Peer Counselor-Level I "WIC GRANT FUNDED"

Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center is one of New York City's premier acute care hospitals. Located in Downtown Bronx, Lincoln is a teaching hospital renowned for its Centers of Excellence, and a recognized industry leader in the implementation of state-of-the art medical technology and best practices. Our team of highly trained and caring medical professionals is dedicated to providing the highest quality health care that is safe, compassionate, culturally competent and patient-centered. Comprehensive services are offered in three major primary care areas: Medicine, Pediatrics, and Women's Health in addition to more than eighty (80) specialty services. At Lincoln, the safety and comfort of our patients is our number one priority.

At NYC Health + Hospitals, our mission is to deliver high quality care health services, without exception. Every employee takes a person-centered approach that exemplifies the ICARE values (Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence) through empathic communication and partnerships between all persons.

Visit us at www.nyc.gov/html/hhc/lincoln.

Job Description

Purpose of Position:

Under the direct supervision of the Coordinating Manager or Breast-Feeding Coordinator, promotes breastfeeding via support and encouragement for pre-natal and breastfeeding women enrolled in the WIC Program, with some latitude for decision-making and problem-solving.

• Follows policies and procedures as outlined by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) WIC (Women, Infants and Children) Program, the New York State Department of Agriculture, and Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center.

• Conducts/assists with breastfeeding classes or group sessions and documents each participant encounter in New York Women, Infants and Children (NYWIC) electronic system

• Identifies moms who need referral to the WIC Breast Feeding Coordinator

• Maintains accurate records of contacts with moms via data entry in NYWIC

• Communicates well with moms, providing emotional support to encourage breastfeeding

• Demonstrates, via cloth model/doll, different breastfeeding positioning techniques for mom and baby, manual expression of milk, safe collection and storage of breast milk and increasing or decreasing milk supply

• Introduces the WIC Program and encourages new pre-natal women to consider exclusive breastfeeding in the Pre Natal-Clinic

• Performs preliminary bedside enrollment for postpartum WIC participants in the Postpartum Unit of the Hospital to prepare the moms for next day enrollment

• Acts as an advocate for breastfeeding in the community and performs outreach to other clinics in the hospital, as well as, the community

• Communicates with moms via telephone or on-site, as a follow-up service

• Performs these and other WIC-related duties, as assigned by the Coordinating Manager or Breast-Feeding Coordinator or designee

Minimum Qualifications

Assignment Level I:

For Assignments in Comprehensive Emergency Psychiatric Programs (CPEPs):
1. Certification, which must be maintained for the assignment's duration, as a
a. Peer Specialist (NYCPS) or Peer Specialist-Provisional (NYCPS-P) issued by the New York Peer Specialist Certification Board (NYPSCB); or
b. Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) or Recovery Peer Advocate-Provisional (CRPA-P) issued by the New York Certification Board (ASAP-NYCB); or
c. Credentialed Family Peer Advocate (FPA-C), Credentialed Family Peer Advocate Provisional (FPA-P), Credentialed Youth Peer Advocate (YPA-C), or Credentialed Youth Peer Advocate Provisional (YPA-P) issued by Families Together in New York State; and
2. Satisfactory and documented completion of a formalized Peer Advocate/Counselor/Specialist Training Program or one (1) year of full-time satisfactory experience working with consumers of CPEP services as a peer counselor/specialist, peer advocate or in related human services.
For Substance Use Assignments:
1. Certification, which must be maintained for the assignment's duration, as a Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) or Recovery Peer Advocate-Provisional (CRPA-P) issued by the New York Certification Board (ASAP-NYCB); and
2. Satisfactory and documented completion of a formalized Peer Advocate/Counselor/Specialist Training Program or one (1) year of full-time satisfactory experience working with consumers of substance use disorder services as a peer counselor/specialist, peer advocate or in related human services.
For All Other Mental Health Assignments:
3. Certification, which must be maintained for the assignment's duration, as a Peer Specialist (NYCPS) or Peer Specialist-Provisional (NYCPS-P) issued by the New York Peer Specialist Certification Board (NYPSCB); and
4. Satisfactory and documented completion of a formalized Peer Advocate/Counselor/Specialist Training Program or one (1) year of full-time satisfactory experience working with consumers of mental health services as a peer counselor/specialist, peer advocate or in related human services.
Qualification Requirements (Continued):
For All Other Assignments (Including Breastfeeding Education Assignments):
1. Satisfactory and documented completion of a formalized Peer Advocate/Counselor/Specialist Training Program or one (1) year of full-time satisfactory experience working with consumers of peer services as a peer counselor/specialist, peer advocate or in related human services; and
2. A High school diploma or its educational equivalent.

If you wish to apply for this position, please apply online by clicking the "Apply Now" button or forward your resume, noting the above Job ID #, to:

Lincoln Medical & Mental Health Center
Human Resources Department
234 Eugenio Maria De Hostos Blvd, (East 149th Street),
2nd Floor, Annex
Bronx, NY 10451
Attn: Recruitment Unit

NYC Health and Hospitals offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

• Comprehensive Health Benefits for employees hired to work 20+ hrs. per week
• Retirement Savings and Pension Plans
• Loan Forgiveness Programs for eligible employees
• Paid Holidays and Vacation in accordance with employees' Collectively bargained contracts
• College tuition discounts and professional development opportunities
• Multiple employee discounts programs