RN - Lactation Consultant PRN

About the role

The Lactation Consultant RN at Merit Health provides expert care and support for breastfeeding/chest-feeding parents and their infants. This role involves assessing, planning, and implementing individualized lactation care plans, collaborating with families and the healthcare team, and promoting optimal feeding outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Provides specialized lactation care and clinical management for breastfeeding/chest-feeding dyads, as well as pumping parents, using evidence-based practices.
• Affords assessments of patient and infant needs, developing individualized lactation care plans to address challenges and optimize feeding outcomes.
• Facilitates breastfeeding by teaching proper positioning, latch techniques, breast care, and strategies to manage challenges such as engorgement or low milk supply.
• Serves as a resource to healthcare providers, offering education and consultation to enhance knowledge of lactation care and support.
• Maintains documentation of patient interactions, care plans, and outcomes in compliance with organizational and regulatory standards.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• 0-2 years of direct experience as a lactation consultant required.
• 0-2 years of clinical experience in maternal-child health, obstetrics, or pediatrics preferred.

Qualifications

• Advanced clinical knowledge of breastfeeding/chest-feeding and human lactation practices.
• Strong teaching and communication skills to educate parents, families, and healthcare teams.
• Ability to assess and address complex lactation challenges with empathy and professionalism.
• Knowledge of infection prevention protocols and universal precautions.
• Collaborative skills to work effectively with multidisciplinary teams.
• Organizational and time management skills to prioritize patient needs in a fast-paced environment.

Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of infection prevention protocols and universal precautions.
• Collaborative skills to work effectively with multidisciplinary teams.
• Organizational and time management skills to prioritize patient needs in a fast-paced environment.

Licenses and Certifications

• RN - Registered Nurse - State Licensure and/or Compact State Licensure required.
• IBCLC - International Board Certified Lactation Consultant required.
• BCLS - Basic Life Support issued by American Heart Association (AHA), American Red Cross (ARC), or American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI) required.
• NRP - Neonatal Resuscitation issued by American Heart Association (AHA), American Red Cross (ARC), or American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI) required.
• NALS - Neonatal Advanced Life Support issued by American Heart Association (AHA), American Red Cross (ARC), or American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI) required.