
• Maintains accurate records of all contacts and completes weekly activity worksheets documenting paper record information into the StarLINC System for WIC in a timely manner.
• Recognizes incompatible counseling relationships and reports these to supervisor.
• Assists WIC staff in promoting breastfeeding peer counseling through special projects, such as World Breastfeeding Week and other duties as assigned.
• Issues electric and manual breast pumps per NH Breast Pump Distribution policy. Performs pump follow up, tracking and documentation of participant follow up per protocol.
• Attends required Agency meetings with supervisor and other peers, WIC BFPC monthly staff meetings, as scheduled, and required in person clinic days.
• Attends state sponsored breastfeeding peer counseling meetings, special conferences or in-services on breastfeeding to increase knowledge and skills.
• Completes required WIC Breastfeeding Training Curriculum, WIC Works Breastfeeding Promotion module, Peer Counselor Competency Checklist, other Agency required training and any required updates.
• Reads breastfeeding books, educational materials, and self-study modules as recommended by the local or state agency breastfeeding coordinator.

• Be committed to the Agency's Mission, Vision, and Values.
• Express courtesy and willingness to assist others while providing positive, prompt, and quality assistance to all CAPBM stakeholders.
• Maintain adequate knowledge of all CAPBM programs to make referrals to other CAPBM programs beneficial to the participant.
• Maintain professional boundaries with all current, past, and prospective clients, and maintain the confidentiality of clients and staff per CAPBM policy and procedure. Adhere strictly to the confidentiality of clients, co-workers, and internal business information.
• Present a professional and positive image as a representative of CAPBM.
• Follow established policies and procedures and comply with all safety requirements.
• Communicate proactively with the supervisor regarding workflow, problems, suggestions, etc.
• Contribute to a positive, team-oriented work environment; and attend team and staff meetings as scheduled.
• Be punctual for scheduled work, use time appropriately, and complete work in a timely fashion with minimal errors.

• Minimum Qualifications:
  • Experience: Six months of related experience.
  • Currently or has been a successful breastfeeding mother that has participated in the WIC program.
  • Ability to be sensitive to the cultural diversity of WIC participants.
  • Ability to provide peer counseling activities in a courteous, professional, and non-judgmental manner.
  • Ability to work independently outside of the WIC clinic setting.
  • Ability to use computer and office software applications.
• Education: High school diploma or equivalency credential required.
• License/Certification: Successful completion of criminal record check. Valid driver's license with access to reliable transportation for required travel.