Breastfeeding Peer Counselor

• Location 1001 S 18th Ave,Marshalltown, IA, 50158,United States
• Base Pay $14.93 / Hour
• Job Category Health
• Employee Type Casual Plus

Title: WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor

Reports to:
Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Coordinator

Contribute to the mission and vision of MICA by creating a positive, respectful, and safe environment when working with families and agency and community partners. A breastfeeding peer counselor is a mother who has personal experience with breastfeeding and is trained to provide basic breastfeeding information, support and encouragement to new mothers. She must be enthusiastic about breastfeeding and desires to help other mothers enjoy a positive breastfeeding experience.

Supports MICA’s mission, vision, values, Ways of Working, and Whole Family Approach.

• Counsel pregnant and breastfeeding WIC mothers at the WIC clinic during scheduled clinic hours.
• Provide counseling to pregnant and breastfeeding WIC mothers by phone, email, text or face‑to‑face at scheduled intervals.
• Counsel pregnant and breastfeeding mothers outside the usual clinic hours.
• Educate mothers on the benefits of breastfeeding, overcoming common barriers and getting a good start with breastfeeding.
• Work within the peer counselor scope of practice and make referrals when needed.
• Maintain access to the internet from home and keep accurate records of all contacts made with assigned mothers using the WIC electronic data system.
• Keep each client’s information strictly confidential.
• Assist with prenatal breastfeeding classes and breastfeeding support groups for WIC participants.
• Complete weekly activity reports to the breastfeeding peer counselor coordinator.
• Attend monthly breastfeeding peer counselor group meetings and occasional conferences and/or workshops.
• Assist WIC staff in promoting the breastfeeding peer counseling program through special projects, outreach activities and duties assigned.

• Complete the initial Loving Support classes to become a breastfeeding peer counselor.
• Observe other breastfeeding peer counselors, WIC dietitians and nurses.
• Mentor newly hired peer counselors as assigned.
• Learn how to use the WIC electronic system.
• Complete continuing education as needed.

• Read, write and speak English.
• Be a current or former WIC participant.
• Have personal breastfeeding experience (at least one baby) and enthusiasm for breastfeeding.
• Commit to the inherent worth of every individual.
• Provide breastfeeding guidance to nursing mothers.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.
• Knowledge of HIPAA regulations and practices.
• Dedicated to continuous learning.
• Strong teamwork skills; collaborate positively with families, agency co‑workers and community partners.
• Maintain high level of confidentiality and ethical conduct.

• Causal plus position requiring flexibility and ability to work outside usual clinic hours, with some in‑clinic hours each month.
• Work from home.
• Communicate with participants during evenings or nights as needed.
• Constant interaction with program participants and colleagues, requiring strong judgment and emotional regulation.
• Occasional lifting and carrying of objects up to 40 pounds.
• Travel to additional WIC clinics as required; must have valid driver’s license, insurance, and reliable vehicle.

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Current or former WIC participant (any state).
• Personal breastfeeding experience.

Ability to read, write and speak Spanish.

• Successful completion of all background checks at hire and thereafter.
• Approved by State WIC Program office.
• Staff in centers serving infants must have Tdap immunization per CDC recommendations.
• Pre‑employment TB assessment and annual assessment.

EEO 1 Category 6

Breastfeeding Peer Counselor role is casual, on‑call position averaging approximately 12 hours per week, providing basic breastfeeding information, support and encouragement to new mothers in seven counties in central Iowa.