Breastfeeding Peer Counselor at Cambridge Health Alliance – Somerville, Massachusetts

Location: WIC Cambridge-Somerville
Work Days: Various Shifts, Weekends, & Holiday's
Category: Human and Social Services
Department: WIC Peer Counselors
Job Type: Per Diem On Call
Work Shift: Day / Evening
Hours/Week: 0.00
Union Name: Non Union

Department Description

At Cambridge Health Alliance, our Department of Community Health is dedicated to improving the well-being of our communities through collaborative partnerships, education, and accessible clinical services. We are committed to reducing health inequities, understanding and addressing the unique health needs of our community members, and serving as a vital link between patients, staff, and essential community resources. Our work is driven by a focus on health justice and equity, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to achieve their best health.

The Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) offers the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program, a free nutrition program for eligible families in Massachusetts. WIC provides healthy foods, nutrition counseling, health education, and breastfeeding support to pregnant women, new mothers, and children under the age of five. The program aims to improve prenatal and birth outcomes for women, and promote healthier growth and development for children

Job Summary

As a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor, you will oversee breastfeeding support services at the WIC site under the guidance of the Breastfeeding Coordinator. You will act as an integral member of the team, fostering a positive work environment while initiating duties with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

• Clinical Support: Counsel pregnant and breastfeeding women during certification and follow-up appointments.

• Care Coordination: Collaborate with Nutritionists and Hospital Lactation Consultants to identify unique needs and implement appropriate interventions.

• Education & Outreach: Assist in developing educational materials and help plan "World Breastfeeding Week" activities.

• Documentation & Admin: Maintain breastfeeding contact logs, manage appointment scheduling, and document all counseling sessions according to policy.

• Mentorship: Train and demonstrate counselor work to new staff, interns, and other WIC team members.

• Professional Growth: Attend required state agency meetings and participate in quarterly staff meetings.

  
  

• Certification: Must be a Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC).

• Experience: At least one year of experience in breastfeeding counseling within a clinical or community setting.

• Commitment: Ability to follow prescribed safety regulations and promote hospital policies.

Please note that the final offer may vary within the listed Pay Range, based on a candidate's experience, skills, qualifications, and internal equity considerations.

In keeping with federal, state and local laws, Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) policy forbids employees and associates to discriminate against anyone based on race, religion, color, gender, age, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by law. We are committed to establishing and maintaining a workplace free of discrimination. We are fully committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not tolerate unlawful discrimination in the recruitment, hiring, termination, promotion, salary treatment or any other condition of employment or career development. Furthermore, we will not tolerate the use of discriminatory slurs, or other remarks, jokes or conduct, that in the judgment of CHA, encourage or permit an offensive or hostile work environment.