Peer Counselor

Do you want to make a difference with new parents and their bonding experiences with their newborn? Come be a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor , part time, 3 days a pay period (0.3 FTE, 24 hours per pay), in the Roscommon County branch office of the Central Michigan District Health Department to support WIC Breastfeeding parents for the agency. High School diploma or equivalent required. Familiarity with the WIC program and breastfeeding experience required.

General Summary :

Under the general direction of the Personal Health Services Division Director and supervision of the Personal Health Services Supervisor, the Breastfeeding Peer Counselor performs various outreach activities and contacts prospective program participants over the phone, by mail, or through office visits to educate clients on breastfeeding. Peer Counselors encourage clients to participate in the program, assist with scheduling of appointments, conduct follow-up calls, and provide education. Additionally, this position performs various clerical support tasks as part of program activities and maintains program documentation and database.

Essential Duties :

Ability to incorporate the Core Public Health Functions and Ten Essential Services of Public Health into the daily practice of the public health sciences. Obtains and completes appropriate patient forms, ensures patient confidentiality, and maintains orderly health records. Follows established medical records policies and procedures as well as the State and Federal laws that govern the release of health care information. Advocates on behalf of vulnerable individuals and populations to ensure that people are informed of available programs and services; assists in the utilization of those services. Establishes community-based partnerships to promote health of the population. Identifies resources to meet needs of the breastfeeding population. Incorporates ethical standards of practice into all interactions with organizations, communities, and individuals. Participates in continuous improvement of Departmental performance. Promotes self, team, and organizational learning. Participates in orientation, training, and mentoring of less experienced peer counselors as directed by supervisor. Gathers information relevant to specific to breastfeeding policy issues and describes how policy options can influence such issues. Plans day-to-day activities of an assigned program. Participates in program priorities for breastfeeding services using available resources and consulting supervision as needed. Utilizes appropriate methods for interacting effectively and professionally with persons of all ages and from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, educational, racial, and ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, lifestyles, and physical abilities. Adheres to ethical principles and Department policy in the collection, maintenance, use, and dissemination of data and information. Demonstrates the ability to listen to others in an unbiased manner, respects others' points of view, and promotes the expression of diverse opinions and perspectives. Performs public health emergency response duties as assigned and consistent with job classification and training provided, in response to threats to the public's health. Participates in Department and community emergency response training and drills consistent with job classification in support of public health emergency and disaster preparedness. Performs other duties as assigned consistent with job classification. Maintains client and activity records, examination results, and related documentation for professional accountability. Performs a variety of clerical duties such as typing, data entry, filing, etc. in support of various program activities.

Other Duties & Responsibilities :

Performs other duties and responsibilities as necessary or in response to emergencies, workload, or staffing shortages. Works flexible hours as needed. Participates in Agency's Emergency Preparedness Incident Command System (ICS) as assigned. Maintains up-to-date vaccines, including flu (influenza), in accordance with CDC guidelines: Recommended Vaccines for Healthcare Workers , in which you allow CMDHD to access your current immunization status based on Michigan Improvement Care Registry (MCIR).

Minimum Qualifications :

Graduation from high school or its equivalent in terms of education, training, and experience. Has breastfed at least one infant. Is familiar with WIC; current or previous WIC client preferred. Valid Michigan driver's license, current certificate of vehicle insurance, and access to reliable transportation to all assigned work locations. Is enthusiastic about breastfeeding and wants to help other mothers. Must attend Loving Support or Breastfeeding Basics Training prior to working with clients. Reads assigned books or materials about breastfeeding. Completes orientation to the WIC Program. Attends on-going breastfeeding training. Knowledge of the core functions and essential services of public health. Knowledge of equipment, supplies and materials needed for breastfeeding support and education. Knowledge of chart documentation requirements, medical record forms, State and Federal laws that govern release of health care information, and patient consent. Knowledge of relevant OSHA and CLIA standards. Must have a home telephone number (after hours call may be necessary for public health emergencies). Knowledge of health care systems structure and function; ability to make appropriate client referrals based upon patient need, program guidelines and community resources. Demonstrates ability to maintain working relationships with diverse populations and cultures. Demonstrates communication skills (oral and written). Use of institutional cleaning products and disinfectants may be required. May be exposed to hazardous materials or dangerous conditions found in a home or field environment. In times of emergency, quarantine, or another crisis, staff may be required to stay at the branch office for an extended period. In times of a public health emergency, may be required to report for specialized assigned duties inside or outside of the counties of the Central Michigan District Health Department. Must have ability to develop computer skills to manage implemented agency documentation systems.

Core Competencies :

Professional Public Health Core Competencies required: Domain 1: Data Analytics and Assessment Skills 1.1. Describes factors that affect the health of a community 1.2. Accesses existing quantitative and qualitative data 1.3. Collects quantitative and qualitative data 1.5. Manages quantitative and qualitative data Domain 2: Policy Development/Program Planning 2.2. Implements policies, programs, and services. 2.6. Engages in organizational strategic planning Domain 3: Communication 3.1. Determines communication strategies 3.2. Communicates with internal and external audiences. 3.3. Responds to information, misinformation, and disinformation 3.4. Facilitates communication among individuals, groups, and organizations. Domain 4: Health Equity Skills 4.1. Applies principles of ethics, diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice 4.2. Engages in continuous self-reflection about one's biases. 4.3. Recognizes the diversity of individuals and populations. 4.6. Contributes to achieving and sustaining a diverse, inclusive, and competent public health workforce. 4.7. Advocates for health equity and social and environmental justice Domain 5: Community Partnership Skills 5.2. Establishes relationships to improve community health and resilience 5.3. Maintains relationships that improve community health and resilience 5.4. Collaborates with community members and organizations. Domain 6: Public Health Sciences Skills 6.1. Describes systems, policies, and events impacting public health 6.2. Applies public health sciences in delivering the 10 Essential Public Health Services Domain 7: Management and Finance Skills 7.4. Engages in professional development. 7.10. Applies critical thinking in decision making. 7.11. Engages individuals and teams to achieve program and organizational goals. Domain 8: Leadership and Systems Thinking Skills 8.1. Creates opportunities to achieve cross-sector alignment. 8.3. Addresses facilitators and barriers impacting delivery of the 10 Essential Public Health Services. 8.4. Creates opportunities for creativity and innovation. 8.5. Responds to emerging needs. 8.8. Advocates for public health.

Demonstrates Core Values:

integrity, positive attitude, communications, customer service, responsibility, and accountability

Environment & Effort :

Must be able to be fitted and wear a

NIOSH 95

mask or other OSHA approved mask.

Engage in the following movements:

Climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, writing, and repetitive motions. Exposure Control - Category A. At higher risk for occupational percutaneous or mucosal exposure to blood or body fluids. Per OSHA's Blood borne Pathogens standard requirements, CMDHD protects the employee by an established exposure control plan which includes but is not limited to use of universal precautions, engineering controls, work practice controls, personal protective equipment, and worker training. Exert up to 30 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Hearing ability sufficient to communicate with others effectively in person and over the phone. Visual ability must be sufficient to read typewritten documents, computer screen and drive a car.