What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lactation Consultant position at Kaiser Permanente?
Job Summary:
NOTE: This job is currently under review for organizing into HNHP-HNS.
Responsible for the overall coordination, planning and management of patient, family and staff education related to breastfeeding. Collaborates with Physicians, Inpatient Nursing, Clinics, Special Delivery and Home Care to facilitate efficient and timely transition from hospital to home for breastfeeding mothers and babies. Identifies, assesses, and follows up with patients in need of post-hospitalization care.
Essential Responsibilities:
- Consults, educates, and advises lactating mothers with breastfeeding problems. Conducts patient and family interviews.
- Plans, organizes and delivers lactation management services to breastfeeding patients, both in-patient and outpatient. Consults with inter-disciplinary team members as required and adjusts plans as indicated to ensure optimal breastfeeding success and achievements of goals.
- Performs systematic follow-up on breastfeeding mother and baby referring any with abnormal findings to physician. Presents data to physician for review, decision and final action if needed.
- Calls mothers after discharge from hospital as appropriate. Makes appropriate in-house or outside community referrals.
- Provides accurate parental advice via Lactation Advice Line.
- Makes timely and appropriate referrals to Home Health or Clinic to ensure proper follow-up.
- Maintains documentation of assessment, lactation services provided, evaluation and follow-up in accordance with hospital policies, procedures and standards.
- Participates appropriately in communication and decision-making activities within the maternity, newborn, and pediatric services.
- Participates in the selection of appropriate breastfeeding related supplies and educational material for clients.
- Communicates with nursing staff and physicians and other staff as needed.
Qualifications:
Basic Qualifications:
Experience
- Minimum one (1) year of experience in Obstetric and/or Newborn nursing.
Education
- Graduate from accredited school of nursing.
License, Certification, Registration
- Registered Nurse License (Hawaii) required at hire
- International Board Lactation Consultant Examiners Certificate from International Board of Certified Lactation Consultants.
- Basic Life Support from American Heart Association
- Neonatal Resuscitation Program from American Academy of Pediatrics
Additional Requirements:
- Physical/Psychosocial assessment skills.
- Experience in lactation assessment and problem solving.
- Experience in teaching mothers.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bachelors degree in nursing.
