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: www.vdh.virginia.gov
Recruitment Type:
Job Duties
The Richmond City Health District is currently seeking a part-time wage (maximum 1,500 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 Virginia’s 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 1,500 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 1,500 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 Service’s 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: www.vdh.virginia.gov.
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: 804-461-7605
Email: Vontrell.Hodges@vdh.virginia.gov
In support of the Commonwealth’s 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 800-552-5019.
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.