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Lactation Counselor Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

... lactation, and related conditions), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable ... We also offer an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that provides services like virtual counseling ...

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Lactation Counselor information

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How much do lactation counselor jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for lactation counselor in Riverside, CA is $22.23, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.05 and $24.33 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the most common challenges faced by Lactation Counselors when supporting new parents, and how are they typically addressed?

Lactation Counselors often encounter challenges such as addressing breastfeeding difficulties (like latching issues or low milk supply), managing parents' emotional stress, and navigating cultural or familial expectations. To overcome these, counselors use evidence-based techniques, active listening, and personalized education to empower parents. Collaboration with nurses, pediatricians, and other healthcare professionals is also common, ensuring comprehensive support for both parent and infant. Ongoing professional development and peer support help counselors stay updated and manage complex cases effectively.

What Does a Lactation Counselor Do?

As a lactation counselor, you assist and educate patients on breastfeeding their babies. Your responsibilities include educating patients about infant nutrition, assisting new moms in getting their baby to latch onto their breast properly to consume milk, providing advanced breastfeeding education and support when it is necessary, and helping moms learn how to operate and maintain their mechanical breast pump. Other duties include providing information about WIC and other nutritional support services, referring patients to other breastfeeding professionals when it is necessary, helping moms hold their baby in the right position when they are breastfeeding, and teaching mothers how to properly establish a milk supply and express breast milk during feedings.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Lactation Counselor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Lactation Counselor, you need a solid understanding of human lactation, infant nutrition, and counseling techniques, typically supported by a relevant certification such as Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) or International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). Familiarity with patient documentation systems, breastfeeding assessment tools, and educational resources is essential. Excellent interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity, and patience help build trust with new parents and navigate diverse family dynamics. These skills are crucial for providing effective guidance, supporting successful breastfeeding, and promoting positive health outcomes for both mother and child.

What does a lactation counselor do?

A lactation counselor is a trained professional who provides support, education, and guidance to breastfeeding mothers and their families. They help address common breastfeeding challenges, such as latching difficulties, milk supply issues, and nipple pain. Lactation counselors also offer practical tips for successful breastfeeding and can refer mothers to more specialized help if needed. Their goal is to promote healthy breastfeeding practices and support families throughout their breastfeeding journey.

What is the difference between Lactation Counselor vs Lactation Consultant?

AspectLactation CounselorLactation Consultant
CredentialsTypically requires certification from organizations like the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) or similar, often with additional training in breastfeeding supportMust hold IBCLC certification, which requires extensive training, clinical hours, and passing the IBCLC exam
Work EnvironmentHospitals, clinics, community health centers, private practiceHospitals, clinics, private practice, public health agencies
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by healthcare providers, community organizations, and lactation support programsRecognized as a healthcare professional with advanced certification, often involved in complex cases

While both Lactation Counselors and Lactation Consultants support breastfeeding mothers, Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) have more extensive training and certification, enabling them to handle more complex breastfeeding issues. Lactation Counselors often provide basic support and education, making them accessible for general breastfeeding assistance.

What are popular job titles related to Lactation Counselor jobs in Riverside, CA? For Lactation Counselor jobs in Riverside, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Lactation Counselor jobs in Riverside, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Lactation Counselor jobs in Riverside, CA are:
What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Lactation Counselor jobs? Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Lactation Counselor job openings:
Nutritionist/lBCLC - Breastfeeding Peer Counselor - Bilingual Spanish

Nutritionist/lBCLC - Breastfeeding Peer Counselor - Bilingual Spanish

Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties

Santa Ana, CA • On-site

$32/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 24 days ago


Planned Parenthood rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 117 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

70th of 872 rated healthcare providers


Job description

Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties has a full-time opportunity for a Nutritionist/lBCLC- Breastfeeding Peer Counselor at our WIC Center in Santa Ana, CA.

Provide nutrition and breastfeeding counseling, and education services to high/low risk participants. Conduct group classes and perform other functions as requested by the supervisor. Assist in training new staff members.

At PPOSBC, we understand the importance of a well-rounded benefits program and are dedicated to providing you with unique benefits that meet the needs of you and your family. We are proud to offer a range of plans that help protect you in the case of illness or injury including:

  • A competitive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and eligible dependents, life insurance, and long term disability. 
  • Benefits coverage starts after one full month of employment!
  • Generous vacation, sick, and holiday benefits!
  • Generous 401(k) matching contributions and more!
  • To view our detailed benefits guide, please visit our career site at www.pposbccareers.org


To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • Ability to relate to diverse comm
  • Ability to work independently and as a team mem
  • Excellent written and verbal communication
  • Strong organizational
  • Accuracy and attention to detail
  • Ability to read and implement written
  • Possess a warm, caring m
  • Professional appearance and

Licensure and/or Certification Requirements:

  • Current up-to-date IBCLC certification
  • Passed the CA Registered Dietitian exam.
  • Current up-to-date CDR certification.

