Lactation Consultant Nurse

WVU Medicine

2d

About The Position

The Lactation Consultant is an International Board of Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) health care professional that specializes in the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding through various methods of education, instruction, and follow-up of the breastfeeding couplet. The overall goals of the lactation consultant are to enable mothers and families to make informed infant feeding choices, initiate and maintain lactation, overcome obstacles, prevent premature weaning and enhancement of maternal role satisfaction.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a health science or related field.
• Certified Lactation Consultant through the International Board Certification Lactation Consultant examiners or must obtain within six (6) months of hire date.
• Obtain certification in Basic Life Support within 30 days of hire date.
• Two (2) years of experience in patient education or patient consulting

Nice To Haves

• Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN).
• Current Registered Nurse license issued by the state in which services will be provided or current multi-state Registered Nurse license through the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC).

Responsibilities

• Promotes breastfeeding advocacy through planned educational opportunities directed toward the roles of maternal, family and health care workers.
• Provides parent education for informed choice of infant feeding; nutritional recommendations for lactation; and the effects of medications, recreational drugs, herbs and home remedies related to lactation and infant health.
• Provides staff education through adult learning principles and on-going mentoring.
• Assures the delivery of comprehensive breastfeeding clinical support through the coordination and provision of expert patient care.
• Provides inpatient consultation (including the emergency department) with mothers who are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.
• Performs assessment of the mother-baby couplet identifying possible conditions or difficulties based on history, interview, and assessment that may impact breastfeeding and lactation.
• Provides information and problem-solving ideas to resolve breastfeeding difficulties through personal interaction and demonstration.
• Provides emotional support and crisis intervention directly to mothers and through staff mentoring.
• Acts as a breastfeeding advocate for the patient, incorporating the understanding of cultural differences related to breastfeeding couplet.
• Participates in the development and enhancement of policies, procedures, and standards of practice regarding breastfeeding.
• Assists in performance improvement activities.
• Bases decisions on relevant scientific principles, established standards of care and/or research findings.
• Integrates information gained through quality improvement activities and evidence-based practice.
• Consistently follows established standards of care, standards of practice, and policies and procedures.
• Collects data for quality improvement activities and assists in developing and analyzing data.
• Participates in research that may improve patient care.
• Participates in Performance Improvement activities as appropriate.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level