WNA/Breastfeeding Peer Counselor

Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties has a full-time opportunity for a WNA/Breast-Feeding Peer Counselor in Santa Ana, CA.

The WNA/ Breastfeeding Peer Counselor is responsible for supporting all functions in the delivery of WIC nutritional services as a Nutrition Assistant II along with breastfeeding support as a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor. The primary focus is to promote breastfeeding and increase breastfeeding initiation, exclusivity and duration rates among WIC participants and serve as a resource of referrals for other health, social and community services.

At PPOSBC, we understand the importance of a well-rounded benefits program and are dedicated to providing you with unique benefits that meet the needs of you and your family. We are proud to offer a range of plans that help protect you in the case of illness or injury including:

• A competitive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and eligible dependents, life insurance, and long term disability. 
• Benefits coverage starts after one full month of employment!
• Generous vacation, sick, and holiday benefits!
• Generous 401(k) matching contributions and more!
• To view our detailed benefits guide, please visit our career site at www.pposbccareers.org

Responsibilities

Essential Functions: Essential functions encompass the required tasks, duties and responsibilities performed as part of the job and the reason the job exists.

• Develop and maintain proficiency in all databases used in the BPC Program including WICWISE and PCDB. 
• Assist in the training of peer counselors.
• Provide clinical oversight for peer counselors ensuring they are providing lactation information that is evidence-based and are working within the scope of their responsibilities.
• Monitor BPC contacts including phone, e-mail, text, in-person and group.  Also monitor BPC documentation in PC database.  Level of monitoring adjusted to skill level of peer counselor. 
• Be available during each peer counseling group session to answer any questions from PCs and participants.
• Accept referrals from peer counselors requiring IBCLC support. 
• Provide technical expertise to all WIC mothers in a timely manner, including high-risk pump participants.
• Communicate directly with local health care providers regarding high risk cases
• Develop a breastfeeding topic each month for peer counseling group meetings.
• Hold regular meetings (minimum 1X/month) with peer counselors to discuss and demonstrate breastfeeding topic of the month, other breastfeeding education, and other counseling issues.
• Use standard form to audit Peer Counselor’s counseling at WIC sites and over the phone at least quarterly and provide feedback/guidance based on results.
• Assist in completing State required quarterly and annual reports by the designated deadlines.
• Attend WIC staff meetings and complete WIC-required trainings. 
• Provide breastfeeding technical training to WIC staff at monthly WIC meetings as requested.
• Participate in breastfeeding outreach activities (including World Breastfeeding Month Activities every August) and serve as a breastfeeding advocate promoting WIC as a breastfeeding friendly community. 
• Promote Peer Counseling Program within WIC, Orange County and the greater community.
• Perform other duties as requested by Supervisor/Program Manager.

Non-Essential Functions:

• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to relate to diverse comm
• Ability to work independently and as a team member
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Strong organizational
• Accuracy and attention to detail
• Ability to read and implement written
• Possess a warm, caring manner
• Professional appearance and attitude

Licensure and/or Certification Requirements:

• WNA Certificate.

Minimum Education:

• Highschool Diploma
• AA degree with nutrition classes or equivalent experience as a WIC Nutrition Aide preferred.

Minimum Work Experience:

• Previous experience working with WIC program highly
• Enthusiastic about breastfeeding
• Knowledge of WIC program
• Knowledge and experience in lactation training and mentoring

Language Requirements/Preference:

• Bilingual required. Depending on WIC clinic needs, must be fluent in English and Spanish.