LACTATION CONSULTANT RN

Position Summary

Responsible and accountable for breastfeeding education and support of nursing staff and mothers who plan to breastfeed. Coordinates the services of the professional staff to the benefit of the lactating mother and her breastfeeding baby.

Responsibilities

• Assesses patient needs.
• Consults with mother and staff to help her meet her breastfeeding goals.
• Performs daily bedside lactation rounds.
• Based upon assessment, formulates a plan of action with mother and staff to address goals and any existing lactation problems.
• Documents care, teaching, and the progress of the mother and baby on patient charts.
• Initiates discharge planning as related to the successful breastfeeding dyad.
• Performs all independent nursing functions and those ordered by physician.
• Captivates and educates patients and families based upon assessment of patient readiness and patient preferences.
• Maintains necessary supplies and equipment, including responsibility for ordering.
• Serves as a consultant within the bounds of related field to all areas of the Covenant Health System and the community.
• Participates in planned orientation for new employees and in-services for staff, updating printed breastfeeding information given to patients and staff as needed.
• Utilizes team members, according to their abilities and position description.
• Identifies lactation consultant nurse role to patient, family, and health team members.
• Communicates patient status to other health team members, such as physicians, dietitians, nurses, social services, and discharge planners.
• Utilizes social services and all resources to promote, restore, and maintain optimal health care for patient and/or family.
• Aids the clinical instructor in providing clinical learning experiences for nursing students.
• Provides education and support about pumping for the mother whose infant or infants transfer to NICU.

Qualifications

• Minimum Education: None specified; however, must be sufficient to meet the standards for achievement of the below indicated license and/or certification as required by the issuing authority.
• Minimum Experience: Two (2) years of experience in a hospital as a staff nurse required.
• Licensure Requirement: Must have and maintain current Tennessee nursing license.
• Certification Requirement: Must have and maintain current certification by the International Board of Lactation Examiners (IBCLE) within 18 months of starting the position.