Lactation Specialist

Location: Kent Campus Hospital

Status: Full Time 72 Hours

Shift: Day/ Evening

SALARY RANGE: 37.98 - 58.87HOURLY

General Summary:

Provides professional nursing care and lactation services within Bayhealth. Professional nursing practices, requiring specialized knowledge judgement and skill are performed using the process in accordance with hospital policy, procedure and philosophy.

Responsibilities:

1. Demonstrates the ability to collect relevant patient healthcare data. a. Prioritizes data collection activities as indicated by the patient's immediate condition. b. Collects data using appropriate assessment techniques and instruments. c. Appropriately documents collected data. d. Collects data using a systematic and on-going process.
2. Demonstrates ability to analyze the data in determining patient needs. a. Assesses data to determine patient needs. b. Interacts with the patient, family and other members of the healthcare team. c. Prioritizes and documents in a manner that facilitates determining expected outcomes and developing a plan of care. d. Documents patient needs in the clinical record.
3. Demonstrates the ability to identify individualized, expected outcomes for the patient. a. Outcomes are derived from patient needs. b. Outcomes are mutually formulated with the patient, family, and other health care providers, as appropriate. c. Outcomes are realistic, individualized, culturally appropriate, and age-specific. d. Outcomes are measurable and include a time element for attainment, if possible. e. Outcomes provide direction for continuity of care. f. Outcomes are documented in the clinical record.
4. Demonstrates ability to develop a plan of care that prescribes specific interventions to attain expected outcomes. a. The plan of care is individualized by the RN to reflect the patient/family needs. b. The plan of care is developed by the RN collaboratively with the healthcare team and patient/family. c. The plan of care reflects current acute care nursing practice. d. The plan of care provides for continuity of care. e. The RN establishes the priorities of care. f. The plan of care is part of the clinical record.
5. Demonstrates the ability to implement interventions identified in the Plan of Care. a. Administer patient care interventions in a manner that minimizes complications and/or life-threatening situations. b. Encourages the patient and family to participate in implementing the plan of care, based on their ability to participate and make decisions. c. Documents interventions in the clinical record.
6. Demonstrates the ability to evaluate the patient's progress toward attaining expected outcomes. a. Evaluation is systematic, on going and criterion-based. b. The appropriate members of the healthcare team (pt/family/others, etc) are involved in the evaluation process, as indicated. c. Evaluation of patient outcomes occurs within an appropriate time frame after initiation of interventions. d. On-going assessment data are used by the RN to revise the patient needs. e. Revisions in outcomes, and the plan of care are documented. f. Evaluates the effectiveness of interventions in relation to outcomes. g. Documents patient's response to interventions.
7. Demonstrates the ability to systematically evaluate the quality and effectiveness of nursing practice. a. Participates in performance improvement activities. b. Uses the results of performance improvement activities to initiate change in nursing practice, as appropriate.
8. . Demonstrates the ability to reflect knowledge of current professional practice standards, laws and regulations. a. Evaluates his/her own nursing practice in relation to professional practice standards, relevant statutes and regulations. b. Engages in an annual self-assessment, identifying areas of strength and areas requiring professional development. c. Seeks and reflects on constructive feedback from other members of the healthcare team. d. Takes action to achieve performance goals.
9. Demonstrates ability to acquire and maintain current knowledge and competency in nursing care. a. Participates in ongoing educational activities to acquire and validate knowledge. b. Seeks experiences that reflect current clinical competencies and new clinical information.
10. Demonstrates the ability to interact with and contributes to the professional development of peers and other healthcare providers. a. Shares knowledge, skills, and experiences with colleagues and others. b. Provides colleagues and peers with constructive feedback regarding their practice. c. Contributes to a learning environment that is conducive to healthcare education. d. Contributes to a team environment by working with others in a way that promotes and encourages each person's contribution.
11. Demonstrates the ability to participate in decision making and takes action based on ethical principles. a. Nursing practice is guided by the ANA Code for Nurses and ethical principles. b. The RN acts as a patient advocate and assists others in developing advocacy skills. c. The RN delivers care in a non-judgmental and nondiscriminatory manner, which is sensitive to patient diversity. d. The RN delivers care such that the patient's autonomy, dignity and rights are preserved.
12. Demonstrates the ability to collaborate with the patient family, and other healthcare providers to provide patient care in a caring environment. a. Communicates with the healthcare team regarding the patient's care. b. Works collaboratively with other members of the healthcare team to formulate the plan of care and deliver services. c. Consults with other healthcare providers and initiates referrals as appropriate to promote continuity of care.
13. Demonstrates the ability to incorporate current concepts in clinical research utilization into his/her practice. a. Continually questions and evaluates practice and uses best available evidence to develop an appropriate plan of care. b. Participates in committees and teams to support revisions in clinical practice.
14. Demonstrates the ability to consider factors related to safety, effectiveness and cost in planning and delivering patient care. a. Evaluates factors related to safety, effectiveness, comparability, availability and cost when choosing between 2 or more options. b. Assists the patient and family to identify and secure appropriate and available services to address healthcare needs. c. Assigns or delegates aspects of care utilizing critical thinking to determine the appropriateness of delegating the task, in accordance with the DE State Nurse Practice Act. d. Assigns or delegates aspects of care based upon the assessed needs and conditions of the patient, the potential for harm, the stability of the patient's condition, and the competencies of the healthcare provider.
15. Demonstrates the following Maternal Child Health Department Activities a. Participate as a team member for Code Blue and Code Pink in the Maternal Child Areas b. Able to recognize, document in a timely and accurate fashion, and intervene effectively when a patient’s condition indicates an emerging breastfeeding issue. c. Recognizes an acute or life-threatening event with the appropriate action for the situation, i.e. life-threatening dysrhythmia, arrest, etc. d. Understands the need to be flexible within the Maternal Department. Remain flexible with patient care assignments by assisting with breastfeeding issues at both campuses e. Participates in staff meetings, case conferences, and departmental meetings at a minimum of 75% per year. f. Maintains a current knowledge of hospital and departmental policies, adheres to them, and references the manual as necessary to comply with current practice standards. Reviews and revises the lactation policies. g. Recognize the variations in defined family unit while supporting family centered care. h. Participates in education of the breastfeeding patient, family and community

Required Education, Credential(s) and Experience:

• Education: Nursing Diploma
  ;
  ; Must be a graduate of an accredited nursing program/university
  
• Credential(s): Registered Nurse
  Basic Life Support
  ;
  
  
  
• Experience: Required: New Graduate Preferred: Previous experience in area of practice.

Preferred Education, Credential(s) and Experience:

• Education: Bachelor Degree
  Nursing
  
  
  
Credential(s): Certification related to the position, if applicable.

• 
  
  
• Experience:

To view a full list of all open position at Bayhealth, please visit:

https://apply.bayhealth.org/join/