Lactation Counselor - Part time

Pay

Hiring range: $25.06 – $32.90 per hour. This is a non‑exempt (hourly) position. Pay rates are based on education, skill, experience level and internal equity, including assessment of salary history and market rates.

Schedule

On‑site, 5 days a week. Part‑time, 20 hrs/week with flexible times depending on shift need. Regular hours Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Position Summary

Provide consultation and emotional support for pregnant women and new mothers who are currently breastfeeding or plan to do so. Under general supervision, deliver lactation counseling services through various channels associated with the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program.

Essential Functions

• Provide lactation education, counseling, support and consistent follow‑up contacts with clients during pregnancy, pre‑ and post‑birth, and throughout the lactation process.
• Schedule client appointments; coordinate intakes and transfers; assess income and residence for WIC certification; and maintain proper chart documentation.
• Obtain and document client anthropometric measures, including hemoglobin/hematocrit, and health history accurately.
• Counsel program‑approved clients who are pregnant and/or breastfeeding.
• Evaluate, log and maintain appropriate documentation of breastfeeding equipment and supply issuance.
• Provide general lactation information and support to new mothers.
• Educate mothers on how to prevent and handle common concerns.
• Make referrals to other agencies as needed and keep accurate records of all contacts with mothers and their families.
• Be available outside of normal clinic hours and respond to urgent or emergent public‑health events.
• Assist with emergency or disaster situations, including communicable disease outbreaks, severe weather, natural disasters, fire, power outages, or acts of terrorism, as required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience: Minimum of two years of directly related experience.
• Education: High School Diploma or equivalent (combination of relevant education and experience may be considered).
• Licenses and Certifications:
  • Satisfactory completion of a state‑approved Lactation Peer Counseling Training Course (required post‑hire).
  • May require a valid North Carolina or South Carolina driver’s license.
  • May require the ability to obtain and maintain a valid Mecklenburg County Operator’s Permit.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred but not required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Breastfeeding principles and practices.
• Breastfeeding safety principles and practices.
• Quality control principles and practices.

• Delivering breastfeeding programs.
• Implementing breastfeeding procedures.
• Monitoring quality‑control issues.

• Assimilating and applying new job‑related information in a timely manner.
• Building trust and interacting with others to instill confidence.
• Communicating clearly through various media to engage and inform audiences.
• Providing patient education and health promotion, supporting patients and families in understanding clinical procedures and equipment.
• Meeting patient and family needs, ensuring safety, satisfaction, and positive clinical outcomes.
• Planning and organizing work efficiently for self and others.
• Proficient with computer applications, including Microsoft Office Suite.

Work Environment

Works in an office setting with moderate noise.

Reasonable Accommodations

To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.