Hawkeye Area Community Action Program, Inc. (HACAP) is a diverse, community-focused nonprofit dedicated to empowering and improving the lives of families living with the everyday barriers of poverty.

 

What we are proud to offer you:

  • Retirement Savings (IPERS and/or 403(b))
  • Employee Assistance Program

POSITION GOAL

 

Under the supervision of the Alliance Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Coordinator, conducts all aspects of the Loving Support Peer Counseling Program and process of assessing normal breastfeeding concerns and challenges associated with the WIC, Child Health and Maternal Health Programs in full compliance with federal, state and local regulations to provide breastfeeding supportive services to target women in the community. 

 

 RESPONSIBILITIES

  1. Counseling pregnant and breastfeeding WIC and Maternal Health mothers at scheduled intervals determined by the local WIC agency.
  2. Making established periodic contacts with all assigned clients.
  3. Providing basic breastfeeding information, support and encouragement to new mothers including the benefits of breastfeeding, overcoming common barriers, and getting a good start with breastfeeding.
  4. Educating mothers on how to prevent and manage common breastfeeding concerns.
  5. Referring mothers to the WIC Lactation Consultant and other lactation services in the community according to agency protocols.
  6. Attending and assisting with prenatal breastfeeding classes and breastfeeding support groups for WIC participants.
  7. Assisting WIC staff in promoting the breastfeeding peer counseling program through special projects, outreach activities, and duties as assigned.
  8. Attend and participate in regular WIC staff meetings, state breastfeeding conferences, and programs that serve to enhance training and skills.
  9. Work with the Breastfeeding Peer Counselor to evaluate individual and program needs.
  10. Maintain accurate records of all contacts made with assigned mothers using the WIC electronic data system, and completing and submitting activity reports as required by the local WIC agency.

 

EXPECTATIONS

 

  1. Support the organization's mission, vision, values, policy, and procedure by exhibiting the following behaviors: excellence and competence, collaboration, innovation, respect personalization, commitment to our community, and accountability and ownership.

 

  1. Consistently work in a positive and cooperative manner with fellow Team Members.

 

  1. Consistently demonstrate an ability to respond to changing situations in a flexible manner in order to meet current needs, such as reprioritizing work as necessary.

 

  1. Consistently come to work on time, working as scheduled, and leaving at the scheduled time.

 

  1. Maintain appropriate attire and good grooming habits to support HACAP’s desire for safe and efficient operations, providing greater service and better customer relations.

 

  1. Ensure confidentiality of any information concerning an employee, client, family, financial condition or personal peculiarities is strictly maintained.

 

  1. Ensure that personal health information is protected during its collection, use, disclosure, storage and destruction within HACAP as required by HIPAA.

 

 

QUALIFICATIONS

 

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

 

A breastfeeding peer counselor must currently be a WIC participant or must have been a WIC participant in the past and must have successfully breastfed at least one baby for a minimum of four months.  She must have a telephone and be willing to make contacts from home.  Breastfeeding peer counselors must also be available outside the usual clinic operating hours to mothers who are breastfeeding. 

 

DESIRED EXPERIENCE

 

 The following experiences and skills are desirable:

 

  1. Enthusiasm about breastfeeding and desires to help other mothers enjoy a positive breastfeeding experience.
  2. Good communications skills.
  3. Basic computer skills.
  4. Demographic similarities with the WIC participants served by the local agency such as age, ethnicity, and language.
  5. Reliable transportation

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

 

This position may require lifting up to 50 pounds.

  

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

 

Travel to outlying clinic sites may be required.  Travel may be required to participate in continuing training events. 

 

SUPERVISION

 

The breastfeeding peer counselor is responsible to the Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Coordinator of the local employing agency.

 

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

 

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

 

  1. Must be able to communicate and work effectively with a diverse population of low-income individuals with possible language/cultural barriers.
  2. Have a valid driver's license
  3. Complete Blood borne Pathogen training within 30 days of employment and updated annually.
  4. Completion of required breastfeeding peer counseling training
  5. Annual TB testing
  6. Willing to work flexible hours including early evenings and some weekends
Equal Opportunity Employer, including disabled and veterans.
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