Registered Nurse (RN) Lactation Consultant

Job Type: Full-time

About Our Team

Highpoint Health Sumner is a 167-bed hospital located in Gallatin, TN and is part of Lifepoint Health, a diversified healthcare delivery network committed to making communities healthier with acute care, rehabilitation, and behavioral health facilities from coast to coast. From your first day to your next career milestone—your experience matters.

About the Role

The Lactation Consultant plans, implements, monitors, and evaluates the Lactation Program and services offered. The Lactation Consultant serves as a resource to staff and patients, collaborates with healthcare team members to provide patient, staff, and community education and support. Assesses patient condition including physical, psychosocial, and age-specific needs related to lactation. Provides direct instructions, interventions, and support in resolving patient breastfeeding issues. Assists the healthcare team in maintaining current knowledge base and competency with breastfeeding.

In the execution of job duties, it is the universal expectation that all tasks are performed with a patient-centered focus, while also seeking opportunities to continually improve core processes. Incumbent will be scheduled based on operational need, which may include but is not limited to: holidays, extended shifts, night and/or weekend shifts, standby, and/or on-call.

Responsibilities

• Teaches, coaches, supports, and mentors nursing staff and other healthcare learners to promote evidence-based clinical practice, and support breastfeeding skills to mother-infant dyad.
• Serves as a consultant to nursing, members of the healthcare community, and to the larger community in areas of lactation.
• Assesses local community need for breastfeeding education, and participates/teaches in programs to address identified needs as appropriate.
• Uses current lactation theories and research to develop evidence-based feeding plans that address individual feeding issues, such as nutritional requirements, while respecting the family's breastfeeding goals.
• Participates in the development, implementation, and evaluation of standards of practice, guidelines, policies, procedures, and protocols within the area of lactation.
• Participates in the design, implementation, and evaluation of programs and projects in lactation and breastfeeding to meet goals and objectives of the organization and department.
• Participates in interdisciplinary performance improvement and clinical research to promote evidence-based lactation services and to improve clinical outcomes.
• Provides lactation support and services to new mothers and infants.
• Updates skills and knowledge by attaining 15 contact hours annually and provides documentation of completion.
• Assists with orientation and training of others as directed.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Current RN License preferred.
• Certifications: Basic Life Support (BLS); International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE).
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in Mother/Baby/Nursery environment; preferred education experience in clinical and/or classroom setting.

Skills

• Requires critical thinking skills, decisive judgment, and the ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Must be able to work in a stressful environment and take appropriate action.
• Understanding of diverse cultural, physical, emotional, and psychological responses to birthing, lactation, and parenting.
• Ability to facilitate small and large groups.

Benefits

• Multiple levels of medical, dental, and vision coverage for full-time and part-time employees.
• Financial Protection & PTO: Life, accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity insurance, short- and long-term disability, paid family leave, and paid time off.
• Financial & Career Growth: Higher education and certification tuition assistance, loan assistance, and 401(k) retirement package with company match.
• Employee Well-being: Mental, physical, and financial wellness programs (free gym memberships, virtual care appointments, mental health services, and discount programs).
• Professional Development: Ongoing learning and career advancement opportunities.