Breastfeeding Peer Counselor (Emerald Plaza)

Position Description

Harris County Public Health has earned the 2023 Best Place for Working Parents Business Designation.

About Harris County Public Health:

Harris County Public Health (HCPH) includes a network of more than 700 public health professionals working together to improve health outcomes for the third most populous county in the United States. HCPH provides a multitude of services such as medical and dental services, community programming, and health education for the approximately 2.3 million people in unincorporated Harris County. Through its core values of innovation, engagement, and health equity, HCPH strives to bring meaningful solutions to public health issues while keeping Harris County healthy and vibrant.

• This is a Grant Funded position. ***
  
  
  

The WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor is a paraprofessional support person who promotes breastfeeding as the optimal method of infant feeding among WIC participants, both individually and in group settings. The Breastfeeding Peer Counselor may be expected to work outside of the WIC Clinic environment, including making home or hospital visits to WIC clients. The Breastfeeding Peer Counselor may assist the Lactation Consultant and other WIC staff as assigned by Site Supervisor or Breastfeeding Promotion Coordinator.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Provides information and actively promotes breastfeeding to WIC participants and to the community and gives counseling to WIC participants individually to identify barriers and optimize their breastfeeding success by assessing, evaluating, addressing and following-up on WIC client breastfeeding issues effectively
• Makes telephone follow ups with WIC breastfeeding participants to support breastfeeding and identify clients needing more advanced care. This assignment also includes answering the Breastfeeding After-hours Helpline during non-traditional work hours and making appropriate referrals to the Lactation Consultant within program guidelines. And may include being assigned to deliver breast pumps to WIC participants in the hospital or at home.
• Attends initial and on-going breastfeeding training provided by WIC Program staff
• Conducts WIC Nutrition Education classes about the benefits of breastfeeding.
• Completes required reports on breastfeeding promotion activities and submits to Breastfeeding Promotions Coordinator by deadline.
• Maintains stock of breastfeeding supplies, educational materials, and breast pumps and/or other equipment according to sanitation guidelines, equipment directions and local policies.
  
  
  

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx

If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net

Requirements

Education:

• High school diploma or G.E.D
  
  
  

Experience:

• Current or previous WIC participant
• Successfully breastfed at least one baby
  
  
  

Licensure:

• Valid Texas Driver’s License
  
  
  

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Proficient in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Enthusiastic about breastfeeding and have a desire to share that enthusiasm with others.
• Self-motivated and ability to work independently
  
  
  

Core Competencies:

Organizational Leadership

• Understands the organizational mission
• Understands ethics and public good; is concerned with public trust
• Demonstrates respect for the opinions and beliefs of others
  
  
  

Collaboration

• Contributes to an inclusive workplace where equity, diversity, inclusion, and individual differences are valued and leveraged to achieve the vision and mission
• Demonstrates a sense of responsibility for the success of the group
• Collaborates with others to improve quality and address needs
  
  
  

Innovation

• Ability to adapt to change
  
  
  

Interpersonal Abilities/Personal Characteristics

• Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect
• Behaves in an honest, fair, and ethical manner.
• Assesses and recognizes own strengths and weaknesses
• Uses sound judgment
• Self-motivated
• Organizes and maintains work environment to allow for maximum productivity
  
  
  

Communication

• Communicates clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing
  
  
  

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.

Preferences

Language:

• Bilingual in English and Spanish
  
  
  

General Information

Position Type, and Typical Hours of Work:

• Full-Time
• Monday – Friday | 8 am – 5:30 pm
• one (1) Saturday per month
• Must be willing to flex hours when required, including weekends.
• Able to travel within Harris County as needed.
  
  
  

Work Environment:

• This job operates in a professional clinic environment.
• This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.
  
  
  

Physical Demands:

• This role requires moderate physical effort with a high level of movement throughout the facility
• Some duties would require the ability to lift up to twenty (20) pounds and bending & standing for long periods at a time.
  
  
  

Work Location:

• 11509 Veterans Memorial Dr Ste 400 Houston, TX 77067
  
  
  

Employment is contingent upon passing a background check and drug screen.

Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.