LABOR & DELIVERY - LACTATION SPECIALIST

About the role

The Lactation Specialist provides support, encouragement, and education for breastfeeding mothers and infants in antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum periods. They perform specialized lactation assessment and chart findings. They educate staff members with up-to-date evidence-based education regarding infant feedings, lactation, formula, assistive devices, etc.

Responsibilities

• Provides direct patient care in Labor, Postpartum, and NICU.
• Performs specialized latch and breastfeeding assessment and evaluation.
• Supports programs such as support groups and breastfeeding classes.
• Organizes information and posters for activities to promote breastfeeding.
• Affords assistance with patient, family, and staff breastfeeding education in coordination with the Postpartum Educator.
• Communicates with primary care nurses and/or providers regarding mother or infant abnormal findings.
• Implements and maintains a reference library of breastfeeding materials appropriate for both healthcare providers and mothers interested in learning more about lactation.
• Assesses patient and family emotional, cognitive, social, and motivational status relative to learning and determines their educational needs and priorities.
• Adjusts teaching/feeding plan to meet patient and family needs.

Qualifications

• Must be a current International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC).
• Completed the “Certified Lactation Counselor” (CLC) program or “Certified Lactation Educator” (CLE) with certificate.
• Encouraged to obtain IBCLC certification within 2 years of hire.
• Preferably at least 1 year of experience on a postpartum unit where breastfeeding education and assessments were provided.