Breastfeed Peer Counselor II

Where kids and families are always first 

At MultiCare Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital & Health Network, caring for kids is more than what we do — it’s our purpose. As the state-designated Level II Pediatric Trauma Center and the only pediatric hospital in Washington’s South Sound, we provide a comprehensive network of care designed specifically for children and adolescents.  

 

Our vision is to be the safest, highest-quality place for children to receive care, where every child has a medical home and every family feels supported.

FTE: .6_, Shift: Day_, Schedule: M-W

Position Summary

A WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor II is a paraprofessional support role that gives basic breastfeeding information and encouragement to WIC pregnant and breastfeeding participants while training and mentoring new Breastfeeding Peer Counselors to be able to efficiently do the same. The BFPC II will provide breastfeeding education, community outreach and one-on-one appointments related to breastfeeding management, pre/postnatal and infant safety and health equity/wellness; in order to improve breastfeeding outcomes and quality of life for the increasingly diverse communities within MultiCare service areas.

Responsibilities:

• Receives a caseload of WIC participants and makes routine periodic contacts with all participants assigned.
• Schedules appointments and completes in-clinic, telephone or virtual visits to provide breastfeeding assessment, client education, and encouragement to WIC pregnant and breastfeeding participants. Attends and assists with prenatal classes and breastfeeding support groups.
• Gives basic breastfeeding information and support to new mothers, including discussing the benefits of breastfeeding, overcoming common barriers, and getting a good start with breastfeeding. Helps mothers prevent and handle common breastfeeding concerns. 
• Mentor junior peer counselors by modeling participant-centered counseling and appropriate job skills and supports recruitment, onboarding and retention of peer counseling staff.
• Lead breastfeeding support groups and classes
• This position may work in any clinic location operated by MHS WIC Services across Pierce County, use of personal vehicle is required
• Ability and willingness to meet with families individually in clinic and virtually during and after working hours. 

Requirements:

• Bi-lingual preferred but not necessary (Spanish/English or Russian/English) 
• High school diploma/GED equivalent
• Have at least 500 hours of providing direct support to breastfeeding participants.
• Attended at least forty hours of lactation management training.
• One year experience as a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor I for Mary Bridge WIC

 

About Mary Bridge Children’s 

For more than 70 years, MultiCare Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital & Health Network has cared for children and families across the South Sound. Anchored by an 82-bed pediatric hospital in Tacoma, Mary Bridge offers a Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, a 24-hour pediatric-only Emergency Department and a state-designated Level II Pediatric Trauma Center. 

 

As a comprehensive pediatric health network, Mary Bridge delivers expert, family-centered care across inpatient, outpatient and specialty services, supported by multidisciplinary teams dedicated to the unique needs of every child and family we serve. 

 

Why Mary Bridge Children's? 

 

Built for children and families 

Delivering care designed specifically for kids and the families who support them, with a strong focus on family-centered care. 

 

Award-winning care 

Named a Top Children’s Hospital by The Leapfrog Group, earning this national recognition six times in the past eight years, with physicians consistently recognized on Top Doctors lists by Seattle Magazine, Seattle Met and the Tacoma News Tribune. 

 

Growing for the future 

A new pediatric hospital and medical office building designed to support the future of children’s care. 

 

Well-being and support 

Generous time off, wellness resources and programs designed to help you maintain balance in your work and life. 

 

Living our values 

Respect, integrity, kindness and collaboration guide how we care for patients, communities and each other. 

 

Pacific Northwest lifestyle 

Work and live where natural beauty, adventure and strong community connections are part of everyday life. 

Pay and Benefit Expectations

We provide a comprehensive benefits package, including competitive salary, medical, dental and retirement benefits and paid time off. As required by various pay transparency laws, we share a competitive range of compensation for candidates hired into each position. The pay scale is $18.94 - $27.26 USD. However, pay is influenced by factors specific to applicants, including but not limited to: skill set, level of experience, and certification(s) and/or education. If this position is associated with a union contract, pay will be reflective of the appropriate step on the pay scale to which the applicant’s years of experience align.

Associated benefit information can be viewed here.