Lactation Consultant

The certified Lactation Consultant is an expert in the management of the breast-feeding mother-baby dyad. This person is a coach, consultant, teacher, and lactation expert. As a consultant, s/he works collaboratively with the Birthing Center, Newborn and Intensive Care nurseries, Pediatrics, OB, Family Practice, and nursing care teams to develop feeding plans for a range of infants from the normal newborn to the complex neonate. Makes clinical assessments and uses current lactation theories and research to develop evidence-based feeding plans that address individual feeding issues while respecting the physician's and family's breastfeeding goals.

• Provide lactation support and services to breast-feeding mothers/infants by physician or nurse referral.
• Collaborate with pediatricians, physicians, and nursing care teams to develop feeding plans.
• Use 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.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team to provide continuity of care upon discharge of patients.
• Participate in developing, implementing, and evaluating patient education resources and programs dealing with breastfeeding.
• Participate in developing, implementing and evaluating staff education resources and programs dealing with breastfeeding.
• Teach, coach, support breastfeeding mothers utilizing evidence-based practice and with DHHS approved educational resources.
• Teach, coach, support, and mentor nursing staff and other healthcare learners to promote evidence-based clinical practice, and support breastfeeding skills to mother-infant dyad.
• Assess local community need for breastfeeding education, and participate/teach in programs to address needs.
• Utilize evidence-based research and knowledge to support clinical, educational and consultative roles in order to provide a scientific basis for professional nursing practice.
• Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team and dept. of APN in research opportunities that will advance the knowledge base and practice of lactation services.
• Participate in interdisciplinary performance improvement and clinical research to promote evidence-based lactation services and to improve clinical outcomes.
• Participate in the design, implementation and evaluation of programs and projects in lactation and breastfeeding to meet goals and objectives of DHHS.
• Identifies and analyzes system barriers to provision of excellent care and develops plans to resolve barriers.
• Participate in the development, implementation, and evaluation of standards of practice, guidelines, policies, procedures, and protocols within area of lactation.
• Serve as a consultant to nursing, members of the healthcare community, and to the larger community in areas of lactation.
• Treats patients and their families, as well as staff with respect and dignity.
• Ability to use basic computer skills for charting and communication.

Regulatory Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in nursing, health, nutrition, or related field required.
• Certification by IBCLC (International Board of Certified Lactation Consultant) preferred. If not plan to obtain within 5 years of hire.
• Knowledge of medical terminology.