Breastfeeding Peer Counselor - Charleston County Health Department & Mt. Pleasant HD- Hourly

Job Responsibilities

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Under supervision of the Breastfeeding Coordinator, promotes breastfeeding to pregnant women in the community, workplace, and health care system and provides support to breastfeeding mothers enrolled in the WIC Program.

Contacts WIC breastfeeding moms in hospital, through home visits, and/or by telephone within 1-7 days and 8-14 days after delivery to provide breastfeeding support.

Makes a contact by telephone or face-to-face with the breastfeeding mom once a week for the next 3 weeks after birth and at a minimum once a month thereafter as long as the mom is breastfeeding.

Refers breastfeeding moms/infants with complex breastfeeding situations to the breastfeeding coordinator or Designated Breastfeeding Expert.

Makes prenatal contacts at 27, 31, 35, 39, 40, and 41 weeks gestation. Uses breastfeeding promotion scripts as a guide.

Invites WIC mothers to breastfeeding classes and support groups. Teaches breastfeeding information. Provides basic WIC information, such as breast pump options or refers WIC questions to WIC nutritionist.

Keep accurate records of all contacts made with WIC mothers. Maintains strict confidentially of client information.

Other duties as assigned by Supervisor(s) and/or Breastfeeding Coordinator.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

State Minimum Requirements: A high school diploma or GED and relevant human services or social services experience.

Institutions of Higher Learning must be recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

Agency Additional Requirements: High school diploma or GED.

Breastfed at least one (1) baby. Is enthusiastic about breastfeeding. Recruited from the Target population.

Must successfully complete the WIC Breastfeeding Curriculum: Learn together. Grow Together.

Personal breastfeeding experience, enthusiastic about breastfeeding, and recruited from the target population within the community. Ability to work with mothers from diverse backgrounds.

Reliable and motivated. Ability to work as part of a team supporting breastfeeding women.

Have a valid SC Driver's License and reliable transportation. Must be available to WIC participants outside the usual working hours (8:00 AM - 5:00 PM). Must be able to travel across the Lowcountry Region to provide coverage as needed.

Applicants indicating college credit or degree(s) on the application may upload an unofficial copy of the transcript as an attachment to the application. Please note that the agency will require an official, certified copy of the transcript or diploma prior to hiring.

Additional Comments

Immunization: All new employees who are healthcare providers are required to provide documentation of immunity or be immunized against Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Pertussis, Varicella, and Hepatitis B prior to beginning employment.

State Disaster Plan: In accordance with the State's Disaster Plan, which includes hazardous weather, DHEC employees may be required to work in times of an emergency or disaster.

College Transcripts: Applicants indicating college credit or degree(s) on the application may upload an unofficial copy of the transcript as an attachment to the application. Please note that the agency will require an official, certified copy of the transcript or diploma prior to hiring.

Driving Record: If this position requires the applicant to possess a valid driver's license to operate a state vehicle or personal vehicle, any applicant being considered in the final stages of selection for the position will be required to provide a certified copy of a 10-year driving record.

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control offers an exceptional benefits package for temporary hourly positions that includes:

• Health, Dental, Vision, Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance for Primary Member, Spouse, and Children (must average at least 30 hours a week to be eligible)

• State Retirement Plan

• Deferred Compensation Programs

This position is part of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control's Lowcountry/Women, Infants, and Children Program. The work performed supports DHEC's mission to improve the quality of life for all South Carolinians by protecting and promoting the health of the public and the environment. Effective July 1, 2024, this position will transfer to the South Carolina Department of Public Health created by Senate Bill 399 which provides for the creation of the Department of Public Health to assume the public health-related functions of DHEC.

SC DHEC is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employing agency. We are committed to a diverse workforce. SC DHEC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.