WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor/Interviewer

Transylvania County Public Health is looking for a WIC (Women, Infant, and Children) Breastfeeding Peer Counselor/Interviewer to work with our team. The primary purpose of the WIC Program is the promotion of good dietary habits through nutrition education & supplemental foods tailored to the individual’s needs. The population at risk includes pregnant women, breastfeeding & postpartum women, and children to age five. Referrals are made to other health department programs as well as to programs, agencies, and physicians within the community for necessary services. The purpose of this position is to serve as a peer counselor for pregnant women and new mothers. The position provides promotion, education, and support for breastfeeding, serves as a second Interviewer for the WIC clinic, and obtains anthropometric & biochemical data on participants in the WIC program. The position also serves as the primary point of WIC outreach into the community.

• Breastfeeding promotion, education, and support for WIC participants enrolled in the program.
• Teach breastfeeding techniques via personal & telephone contact.
• Assess breastfeeding dyads & make referrals to Breastfeeding Coordinator as necessary.
• Document contacts in Crossroads as required by WIC Program Manual. 
• Attend BFPC Quarterly Meetings 
• Participate in BF continuing education annually.
• Interview and screen applicants for income eligibility.
• Refer participants to other community providers when appropriate.
• Provide WIC transfer information to participants moving out of the service area.
• Provide general information about the WIC program.
• Work with other agency staff to assist participants.
• Distribute outreach materials for the WIC Program
• Performs fingerstick HGB testing for women and children.
• Measures height and weight for women, infants and children.
• Record keeping for WIC participants. 

• Basic knowledge of secretarial skills such as typing, filing, and proper use of the telephone. 
• Ability to understand and remember numerous detailed program regulations. 
• Ability to work independently. 
• Ability to handle interruptions & prioritize several situations simultaneously. 
• Flexibility and willingness to update knowledge of policy change is necessary.

Physical Demands
The employee may sit for long periods of time.  There may be occasional lifting of large boxes with WIC supplies and educational materials.  Infants & children may need to be lifted in order to obtain their weights, lengths, or heights.  Some children will be difficult to manage during the process of obtaining fingerstick HGB.

Work Environment
Indoor office with a temperature-controlled environment. The office is frequently noisy due to children talking or crying.  There may be unpleasant odors due to small children in soiled diapers.

Minimum Education and Experience:
Graduation from high school and demonstrated possession of knowledge, skills, and abilities or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Work related to government or medical offices. Additional computer training and experience with database programs useful. Must have breastfed a child for a minimum of six (6) weeks.
 
Required Licenses or Certifications:

• Driver's License valid in the State of North Carolina
• Must complete the Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Core Training and the Breastfeeding Supplies Competency Training for Peer Counselors (both courses are offered by the state) within one (1) year of employment.

Additional Requirements

• Clean pre-employment drug screen
• Clean basic background check and SBI background check