Breastfeeding Peer Counselor

Title: Breastfeeding Peer Counselor

State Role Title:Direct Service Associate II

Hiring Range: $15 $18.61

Pay Band: 2

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location:RICHMOND-HQ

Agency Website:

Recruitment Type:

Job Duties

The Richmond City Health District is currently seeking a part-time wage (maximum 1500 hours per year) Breastfeeding Peer Counselor to provide breastfeeding promotion education services and support to a diverse population who participate in the WIC program. The Counselor will demonstrate and give instruction in the proper ways of holding a child during feeding explain changes in bodily functions the importance of a healthy diet and self-care and will answer specific questions about breastfeeding and its benefits in individual and group settings. Creates a breastfeeding friendly environment while promoting breastfeeding as the ideal infant feeding method to individuals and groups. Responsibilities include contacting new pregnant participants to provide anticipatory guidance and contacting postpartum clients to discuss breastfeeding progress and/or issues. Offers breastfeeding WIC participants continued education and support on maintaining a positive breastfeeding relationship with their infant throughout the first year. Screens and assists with electric breast pump loan arrangements according to WIC policies. Follows-up with families and makes appropriate referrals within the medical health system and to community resources. Participate in local regional or state breastfeeding calls and/or training monthly.

Will complete Virginias WIC Breastfeeding Curriculum Training and Training Program and Skills Checklist; meet a minimum of 4 hours of lactation management training annually to enhance knowledge of breastfeeding skills; Operate withing the BFPC scope of practice as defined in the WIC Breastfeeding Curriculum. The Counselor is a part of the nutrition services team and works closely with WIC staff. The Counselor will travel throughout the district as required/assigned. Flexible schedule in order to respond to participant requests by walk-in or phone or as needed.

Typical Duties:

Promote breastfeeding among WIC participants healthcare workers and the community
Attend local regional or state breastfeeding promotions and support training
Participate in multidisciplinary team case conferencing to develop and implement WIC participant service plans
Provide breastfeeding encouragement information and counsel to prenatal and breastfeeding participants
Conduct support group meetings and assist the nutritionist with individual and group sessions
Contact participants at predetermined intervals to provide counsel encouragement and information to maintain lactation
Identify problems or potential problems necessitating referral to the nutritionist or WIC Designated Breastfeeding Expert (DBE)
Recruit participants to attend nutrition education classes through various contact methods
Maintain logs of patient contacts and complete monthly activity reports and other health department forms as required
Plan and participate in community outreach events for WIC participants particularly during Breastfeeding Awareness Month
Create and maintain a breastfeeding-friendly environment
Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor


Wage employees are subject to the following conditions of employment:

Wage employees serve at the will and pleasure of the appointing authority.
Continuing employment is based on available funding and business need.
Wage employees are not covered by the provisions of the Virginia Personnel Act. Therefore they are not eligible for benefits which are provided to salaried employees such as leave credits holiday pay insurance access to the grievance procedure etc.
Wage employees are paid only for the hours they actually work.
Virginia state law currently requires that agencies not permit wage employees to work in excess of 29 hours per week on average over the course of a year. Wage employees may not work for VDH beyond 1500 hours during the period of May 1 April 30 of the following year (the Standard Measurement Period).
Once a wage employee works the maximum of 1500 hours during the Standard Measurement Period the employee may be rehired as a wage employee of VDH only after the next Standard Measurement Period has begun.
Wage employees are eligible to apply for all classified positions for which recruitment has been initiated including those limited to State Employees Only.
If a wage employee becomes employed in a classified position he/she will be eligible to purchase retirement credit for the time worked as a wage employee.
Continuing employment is based on available funding and business need.

Minimum Qualifications

Demonstrated working knowledge of basic breastfeeding management manual expression of breast milk and collection and storage of human milk
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing and interact well with a diverse population.
Demonstrated working knowledge of basic human lactation and breastfeeding practices
Ability to interview observe clients and elicit information.
Breastfed at least one baby for at least 6 months
Knowledge of English grammar punctuation and usage
Must have the ability to deal effectively with people in sensitive situations and to maintain confidentiality.

Additional Considerations

Instruct in a group and individual setting
Recognize problems related to breastfeeding and make appropriate referrals/interventions.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to Your Application in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

VDH accepts only on-line applications. Faxed mailed or e-mailed applications will not be considered. Applications are accepted until 11:55 p.m. on the job closing date. Applications and/or resumes should include relevant work history which indicates your qualifications for this position. Supplemental questions are encouraged to be answered in a comprehensive manner and reference any pertinent knowledge skills and abilities as well as any previous experience that relates to the position.

Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results of a state and federal criminal history background check and the Department of Social Services Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry check U.S. HHSIG Exclusion List check employment reference check and E-Verify. Other financial credit driving background checks or completion of Statement of Economic Interests may be required for certain positions.

It is the policy of the Commonwealth and VDH that all aspects of human resource management be conducted without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race including hair texture hair type and protective hairstyles such as braids locks and twists); sex; color; national origin; religion; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; age; veteran status; political affiliation; disability; genetic information; and pregnancy childbirth or related medical conditions. VDH employees have a shared Code of Ethics which can be found in the bottom banner of our website: .

If you have been affected by DHRM Policy 1.30 layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card) you must submit the card before the closing date for this position. The Card may be submitted with the state application as an attachment.
As a V3 (Virginia Values Veterans) employer VDH Welcomes Veterans to apply!

Contact Information

Name: Vontrell Hodges

Phone:

Email:

In support of the Commonwealths commitment to inclusion we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS) or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation if applicable to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at .

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1 2022- February 29 2024 can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.