Breastfeeding Peer Counselor

The Breastfeeding Peer Counselor will serve as a role model and provide mother-to-mother education, support, referrals, and encouragement for prenatal and breastfeeding women participating in the Cabarrus Health Alliance WIC program.

• Provide support and encouragement to prenatal and breastfeeding women participating in the WIC Program as the ideal method of infant feeding
• Guide and inform women on initiation of breastfeeding, prevention of, and relief from common problems, maintaining milk supply and weaning
• Communicate routinely with women enrolled in the Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program at scheduled intervals determined by the Cabarrus Health Alliance WIC Program
• Evaluate and identify breastfeeding issues that may require referrals and continue to follow-up with these participants
• Refer WIC breastfeeding mothers to a WIC-Designated Breastfeeding Expert, Lactation Consultant, and/or Physician when the problems presented are beyond the Peer Counselor's scope of practice
• Participate in breastfeeding continuing education training by reading, listening to webinars, or attending trainings in person as assigned/approved by supervisor to remain current on breastfeeding information
• Evaluate client breast pump and supply needs, issue breast pumps and supplies according to policy, and provide information to clients on best practices for breast milk collection, storage, and hand expression

• High school diploma or equivalent plus one year of clerical experience
• Personal exclusive breastfeeding experience preferably for 6 months or longer
• Must complete a state-approved Breastfeeding Peer Counselor training course after hired
• Bilingual in English and Spanish required; bilingual assessment must be passed pre-hire

To improve individual and community health through services, education, and collaborative action.

We envision a thriving community where people make healthy choices in healthy environments.