WNA Peer Counselor (Los Angeles and Orange County Areas) - Public Health Foundation Enterprises, In

Application Deadline: Tuesday, October 15, 2024, by 5:00 pm.

Applicants must submit a resume to be considered.

Location: Los Angeles County and Orange County Areas.

Language requirement: English and Spanish speaking or English and Vietnamese speaking. 

Salary range: $20.91-$26.65/hour depending on experience and qualifications. 

If qualified, you will be invited to attend a mandatory Job Preview. 

Interviews will be in person at the Main Office the week October 28, 2024.

SUMMARY 

PHFE WIC, a program of Heluna Health, employs staff who assist with providing healthy food, nutrition education, breastfeeding support and family resources to women, infants and children in the Los Angeles and Orange County areas.  Under the guidance of Federal, State, Heluna Health and Public Health Foundation Enterprises WIC (PHFE WIC) policies, this role supports WIC Center operations.

The WNA Peer Counselor provides breastfeeding support and peer counseling to WIC participants to promote and encourage successful breastfeeding experiences. This role involves offering personalized guidance, education, and support through individual and group sessions, phone consultations, and home visits when needed. The Peer Counselor manages a specific caseload, performs essential data management tasks in WIC WISE, and participates in outreach and training activities. The position exists to improve breastfeeding rates and support maternal and child health within the WIC program, directly impacting participant satisfaction and program success.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Build and Maintain Relationships: Establish connections with pregnant participants who plan to breastfeed, determining their interest in peer counselor support. This involves regular communication to build trust and provide consistent support throughout their breastfeeding journey, creating a personalized caseload to monitor and assist. This role directly impacts participants' breastfeeding success rates and overall program satisfaction.
• Provide Breastfeeding Counseling and Support: Deliver individual and group counseling sessions to participants on your caseload through phone calls, in-person meetings, and group education sessions during pregnancy, near delivery, and postpartum. This task aims to address breastfeeding concerns, provide ongoing encouragement, and promote best practices. Document all interactions in the peer counselor database to ensure accurate tracking and follow-up. Effective counseling directly influences participants' breastfeeding outcomes and supports program goals.
• Assess and Refer for Specialized Support: Evaluate the need for additional breastfeeding consultations or home visits based on individual participant circumstances, providing targeted support where necessary. When encountering specialized or complex breastfeeding issues, refer participants to the Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Supervisor or International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) for further assistance. This responsibility ensures that participants receive the appropriate level of care, contributing to improved breastfeeding rates and participant satisfaction.
• Manage WIC WISE Functions: Perform data entry and management tasks for your caseload and other assigned WIC participants using the WIC Web Information System Exchange (WIC WISE). This includes certifying eligible clients, updating records, and ensuring data accuracy. Proper management of WIC WISE functions directly affects the efficiency of service delivery and compliance with program requirements.
• Participate in Training and Continuous Learning: Attend all required peer counselor program training sessions, monthly meetings, and WIC-sponsored seminars. Apply new knowledge and skills in the WIC setting to improve job performance and participant support. This continuous learning process ensures that the peer counselor remains up to date with the latest breastfeeding guidelines and program changes, enhancing the quality of service provided.
• Support Special Projects and Outreach Activities: Engage in WIC outreach initiatives and special projects to promote breastfeeding services within the community. This may involve participating in community events, distributing educational materials, and collaborating with other program staff. These activities expand the program's reach and support WIC's overall mission to promote maternal and child health.

JOB 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.

Education/Experience:

• High school diploma or GED
• Breastfed an infant
• 1 year customer service experience.

Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Proficient in English; bilingual preferred (English/Vietnamese, or English/Spanish); strong written and verbal communication skills; maintains confidentiality and follows program policies.
• Basic arithmetic.
• Proficient in MS Office (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and internal software applications.
• Ability to follow instructions, solve problems, and handle unexpected situations.
• Must have reliable transportation for job duties, access to a home phone, message phone, or pager.

PHYSICAL DEMAND

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 

• Stand                                     Frequently
• Walk                                       Frequently
• Sit                                           Frequently
• Handling / Fingering           Frequently
• Reach Outward                    Occasionally
• Reach Above Shoulder       Occasionally
• Climb, Crawl, Kneel, Bend  Occasionally
• Lift / Carry                              Occasionally - Up to 10 lbs.
• Push/Pull Occasionally -      Up to 10 lbs.
• See                                         Constantly
• Taste/ Smell                         Not Applicable

KEY

• Not Applicable Not required for essential functions
• Occasionally        (0 - 2 hrs./day)
• Frequently           (2 - 5 hrs./day)
• Constantly             (5+ hrs./da

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

• General office setting, indoors temperature controlled.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate

EEOC STATEMENT

It is the policy of Heluna Health to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)