OBGYN- Outpatient Lactation Consultant

Boston Medical Center

About the role

The International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) is responsible for counseling and support of breastfeeding patients at Boston Medical Center (BMC) in the OB/GYN department as part of the Breastfeeding Medicine Clinic (BFM). The IBCLC will see patients independently as well as support the care of patients in co-visits with the clinic’s providers. They will triage patient referrals, provide case management and follow-up to clinic patients, and support the overall functioning of the Breastfeeding Medicine Clinic through monitoring of metrics.

Responsibilities

• Provide lactation support, counseling, and education to BMC patients in the OB/GYN clinic, including initial and follow-up appointments and management of complex cases (in-person and via telehealth).
• Participate in BFM provider sessions through conduct of co-visits (in person and telehealth), seeing patients either before or after the provider by performing pre/post feed weights, patient counseling, and hands-on support.
• Manage and conduct group lactation visits.
• Manage all referrals to BFM by reviewing cases, triaging as appropriate to IBCLC or provider level care, and contacting patients both to schedule appointments and to provide phone lactation counseling and history-taking ahead of appointments.
• Manage EMR and phone patient and provider contacts to BFM or OB/GYN regarding lactation-related questions, including monitoring BFM provider inboxes and e-consults.
• Support the BFM clinic and the wider Breastfeeding Equity Center through programmatic, educational, and clinical activities that promote breastfeeding equity and education among both patients and staff.
• Attend BFM/BEC meetings, other relevant departmental, lactation, and nursing meetings, and provide programmatic and metric-monitoring support.
• Supervise and provide clinical mentorship to trainees in BFM including nursing, medical, and midwifery students, residents, other staff seeking learning in lactation, and CLC and IBCLC trainees.
• Independently assess patient’s breastfeeding condition and use judgment to determine healthcare needs and appropriate action to be taken.
• Recognize and respond appropriately to deviation from normal.
• Support and encourage the breastfeeding dyad, including support of the extended breastfeeding dyad from toddler to preschooler.
• Share knowledge of breastfeeding care and educational principles, practices, procedures, and techniques to assess learning needs, develop an educational plan, and teach/counsel staff, patients, and family members.
• Provide counseling, guidance, and health promotion instructions to assist mothers and family members in maintaining good health habits and prevention activities.
• Recognize adverse signs and symptoms and react swiftly in emergency situations; make appropriate referrals to BFM or other providers.
• Apply knowledge of hospital/clinic administrative procedures, including reporting, inspection, quality control activities, ordering supplies, and basic personnel administration.
• Assist BFM/BEC in community planning, developing, and evaluating local healthcare needs regarding breastfeeding.
• Assist in evaluating the healthcare facility for breastfeeding-friendly activities.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in healthcare or public health-related field required.
• Master’s degree in healthcare or public health-related field a plus.
• International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) required.
• Registered Nurse (RN) required.
• 5 years of experience in a healthcare or public health field.
• 2 years (preferred 5 years) of experience as a Lactation Consultant (IBCLC).

Skills

• Highly specialized skills and abilities regarding assessment, intervention based on patient history, and management of complex lactation situations.
• Ability to provide information with consideration of mental, emotional, cultural, social, political, and physical factors.
• Able to identify health literacy and healthcare preferences of diverse dyads, including immigrant/refugee, non-English speaking, and other groups with unique needs or vulnerabilities.
• Able to identify and assess language barriers and plan appropriately, including the use of interpreter services.
• Interest and experience working with diverse populations, ideally in a clinical or lactation capacity, and a passion for breastfeeding equity.
• Fluency in Spanish or Haitian Creole strongly preferred.

Pay

$78,000.00 - $113,000.00 per year. This range offers an estimate based on minimum job qualifications. Factors considered include education, experience, skills, certifications/licensures, business/organizational needs, internal equity, and market competitiveness. The range is based on Boston-area data and is subject to modification based on geographic location.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and pharmacy benefits.
• Discretionary annual bonuses and merit increases.
• Flexible Spending Accounts.
• 403(b) savings matches.
• Paid time off.
• Career advancement opportunities.
• Resources to support employee and family well-being.

Schedule

Full Time