POSITION DESCRIPTION

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I. POSITION IDENTIFICATION

Work Unit:    Health  Department Team

Supervisor:    Health Department Director

Current Classification:

Pay Grade:     Scale 5 Salary ($12.70 to $ 19.05)        Title: WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor                                                                            

Non-Exempt

Part-Time  .15 FTE working 6 hours a week
(possibility of adding more hours depending on grant funding)

THIS IS A GRANT FUNDED POSTION FOR FY 20 AND FY 21

POSSIBLY COULD CONTINUE IF PROVEN SUCCESSFUL.

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II. ASSIGNED DUTIES AND TASKS

Position overview:  The County Health Department is governed by the County Board of Health pursuant to Title 50, Chapter 2, Part 1, MCA and is committed to identifying, assessing, preventing, and improving conditions of public health importance for Park County.

This position is part of Health Department’s Community based outreach programs. The position completes outreach duties related to the breastfeeding peer counselor program. This includes promotion, education and troubleshooting early issues of clients in the WIC program. Referrals may be made for additional services through many collaborative agencies. The position may be required to work evenings or weekends, dependent on client needs.

All duties below are essential functions unless otherwise indicated. Duties of the position are not all inclusive and subject to change

1. Program Duties:

1. Counsels pregnant and breastfeeding WIC participants at the WIC clinic, by telephone, home visits, and/or hospital visits.

1. Educate clients about basic breastfeeding information and support new mothers regarding the benefits of breastfeeding, overcoming common barriers, and getting a good start with breastfeeding. May also help mothers prevent and handle common breastfeeding issues and/or concerns.

1. Provides information and support for women in managing common maternal and infant breastfeeding issues that may arise.

1. To effectively manage a caseload of WIC participants and make routine periodic contact with clients.

1. Respects each client by keeping information confidential.

1. Refers mothers, according to clinic-established protocols, to the:
   1. State Nutritionist
   2. Lactation Consultant, the mother’s physician or nurse
   3. Public health programs in the community and social service agency

1. Attends and assists with prenatal classes and breastfeeding support groups. Attends monthly staff meetings and breastfeeding conferences and/or workshops as appropriate.

1. May assist WIC staff in promoting breastfeeding peer counseling through special projects and duties along with other health related education based programs.

1. Attends breastfeeding training classes to become a peer counselor.

1. Keeps accurate records of all contacts made with WIC participants in the participant’s electronic folder.

1. Is available outside WIC clinic operating hours for new mothers who are having breastfeeding problems.

        B.   OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED

            Performs a variety of other duties as assigned by supervisors. This includes participating 

in special projects, participating in ongoing training and a variety of other functions as needed.

III. KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

The job requires a firm understanding of breastfeeding and the benefits to newborn babies. 

Personal experience/knowledge of breastfeeding at least one baby - do not need to be currently breastfeeding. The position must enthusiastically help other mothers enjoy a positive experience.  Have the demonstrated expertise in breastfeeding counseling and management through previous experience as a breastfeeding peer counselor or through additional lactation training and experience.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills especially with telephone communications will be utilized daily.  Solid computer skills are necessary for documentation with attention to detail and confidentiality. The skill to follow supervisory direction and being comfortable referring clients for other great resources we have in Park County.

The ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with clients, other professionals and staff that helps make the program successful.  The successful person needs good interpersonal skills as well and effective time management.

Education and Experience

Education and experience equivalencies include graduation from high school, GED or HiSET with 1-2 years of related job experience. Have breastfed at least one baby. Must have the ability to efficiently utilize Word, Excel, email, and operate standard office equipment including fax, copier and county cell phone. Experience counseling on breastfeeding or lactation training is preferred.

Licenses, certifications, etc.  Must possess a valid Montana driver’s license. To complete the WIC “Loving Support” training once hired.  To completed MSpirit and WIC new employee training upon hire. Participate in continuing education about breastfeeding annually. 

IV. ACCOUNTABILITY

This position is accountable for providing services to the WIC program participants of Park County. To follow the grant guidelines and produce the deliverables identified therein. These services are part of the comprehensive efforts to improve health status in the community.

V. CONFIDENTIALITY

The position requires handling non-public confidential information.  The person in the position acknowledges the confidential nature of non-public information regarding clients.  Consistent with applicable policy and guidelines, this position will respect and safeguard the privacy of clients and the confidential nature of information in accordance with Montana state law, without limiting the general nature of this commitment. The person in the position hereby acknowledges that the person understands that in this context, confidential information is considered all non-public information that can be personally associated with an individual. 

If in the course of executing job responsibilities, the person in the position accidentally accesses information that others might consider inappropriate for this position to access, the person in the position will notify the person’s supervisors of the date and time of the access.  If a question arises later, it will be understood that the access was accidental.  The person in the position will not disseminate any such information.

By signing this Position Description, the undersigned hereby acknowledges reading and understanding this section regarding confidentiality and agrees to abide by the terms and conditions set forth herein.  Violation of confidentiality may warrant disciplinary action, up to and including, suspension, demotion or termination of employment.

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VI. INDEPENDENCE OF ACTION

This position plans and carries out daily assignments supporting the WIC participants of Park County.  The daily work requires discipline of time management and successfully meeting the deliverables of the grant.  The position needs honed interpersonal skills to motivate and inspire participants and uses judgment and initiative to solve issues. Work objectives and priorities are defined by the Health Department Director.

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VII. PERSONAL CONTACTS

This position has contacts with the public, other county personnel, elected officials, department heads, and community services representatives in order to be responsive to questions and inquiries regarding the Public Health Breastfeeding program fort Park County.

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VIII. WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL DEMANDS

           The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

           The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Carry supplies needed to perform outreach up to 25 pounds.

           The functions of this position require flexibility and willingness to travel to meetings throughout Park County.

Work typically occurs in a normal office environment and at various locations throughout the county. However, the incumbent may work with families with poor or minimal hygiene involving exposure to the threat of disease. The incumbent must observe universal precautions to minimize risk of infection, and may be required to work some evenings or weekends.

Intermittent periods of standing, sitting, walking. Required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

If the employee deems the home to be unsafe, the client visits will be scheduled at an alternate location.