Hybrid Breastfeeding Peer Counselor at DuPage County Health Department, IL

About the Department

The DuPage County Health Department is looking for someone to join our team as a Peer Mentor in an on-call role, working up to 19 hours per week.  As a Peer Mentor, you will be providing basic breastfeeding information and encouragement to breastfeeding mothers enrolled in the Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) Program at our Lombard location and in community settings.

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Position Duties

• Advises pregnant and breastfeeding mothers during WIC clinics. 
• Receives a caseload of clients and makes routine periodic contact by telephone, home visits, and/or hospital visits. 
• Talks with clients individually or in groups about feeding decisions and answers routine breastfeeding questions; provides guidance on initiation of breastfeeding, prevention of and relief of common problems, maintaining milk supply and weaning.
• Provides information on the effect of foods, medications, and home remedies on lactation within clinical guidelines.
• Keeps accurate records of client contacts; identifies breastfeeding situations which require assistance and makes appropriate referrals.
• Attends and assists with prenatal classes/breastfeeding support groups; assists with providing breast pumps.
• Attends staff meetings as needed.
• Maintains required training, licensure, and/or certification.
• Adheres to department guidelines for attendance and punctuality.
• Participates in emergency response activities as assigned.[RT1]
• Maintains confidentiality of privileged information and adheres to patient privacy laws.
• Demonstrates sensitivity and understanding of other ethnic groups and culture.
• May assist staff in promoting peer counseling through special projects as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Must have breastfed in the past 5 years; Be a woman of the community, with similar characteristics of WIC participants

Other Qualifications

Good knowledge of the principles and practices of breastfeeding; some knowledge of program requirements and eligibility; some knowledge of related community based resources available to clients.
 
Working skill in breastfeeding techniques; following verbal and written instructions; developing and maintaining positive and professional relationships with internal and external customers; some skill in written and verbal communication; and some skill in the operation of a personal computer, applicable software, and peripheral equipment. Bilingual, Spanish speaking preferred.