Peer Counselor Job Description

Peer Counselor Job Description

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Peer counselor provides individual breastfeeding, infant nutrition and infant development information, counseling and referrals to KINDNESS participants under the guidance and supervision of the RD/Lactation Specialist.

Peer Counselor Duties & Responsibilities

To write an effective peer counselor job description, begin by listing detailed duties, responsibilities and expectations. We have included peer counselor job description templates that you can modify and use.

Sample responsibilities for this position include:

Collaborate with the clinical and crisis team to promote a culture that recognizes, understands, and respects each client's point of view, experiences, and preferences
Assist the mental health professionals in crisis and outpatient services to stabilize the client, promote rehabilitation and provide supportive services
Act as a liaison with community resources
Carry out rehabilitation and support functions
Assist in providing education, support and consultation to families
Provide crisis intervention/stabilization under the supervision of a mental health professional or designated mental health professional
Recruits pregnant women who intend to breastfeed and would like to have peer counselor support
Keeps accurate records of all contacts made with PC participants and documents all interactions with their caseload in the PC database
Contributes to a comfortable and positive breastfeeding environment
Maintains clinical and billing records, submit daily activity reports as required, and chart patient contact in the electronic medical record as needed

Peer Counselor Qualifications

Qualifications for a job description may include education, certification, and experience.

Licensing or Certifications for Peer Counselor

List any licenses or certifications required by the position: CPI, CPR, BLS

Education for Peer Counselor

Typically a job would require a certain level of education.

Employers hiring for the peer counselor job most commonly would prefer for their future employee to have a relevant degree such as Bachelor's and Associate Degree in Health, Education, Counseling, Social Service, History, Management, Graduate, Communication, Public Health, Nutrition

Skills for Peer Counselor

Desired skills for peer counselor include:

Basic medical and psychiatric terminology
Breastfeeding skills
Resources available in the community
Ability to apply financial requirements for billing and learn billing codes
Basic medical and psychiatric terminology ? Within 3 months of employment
Confidentiality and HIPPA regulations
How disabilities can adversely affect functioning and ways to cope with
Research policies and guidelines
Breastfeeding physiology and common challenges and interventions
Community organizations in order to make appropriate participant referrals

Desired experience for peer counselor includes:

Must obtain an Agency Affiliated Counselor Registration with the State of Washington
May need a Washington State Drivers License
May need to obtain and maintain a Food Handler’s Permit
HS graduation and/or sufficient experience and demonstrated skills to successfully perform the assigned duties and responsibilities
Demonstrated experience working with transgender women of color (minimum three years)
Demonstrated experience with individual-level and group facilitation (minimum one years) or relevant life experience

Peer Counselor Examples

1

Peer Counselor Job Description

Job Description Example
Our growing company is looking to fill the role of peer counselor. Please review the list of responsibilities and qualifications. While this is our ideal list, we will consider candidates that do not necessarily have all of the qualifications, but have sufficient experience and talent.
Responsibilities for peer counselor
  • Assist consumers with voicing interests and goals through appropriate channels and assisting them with their transition from inpatient to outpatient settings
  • Build positive supportive relationships with consumers that helps promote hope, choice, wellness and recovery
  • Assist consumers with identifying and linking to community-based services and supports (primary care, mental health and/or substance abuse treatment, housing and employment resources, consumer support and self-help groups, ) Provide assistance with applying for and securing financial benefits
  • Assist consumers to understand the effects of psychiatric medications, and with filling prescriptions after discharge
  • Work in conjunction with all inpatient and outpatient programs as part of the consumer’s treatment team
  • Coordinate with inpatient treatment units to facilitate discharge planning and develop and implement individualized transition plans with each participant
  • Assist consumers in their recovery by teaching independent living skills such as shopping, budgeting, meal preparation, accessing public transportation (including accompanying consumers to appointments) and establishing/maintaining community based natural supports
  • Establish and maintain record keeping/filing systems in support of individualized one-to-one services
  • Operate office equipment such as computer, calculator, and copy/fax machines
  • Order, receive and maintain inventory of materials and supplies for various consumer support services
Qualifications for peer counselor
  • Strong background in health education, peer health navigation, case management (minimum one year) or relevant life experience
  • Associate’s Degree and 2-year volunteer or related work experience, with one year experience as a breastfeeding peer counselor under the supervision of a breastfeeding educator or one year experience educating breastfeeding women
  • Ability to deliver informal educational programs
  • Must have an enthusiasm for breastfeeding and be willing to share with others in supportive relationships
  • Ability to create a positive and comfortable environment to engage the discussion of breastfeeding related topics with program participants
  • Ability to meet regular travel requirements associated with this position
2

