Breastfeeding Support Specialist (Peer Counselor)

Wmyhealth; City of Albany (NY); Hybrid; USD 22,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

Whitney Young Health is seeking a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor to support pregnant and breastfeeding women within the NYS WIC program. The role may be part-time (20 hours) or full-time (40 hours) with responsibilities including counseling, education, outreach, and documentation.

You will work closely with WYH WIC staff, maintain ongoing contact with participants, and provide classes and referrals. Training through WYH WIC is required before counseling begins.

Qualifications

• Must have breastfed at least one child in the past 5 years.
• Must have access to reliable transportation to keep program commitments.
• Will need to complete the Peer Counselor Training Program through the WYH WIC agency before counseling begins.

Responsibilities

• Provide face-to-face counseling and support in accordance with NYS WIC Peer Counselor roles and responsibilities.
• Maintain contact with the provided list of WIC pregnant and breastfeeding women by phone on a routine basis.
• Meet with prenatal and breastfeeding women via telephone, email, text or in the clinic.
• Provide individual and group breastfeeding classes.
• Provide education, support and referrals to moms throughout their pregnancy and while breastfeeding utilizing counseling skills acquired during training.
• Be a resource for mothers to connect to other community programs and services.
• Prepare mothers for what to expect in the first hours and days of breastfeeding; inform participants you can be contacted 24/7 through the breastfeeding hotline.
• Document all contacts and education in NYWIC breastfeeding notes within two hours of contact.
• Participate in outreach activities and support WIC staff for projects.
• Submit PC productivity report weekly to the Breastfeeding Coordinator.
• Maintain a time record showing activity breakdown daily.
• Maintain compliance with local policies for breast pump issuance.
• Be available by WIC issued cell phone outside clinic hours for breastfeeding support.
• Update WIC Breastfeeding Support Facebook page weekly with educational information.
• Design and implement culturally sensitive educational programs.

Skills

Breastfeeding experience

Counseling skills

Documentation

Education

Peer Counselor Training Program

Job description

Whitney Young Health is seeking a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor to support pregnant and breastfeeding women within the NYS WIC program. The role may be part-time (20 hours) or full-time (40 hours) with responsibilities including counseling, education, outreach, and documentation.

You will work closely with WYH WIC staff, maintain ongoing contact with participants, and provide classes and referrals. Training through WYH WIC is required before counseling begins.