Lactation Consultant

About the Role

The Lactation Consultant, under the supervision of the Director and/or Clinical Manager, conducts ongoing assessments, patient and family education, and identifies and corrects variances from the Breastfeeding Center Program. This position plans, organizes, implements, and evaluates services consistent with the needs of breastfeeding women and may care for adolescents and adults.

Responsibilities

Patient Care/Education

• Completes assessment of patients seeking expertise.
• Implements changes in plan according to patient's individual needs.
• Prioritizes and problem-solves to meet changes in patient status/condition.
• Utilizes pain scale in pain assessment; includes assessment of pain.
• Implements provider orders relating to breastfeeding services.
• Participates in follow-up services and patient education.
• Provides family-centered care.
• Demonstrates ability to travel to other departments.
• Provides breastfeeding education and support skills to families, staff, and providers.
• Responds to RN requests for inpatient consultation.
• Directs and delivers breastfeeding services and supplies.
• Develops the patient plan of care for breastfeeding mothers.
• Assists and/or performs procedures.

Communication/Documentation

• Documents assessments, interventions, and patient responses.
• Communicates and documents patient/family learning needs.
• Documents interventions and patient response to interventions and any changes in patient's condition/status.
• Communicates patient information to providers.

Administrative

• Completes evaluation of services and program goals.
• Makes referrals.
• Leases supplies and equipment.
• Assists in data collection.

Collaboration

• Involves Perinatal Social Worker in designated patient populations.
• Works with providers and staff to enhance their skills and understanding of the program.

Education

• Participates in creating and sustaining a learning environment supported by evidence-based practice and research.
• Focuses on personal development areas, engaging in professional/collegial interactions with peers and students.
• Works collaboratively with peers and other healthcare providers, and participates in ongoing in-service and educational seminars.
• Participates in the mentoring and education of colleagues and students.

Compliance/Safety

• Responsible for reporting any safety-related incident in a timely fashion through the Midas/RDE tool.
• Attends all safety-related training programs.
• Performs work in a safe manner; monitors work environment for possible safety issues and ensures others are also performing work in a safe manner.
• Stays current and complies with state and federal regulations/statutes and company policies that impact the employee's area of responsibility.
• Ensures all certifications and/or licenses are up-to-date and valid prior to expiration dates if required for the position.
• Completes all company mandatory modules and required job-specific training in the specified time frame.
• Maintains knowledge of Breastfeeding Center protocols and all practice guidelines/general operating practices.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED (Required)
• Bachelor's Degree (Preferred)

Qualifications

• National Certification as IBCLC (Required)
• BLS (American Heart Association) (Required)
• Hands-on experience supporting and educating breastfeeding women (Required)
• Evaluation of services experience (Required)
• Program development experience (Preferred)
• Bilingual (Preferred)

Skills

Healthcare is a rapidly changing environment, and technology is integrated into almost all aspects of patient care. Colleagues must have an understanding of computers and competence in using computers and basic software programs.