Under general supervision, educates new mothers on breastfeeding techniques; provides instruction on use of breast pumps; provides support and encouragement to clients who are learning how to breast feed, and does related or other work as required in accordance with Rule 3, Section 3 of the Civil Service Rules.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This class is responsible for counseling and educating Public Health Women, Infants & Children (WIC) clients and new mothers at San Joaquin General Hospital regarding breastfeeding. General supervision is received from the department Program Coordinator and/or other managerial/supervisory staff. Breastfeeding Counselor is distinguished from Lactation Specialist as the latter requires certification as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, performing the more difficult client consultation, and provides lead direction to Breastfeeding Counselors.
TYPICAL DUTIES
Contacts assigned clients to provide encouragement and support to new mothers; educates and counsels clients on breastfeeding techniques, common problems, and methods.
Assigns and distributes manual and electric breast pumps to clients; maintains cleaning and sanitation records of all breast pumps; refers clients to lactation consultants, healthcare professionals, or other community support service agencies as necessary.
Facilitates prenatal and/or postpartum breastfeeding support groups; maintains contact with assigned clients; provides basic information and materials on breastfeeding.
Maintains clients’ records; documents relevant communication in clients’ records.
Provides follow up and communicates with clients through emails, text messaging, video and telephone calls or mailings.
May attend monthly meetings related to the WIC program, Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program or San Joaquin County Breastfeeding Coalition.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Experience: Six months of experience breastfeeding an infant.
KNOWLEDGE
Breast feeding benefits; basic breast feeding problems and solutions; basic record keeping systems; basic computer data-entry; and effective communication skills.
ABILITY
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, clients and the general public; communicate clearly both orally and in writing; understand and follow oral and written instructions; maintain accurate records; and exercise patience and tact while interacting with staff, clients and the general public.
PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS
Mobility- Frequent sitting for long periods of time; occasional standing for long periods of time. Frequency of Lifting-Occasional lifting of 5 to 30 lbs. Visual Requirements- Constant need for overall vision and close up work; frequent need for hand/eye coordination; occasional use of color perception, depth perception and field of vision/peripheral vision. Dexterity- Frequent holding, repetitive motion and writing; occasional reaching and grasping. Hearing/Talking- Constant hearing of normal speech, hearing on the telephone/radio and talking on the telephone; frequent hearing of faint sounds and talking in person. Emotional/Psychological Factors- Constant public contact; frequent decision making, concentration, working alone and working weekends/nights; occasional overtime/travel, exposure to emergency situations, trauma, grief and death. Special Requirements – may work different shifts, weekends, holidays and extended schedules due to emergencies; Environmental Conditions – frequent exposure to noise and varied weather conditions.
San Joaquin County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
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