Lactation Consultant RN II - FBS - ($10,000 Sign On + Relocation)

Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) is a non-profit Tribal health organization designed to meet the unique health needs of Alaska Native and American Indian people living in Alaska. In partnership with the more than 171,000 Alaska Native and American Indian people served and the Tribal health organizations of the Alaska Tribal Health System, ANTHC provides world-class health services, including comprehensive medical services at the Alaska Native Medical Center, wellness programs, disease research and prevention, rural provider training, and rural water and sanitation systems construction. ANTHC is the largest, most comprehensive Tribal health organization in the United States and Alaska’s second-largest health employer, with more than 3,100 employees offering health services across the nation’s largest state.

About the role

The Lactation Consultant RN provides safe, family-centered, culturally appropriate patient care by assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating lactation plans for the breastfeeding/chest-feeding dyad and the pumping parent. This role works collaboratively with patients and healthcare team members to develop feeding plans for infants ranging from normal newborns to complex neonates, demonstrating specialized knowledge and clinical expertise in breastfeeding/chest-feeding and human lactation. As an integral member of the interdisciplinary team, the Lactation Consultant RN functions within the Scope of Practice defined by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) and adheres to the policies, procedures, and guidelines of care of the Alaska Native Medical Center.

Responsibilities

• Provides lactation support and services to the breastfeeding/chest-feeding dyad, including management, care planning, education, and instruction.
• Communicates effectively with patients, families, physicians, and coworkers, advocating consistently for the nursing dyad.
• Performs inpatient consultations, telephone triage, and prenatal education as appropriate.
• Uses current evidence to develop feeding plans addressing individual feeding issues while respecting the family’s feeding goals.
• Assesses the adequacy of breastfeeding and provides interventions as necessary.
• Assists parents of infants who cannot breastfeed to establish and maintain a milk supply and store their milk appropriately.
• Evaluates and documents the patient’s response to care and initiates independent and/or collaborative changes where appropriate.
• Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team and outpatient Lactation Consultant to provide continuity of care upon discharge.
• Teaches, coaches, supports, and mentors nursing staff and other healthcare learners to promote evidence-based clinical practice and breastfeeding skills.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Current Registered Nurse license in the State of Alaska.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
• Current International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) certification.
• Current Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification.
• Associate’s Degree in Nursing (or equivalent knowledge, experience, education, or training).
• Participation in 30 hours of continuing education in nursing every 2 years, with 16 hours in the specific area of practice.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of breastfeeding/chest-feeding and human lactation, and of the IBLCE Scope of Practice.
• Knowledge of nursing science, principles, techniques, and procedures for patient care.
• Knowledge of healthcare terminology, anatomy, physiology, and concepts of disease.
• Ability to utilize evidence-based practice to develop plans of care and interventions.
• Knowledge of the hospital environment and how services and functions interact.
• Knowledge of a shared governance environment with shared decision-making.
• Skill in critical thinking to provide effective and compassionate nursing care, assessing patient situations and taking effective courses of action.
• Skill in providing cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
• Skill in assessing and prioritizing multiple requests by patients, families, and team members.
• Knowledge of the Alaska Tribal Health System, ANTHC, and Alaska Native culture(s).
• Skill in operating a personal computer using a variety of applications.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and tasks concurrently and meet deadlines.
• Ability to communicate effectively.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
• Two or more years of nursing experience.
• NICU experience.
• National certification.

Benefits

• Medical insurance provided through the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program as a Tribal Employee, with over 20 plans and tiers.
• Cost-share dental and vision insurance.
• Discounted pet insurance.
• Retirement contributions with pre-tax or Roth options into a 403(b).
• 401(a) ANTHC Retirement Plan: After one year of employment, ANTHC will begin making matching contributions of up to 5% of eligible pay, based on your contributions. You may also be eligible for an annual discretionary contribution of up to 3% from the employer.
• Paid Time Off starting immediately, earning up to 6 hours per pay period, with accruals increasing based on years of service.
• Eleven paid holidays.
• Paid parental leave or miscarriage/stillbirth eligibility after six months of employment.
• Basic short/long-term disability premiums, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, and basic life insurance covered 100% by ANTHC, with additional options for short-term disability buy-up coverage and voluntary life insurance for yourself and family members.
• Flexible Spending Accounts for healthcare and dependent care.
• Ancillary cash benefits for accident, hospital indemnity, and critical illness.
• On-site childcare facility with expert-designed classrooms for early child development and preschool.
• Employee Assistance Program with support for grief, financial counseling, mental/emotional health, and discounted legal advice.
• Tuition discounts for you and eligible dependents at Alaska Pacific University.
• On-site training courses and professional development opportunities.
• License and certification reimbursements and occupational insurance for medical staff.
• Emergency travel assistance.
• Education assistance or education leave eligibility.
• Discount program for travel, gym memberships, amusement parks, and more.