Full Time Lactation Consultant

WVU Medicine

1d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is a 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 this role 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

• 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).
• Obtain certification in Basic Life Support within 30 days of hire date.
• Obtain Certified Lactation Counselor Certification through Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice OR Board Certified Lactation Consultant Certification through International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners within six (6) months of hire date.
• Five (5) years of nursing experience with at least three (3) years of experience in maternal/infant care.
• Knowledge of relevant scientific principles, established standards of care and/or research findings.
• Knowledge of procedures and techniques involved in administering routine and special treatments to patients.
• Knowledge of and appropriate application of the nursing process.
• Knowledge of professional theory, practice and procedure.
• Ability to communicate clearly with patients, families, physicians, and other employees.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in Nursing (BSN).
• Five (5) years of experience in maternal/infant care.

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.
• 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.
• Collects data for quality improvement activities and assists in developing and analyzing data, integrating information into clinical nursing practices.
• Participates in research that may improve patient care.

What This Job Offers

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