 

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Food and Nutrition, Public Health, or related field.

 

Minimum Work Experience:

  • Previous experience working with WIC program highly
  • Enthusiastic about breastfeeding
  • Knowledge of WIC program
  • Knowledge and experience in lactation training and mentoring

Agency Standard Requirements:

  • Strong commitment to quality healthcare and excellent customer service is required.
  • Must thrive in a fast paced, rigorous environment with changing priorities.
  • Ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure
  • Must demonstrate high level computer skills including; Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook. Electronic medical records experience may also be required.
  • This position may require travel to other sites and locations; if using a personal vehicle to meet this requirement, a valid CA driver’s license and current auto insurance in compliance with the minimum requirements of CA vehicle code are required.
  • Willing to travel within California for State-sponsored trainings.
  • Professional appearance and attitude.
  • Available to work flexible hours

Essential Functions: Essential functions encompass the required tasks, duties and responsibilities performed as part of the job and the reason the job exists.

Essential Functions:

  • Develop and maintain proficiency in all databases used in the BPC Program including WICWISE and PCDB. 
  • Assist in the training of peer counselors.
  • Provide clinical oversight for peer counselors ensuring they are providing lactation information that is evidence-based and are working within the scope of their responsibilities.
  • Monitor BPC contacts including phone, e-mail, text, in-person and group.  Also monitor BPC documentation in PC database.  Level of monitoring adjusted to skill level of peer counselor. 
  • Be available during each peer counseling group session to answer any questions from PCs and participants.
  • Accept referrals from peer counselors requiring IBCLC support. 
  • Provide technical expertise to all WIC mothers in a timely manner, including high-risk pump participants.
  • Communicate directly with local health care providers regarding high risk cases
  • Develop a breastfeeding topic each month for peer counseling group meetings.
  • Hold regular meetings (minimum 1X/month) with peer counselors to discuss and demonstrate breastfeeding topic of the month, other breastfeeding education, and other counseling issues.
  • Use standard form to audit Peer Counselor’s counseling at WIC sites and over the phone at least quarterly and provide feedback/guidance based on results.
  • Assist in completing State required quarterly and annual reports by the designated deadlines.
  • Attend WIC staff meetings and complete WIC-required trainings. 
  • Provide breastfeeding technical training to WIC staff at monthly WIC meetings as requested.
  • Participate in breastfeeding outreach activities (including World Breastfeeding Month Activities every August) and serve as a breastfeeding advocate promoting WIC as a breastfeeding friendly community. 
  • Promote Peer Counseling Program within WIC, Orange County and the greater community.
  • Perform other duties as requested by Supervisor/Program Manager.

Non-Essential Functions:

  • Other duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical requirements of this position are identified below. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

CORE COMPETENCIES – WE CARE:

  • Welcoming: Anticipates customer requirements and gives high priority to customer satisfaction and service.  Handles problems quickly and efficiently.  Maintains a pleasant, positive and professional approach. Embraces opportunities to help team members, stakeholders, and other departments.
  • Equitable: Creating equitable access and opportunity for all through education, practicing inclusive behavior, elevating others’ voices, creating spaces for honest conversation, and listening without judgment.  Values and uplifts our collective diversity within in our agency.
  • Confidential: Respects the information shared by our patients, employees, and vendors and maintains appropriate confidentiality.  Follows all policies and laws that protect private & privileged information.
  • Accessible: Is available and approachable to others, open-minded, fair and non-defensive.  Appreciates constructive feedback and is a team player.  Demonstrates good listening skills.
  • Respectful:  Values diversity and treats everyone with dignity and courtesy.  Dependable and courteous of other people’s time and commitments.
  • Empathetic: Demonstrates interest and understanding in other people’s feelings, attitudes and reasoning.  Maintains an open and non-judgmental demeanor that is patient, flexible, and understanding.


Planned Parenthood/Orange and San Bernardino Counties is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, creed, equal pay, age, disability, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military, veteran status or any other federal or state protected class. We are committed to building and maintaining an inclusive workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Company Description

At Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties, we believe that health care is a basic human right. We combine mission with method and adhere to the highest medical standards and protocols to provide the very best for our patients.
Our staff works with a sense of pride, knowing that every day presents opportunities to make an impact on an individuals’ life—empowering each patient to take control of their health.

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