WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor – Bilingual Required
About The Position
Catawba County Public Health is seeking a highly motivated, compassionate, and supportive person to fill the role of Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC) Breastfeeding Peer Counselor. The WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor serves as a role model, counselor, and support person for pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers. This position provides breastfeeding education, encouragement, and practical support to help mothers meet their personal breastfeeding goals for themselves and their infants. This position works closely with WIC participants, Public Health clients, hospital and prenatal clinic partners, and community providers. Catawba County’s Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Program also serves as a training hub for peer counselors across the Region 1 LATCH group, allowing peer counselors to observe daily operations and functions of this position. Qualified candidates must be fluent in English and Spanish. Bilingual extra duty pay is provided.
Requirements
- High school diploma or GED equivalent
- 6-12 months of personal breastfeeding experience
- Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish
- Completion of the FNS WIC Breastfeeding Curriculum Levels 1 and 2 and the Peer Counselor Care Plan Training within 6 months of hire date
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to provide compassionate, respectful, and nonjudgmental support to pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, infants, and families
- Strong customer service skills
- Ability to establish rapport with prenatal and breastfeeding women and provide encouragement during infant feeding decision-making
- Ability to maintain accurate documentation and electronic records
Nice To Haves
- Some travel is required for yearly trainings, forums, conferences, or workshops
Responsibilities
- Provides breastfeeding education, encouragement, and emotional support to pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, infants, and families
- Assists women and babies with breastfeeding techniques, common breastfeeding concerns, and use of breastfeeding aids, including breast pumps
- Maintains regular contact with participants through scheduled and unscheduled phone calls, follow-ups, and referrals
- Assesses breastfeeding concerns and refers participants to the appropriate professional, including the WIC Designated Breastfeeding Expert, nurse, nutritionist, lactation consultant, or primary care provider when needed
- Assists mothers with breastfeeding plans for non-routine situations, such as returning to work or school, temporary mother-baby separation, minor illness, or changes in milk supply
- Receives and follows up on referrals from hospitals, prenatal clinics, private physicians, and other community partners
- Documents client contacts, education activities, phone calls, follow-ups, and caseload information according to WIC and agency guidelines
- Assists with WIC appointments, outreach, small group discussions, breastfeeding promotion activities, and participant education
- Maintains, distributes, cleans, and stores breast pumps and other breastfeeding aids according to WIC program guidelines
- Interprets for Spanish-speaking WIC participants as needed and supports Spanish-speaking participants on the breastfeeding peer counselor caseload
- Serves as a resource for Region 1 LATCH peer counselors who shadow and observe the daily activities and operations of the position
- Responds to call-down drills within required agency timeframes
- Participates in required trainings, staff meetings, breastfeeding forums, conferences, safety trainings, and continuing education as assigned
Benefits
- Up to 40 hours of advanced annual leave
- 40 hours of advanced sick leave
- Bilingual extra duty pay
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
