Public Health Educator I
The primary responsibility of this position is to be actively involved with the management and implementation of breastfeeding promotion and support activities within the agency and is responsible for following the breastfeeding program management policies and procedures outlined in the North Carolina WIC Program Manual. This position also manages the implementation and supervision of the Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program and serves as the designated lactation professional to whom the breastfeeding peer counselor refers high risk conditions. This position provides basic breastfeeding education to maternal patients both in the clinic and via phone in an effort to eliminate breastfeeding barriers and to assist mothers in making informed decisions about their infant feeding choice. Maintains a system which insures the follow-up and continuous care for mothers and infants to assist them with breastfeeding initiation, duration, and exclusivity. Serves as team member in observing, assessing, planning, performing specific care, and evaluating participants’ care and individual feeding plans based on assessments and assumes initial responsibility for counseling clients in guiding her to provide optimum nutrition to her baby.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Considerable knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures of normal and therapeutic breastfeeding counseling. Considerable knowledge and skill in breastfeeding assessment techniques and interpretation of data. Knowledge of interrelationships between health and social service programs, and appropriate community resources for referral of clients. Knowledge of human behavior and techniques for effecting behavior change. Skill in writing clear, concise entries using the protocol for progress notes in clients’ health/medical records as entered into Crossroads EMR program. Ability to review and provide counseling in a way to motivate clients to make changes. Ability to understand an individual’s social economic status and life-styles with respect for individual differences. Ability to monitor and maintain quality standards of breastfeeding care using current standards of practice. Ability to organize and manage time and resources.
MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Graduation from a four-year college or university with a major in health education; or graduation from a four-year college or university and completion of one year of on-the-job training as a public health educator. Management prefers completion of the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners exam eligibility requirements including Health Science Education, Lactation Specific Clinical Experience, and Lactation Specific Education; or graduation from a four-year college or university with one year experience providing lactation support and instruction or completion of a clinical breastfeeding internship.
SALARY GRADE: 10 ($35,448)
SELECTION PROCESS: Selection will be by structured interview. Applications will be reviewed to select the best qualified applicants for admission to the interview.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER