Lactation Consultant, RN

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt

Job Role Summary

The RN-Lactation Consultant demonstrates specialized knowledge and clinical expertise in breastfeeding/chestfeeding and human lactation. Lactation Consultants are primarily focused on providing safe, family-centered, and comprehensive infant feeding services for breastfeeding/chestfeeding dyads in collaboration with the patient, patient’s family, significant others, and other members of the health care team. As an integral member of the Health Care Team, the Lactation Consultant functions within the Scope of Practice as defined by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) and follows Standards of Practice as defined by their professional association, International Lactation Consultant Association, and adheres to policies, procedures, and guidelines of care.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Functions as a member of the health care team as a clinical expert to promote, support, and protect human milk feeding as optimal first nutrition for all infants
• Provide holistic, evidence-based breastfeeding/chestfeeding support and care from pre-conception through weaning for birthing people and their families
• Use clinical expertise to assess lactation history and feeding for the breastfeeding/chestfeeding dyad, and develop, implement, and evaluate an individualized feeding plan for breastfeeding/chestfeeding and pumping dyads
• Provide education to families, health professionals and the community about breastfeeding/chestfeeding and human lactation
• Participate in the development of evidence-based policies and practices to improve infant feeding outcomes in alignment with current research guidelines
• Coordinates unit level quality and process improvement activities with direction from leadership to resolve clinical problems related to feeding outcomes
• Issue rental or insurance breast pumps to patients and provide education on pump usage, human milk handling, and storage guidelines
• Provide prenatal and post-delivery consultative care to patients for lactation-related needs, to include antenatal education and consults, outpatient consults, telephone triage, and inpatient consults on outside units when needed
• Assist NICU families with initiating pumping in a timely manner and transitioning to breastfeeding/chestfeeding when desired and appropriate
• Participate in the development of education materials for patients and lactation curriculum for varying levels of staff throughout the organization
• Make appropriate referrals to other health care providers and community support resources in a timely manner and prior to discharge as needed
• Maintain stock of necessary lactation and human milk feeding supplies to provide appropriate lactation care
• Assist with all aspects of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative, to include planning, implementing, and evaluating current program initiatives, strategies, and outcomes, and conducting continuous quality improvement activities in alignment with requirements from Baby Friendly USA
• Continues to pursue educational and/or professional growth opportunities pertinent to clinical and professional development, seeks specialty certification within identified time frames as appropriate.

Job Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited School of Nursing
• Bachelor’s Degree preferred
• Minimum of three years of clinical nursing experience as a registered nurse
• Maintain NRP and BLS certifications
• Current State of Indiana license as a Registered Nurse
• Current International Board Certified-Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) or other lactation certification (CLC, CLS, CBS, etc.) with documented progress towards IBCLC credentials highly preferred
• Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative experience preferred

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Advanced skills in:

o Clinical nursing practice, use of equipment/instruments relevant to unit/area care, and scope of practice according to policies, procedures and standards.
o Effective interpersonal communication and team skills which include listening, interviewing techniques with patients, families and staff.
o Assessment, reassessment and monitoring of patients.
o Concise, accurate, legible documentation.
o Problem solving techniques, critical thinking skills, decision-making

• Knowledge and skills necessary to:

o Provide care appropriate to meet the age and cultural needs of the patients served.
o Demonstrate knowledge of principles of growth and development over the life span
o Ability to assess data/interpret appropriate information needed to identify each patient’s requirements relative to age specific needs as well as clinical indications.

• Knowledge of:

o Fundamental nursing theories and current clinical concepts of care.
o Disease processes and related treatments/care/medications
o Departmental/hospital policies/protocol
o Infection control procedures and protocols
o Treatments/medications.
o Diagnostic/therapeutic procedures and interventions

• Ability to:

o Function as a member of the health care team
o Support and develop staff
o Delegate responsibilities/duties as appropriate
o Follow oral and written instructions
o Record and interpret information accurately
o Assess and respond to patient status or needs
o Perform CPR and other technical skills related to unit/department/assignment
o Work independently with little supervision
o Work effectively under stress/pressure and in crisis situations.
o Establish care/work priorities
o Display good judgment.