Peer Counselor Job Description

Job Description Example
Our growing company is looking for a peer counselor. Thank you in advance for taking a look at the list of responsibilities and qualifications. We look forward to reviewing your resume.
Responsibilities for peer counselor
  • Maintain contact with Academic and Enrichment Specialists in regard to class
  • The Lactation Peer Counselor will be available by phone outside the usual 8-5 working hours
  • Complete Peer Counselor Training Program and demonstrate effective counseling techniques
  • Provide individual breastfeeding, infant nutrition and infant development information, counseling and referrals to KINDNESS participants under the guidance and supervision of the RD/Lactation Specialist
  • Assist RD/Lactation Specialist with breastfeeding classes, special projects and outreach, which may include cooperative projects with other community agencies
  • Keep accurate records of all contacts with KINDNESS participants in accordance with established procedures
  • Communicate in a positive, professional manner with KINDNESS participants, PKIMC staff and any community partners to promote positive client relationships
  • Reports to program manager, in a timely manner, any unsafe activities, conditions, hazards, or safety violations that may cause injury to oneself, other employees, patients and visitors
  • Will Comply with all HIPPA regulations
  • Understands and utilizes referral/yield protocols
Qualifications for peer counselor
  • Ability to work independently, be resourceful and self-motivated function highly in a team work setting
  • Ability to meet deadline and prioritize work
  • Experience in delivery of informal education programs
  • Must obtain an Agency Affialated Counselor Registration with the State of Washington
  • Must obtain a Peer Support Specialist Certification issued by the Mental Health Division as specified in WAC 388-865-0107 within the first 6 months of employment
  • Qualified applicants will possess a High School diploma or equivalent
3

Peer Counselor Job Description

Job Description Example
Our company is looking to fill the role of peer counselor. To join our growing team, please review the list of responsibilities and qualifications.
Responsibilities for peer counselor
  • Attends NYS DOH Loving Support model breastfeeding training classes to become a peer counselor coordinator, followed by completing a certified lactation counselor course and passing the CLC exam within one year of employment
  • Receives a caseload of WIC mothers and makes routine periodic contacts with all mothers assigned
  • Gives basic breastfeeding information and support to new mothers, including educating them about the benefits of breastfeeding, overcoming common barriers, and getting a good start with breastfeeding
  • Counsels WIC pregnant mothers by telephone and during WIC appointments at local WIC site
  • Acting as a peer, provides breastfeeding information and continued support to WIC moms filling the gap between home and medical professionals, while striving to improve the rate of exclusivity among breastfeeding participants
  • Ensures that breastfeeding moms are prepared for returning to work while breastfeeding, in order to increase duration of breastfeeding among WIC moms
  • Respects each mother by keeping her information strictly confidential
  • Keeps accurate records of all contacts made with WIC mothers
  • Assists in establishing program goals and objectives for the EPC program
  • Works along with the breastfeeding coalition identifying gaps in breastfeeding resources in order to improve breastfeeding outcomes
Qualifications for peer counselor
  • Experience working/volunteering in a mentoring, advocacy or peer programming preferred
  • Must be/have been a WIC participant who is/has breast fed for at least six months
  • Must demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
  • Peer Counseling certification is preferred
  • Ability to establish rapport with patients and staff from different ethnic, cultural, and economic backgrounds
  • Must have completed the Loving Support™ Peer Counselor Training
4

Peer Counselor Job Description

Job Description Example
Our company is growing rapidly and is looking for a peer counselor. Thank you in advance for taking a look at the list of responsibilities and qualifications. We look forward to reviewing your resume.
Responsibilities for peer counselor
  • Of Minority Health and HRH care prenatal groups funded by March of Dimes
  • Maintain record of class participants
  • Complete reports, accurately
  • Collect and prepare paperwork as required for the program evaluation process
  • Collect enrollment participants
  • Submit collected data (above)
  • Serves as a role model demonstrating resiliency in overcomming obstacles common to those with serious mental illness and be willing to share personal lived experience as appropriate
  • Assists consumers in their recovery by teaching independent living skills such as shopping, budgeting, meal preporation, accessing public transportation and establishing/maintaining community based natural supports
  • Coordinate with inpatient treatment units to faciliate discharge planning and develop and implement individualized transition plans with each participant
  • Assist consumers in their recovery by teaching independent living skills such as shopping, budgeting, meal preporation, accessing public transportation (including accompanying consumers to appointments) and establishing/maintaining community based natural supports
Qualifications for peer counselor
  • Employee must be enthusiastic about breastfeeding and have a desire to share that enthusiasm
  • Must possess effective listening, counseling and communication skills
  • Must have a valid Georgia Driver’s License and maintain an acceptable MVR
  • Education - High School Diploma or equivalent,Completion of a lactation counselor course
  • Current AHA Healthcare Provider Certification must be obtained prior to start date
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) or the ability to attain certification within 90 days of hire
5

Peer Counselor Job Description

Job Description Example
Our innovative and growing company is hiring for a peer counselor. If you are looking for an exciting place to work, please take a look at the list of qualifications below.
Responsibilities for peer counselor
  • Give basic breastfeeding information and support to mothers, including telling them about the benefits of breastfeeding, overcoming common barriers, and getting a good start with breastfeeding
  • Help mothers prevent and handle common breastfeeding concerns
  • Counsel pregnant and breastfeeding mothers by telephone, clinic visits, and/or hospital visits at scheduled intervals determined by the hospital needs
  • May counsel women in the prenatal clinic
  • Respect each mother by keeping her information strictly confidential
  • Keep accurate records of all contacts made with mothers
  • Attend and assist with prenatal classes and breastfeeding support groups
  • Attend monthly staff meetings and breastfeeding conferences/workshops as directed
  • Read assigned books and materials on breastfeeding that are provided by the supervisor
  • Assist staff in promoting breastfeeding peer counseling through special projects and duties as assigned
Qualifications for peer counselor
  • Reliable transportation, a valid AK driver’s license and vehicle insurance per state law
  • Additional training in lactation education
  • Personal parenting and breastfeeding experience
  • Ability to speak Tagalog or Spanish fluently
  • Requires bilingual Spanish and English proficiency in written and oral communication
  • Requires knowledge and experience working in the Latino community

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