Lactation Consultant, Obstetric Services, Part Time, Varies

UC Health•West Chester, OH

2d•Onsite

About The Position

UC Health is hiring a part-time Lactation Consultant for Obstetric Services at West Chester Hospital. The OBSCU serves a diverse patient population with a broad range of diagnoses throughout pregnancy, including diabetic management, cardiac complications such as cardiomyopathy, preterm labor, and preeclampsia. It is a fast-paced environment where each day offers new learning opportunities. The Lactation Consultant provides safe, family-centered care by assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating lactation plans for breastfeeding or chest-feeding dyads and pumping parents. The role collaborates with patients, families, significant others, and health care team members, applying specialized knowledge and clinical expertise in breastfeeding, chest-feeding, and human lactation. The consultant promotes breastfeeding and supports mothers in achieving their own feeding goals. The position provides education and classes for patients, families, staff, and the community; serves as a resource and consultant for Maternal-Infant Health Services; coordinates follow-up care and referrals; and participates in quality improvement, research, and clinical practice improvement. The consultant works within the scope of practice defined by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE), follows applicable professional standards, and adheres to hospital policies and procedures. UC Health is an integrated academic health system serving Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. In partnership with the University of Cincinnati, it combines clinical care with research and teaching. UC Health describes its purpose as advancing healing and reducing suffering and offers opportunities to develop skills, grow a career, and build relationships with colleagues and patients.

Requirements

IBCLC certification from the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners.
BLS certification within 90 days of employment.
3–5 years of experience providing assessment, intervention, and planning in nutrition, health education, or lactation services for patients receiving care in an OBGYN facility or program.
High school diploma or GED, minimum required.
Knowledge and clinical skill in the physiology and clinical management of breastfeeding.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate lactation care plans for breastfeeding or chest-feeding dyads and pumping parents, in collaboration with patients, families, and the health care team.
Promote breastfeeding and support mothers in reaching their individual breastfeeding goals.
Provide antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum classes on breastfeeding, breast care, and related topics to inpatients and outpatients, individually or in groups.
Develop and implement standards of care and guidelines for assisting breastfeeding mothers across relevant organizational departments and services.
Plan, oversee, and coordinate patient, family, and staff breastfeeding education in coordination with Maternal-Infant Health Services.
Develop, review, and update educational content and materials based on current research and national standards, and maintain reference materials for patients, mothers, and health care providers.
Assess patient and family learning needs and priorities, adapt teaching plans, evaluate educational effectiveness, and document education and progress.
Evaluate breastfeeding-related equipment and maintain the breastfeeding room; support hospital employees who are breastfeeding.
Coordinate staff education and competency activities, maintain documentation, and review care routines and policies with clinical staff to identify successes and needs.
Serve as a consultant for Maternal-Infant Health Services on breastfeeding issues.
Establish and maintain patient contact and follow-up systems, including outpatient assistance, patient progress documentation, and telephone support.
Screen walk-in patients, telephone calls, and patient records; interview patients to assess medical and obstetrical history and health care needs; and identify conditions requiring physician intervention or follow-up.
Perform psychosocial assessments, recognize suboptimal changes in patient status, communicate with physicians, and document events and required paperwork.
Serve as a liaison, resource, and/or case manager; coordinate case conferences, the Breastfeeding Committee, support groups, referrals, and patient care services across providers and community support networks.
Assist patients in obtaining services and participate in community activities and professional and hospital lactation groups.
Participate in quality improvement, total quality management, and research processes; identify problems, design projects, collect and analyze data, track workload and processes, and apply findings to improve clinical practice and outcomes.
Conduct annual audits of breastfeeding initiation and continuation rates and assess the effects of protocol changes.
Provide population-appropriate communication and care, involve families in assessment and treatment, recognize relevant physical, behavioral, cultural, religious, and psychosocial needs, and respond appropriately to signs of abuse or neglect.
Follow the IBLCE scope of practice, professional standards, and hospital policies, procedures, and care guidelines.